Although it maintained a wagon-like body profile, for years the Subaru Outback was always classified as an SUV.
Well, that is no longer the case with the emergence of the fully redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback. The company abandoned the sloped-roof styling that gave it the wagon appearance. The Outback arrived this year with taller roof line and a more SUV-like silhouette. The new shape gives the Outback a more spacious interior.
Another thing to like regarding the standard Outback is it’s typically more affordable than its midsize SUV competitors, even though this year’s model has increased by approximately $5,000 to roughly $34,900. Subaru vehicles are also consistently ranked among the safest in the industry.
For 15 consecutive years, sales of the Outback have reached 100,000 or more, hitting a high of 188,886 in 2017. Last year sales of the Outback were 157,716.
Introduced in 1994, this year the two-row, midsize SUV is in its seventh generation. Like almost every Subaru vehicle, the Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, the primary reason for the brand’s longtime success. It sets the company apart from other auto manufacturers and makes its vehicles capable of safely navigating in rain, snow or dirt.
The standard Outback is fully capable of going offroad. It comes with symmetrical all-wheel drive, electronic X-mode that provides low-speed traction management, and has 8.7 inches of ground clearance.
However, if that is not enough, choosing the Wilderness version provides more. The ground clearance extends to 9.5 inches and additional features include all-terrain tires, dual-function X-mode for traveling through mud and deep snow, shorter axle gearing for better low-speed climbing, and a front skid plate.
Outback detractors will point out the SUV is bland, a characteristic of practically every Subaru, due in part to their stodgy exterior and no pizzazz interior. And like the rest of the lineup, the Outback has traditionally under-delivered in the performance department.
Speaking of performance, this year’s Outback once again has a lackluster base model engine. But we tested an Outback Limited with the optional turbocharged engine and it far outperforms the standard one. Note the starting price for the Limited model is around $43,200.
The optional engine is a turbo 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It travels 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds and is easily the most performance-laden Subaru we’ve ever driven. Fuel economy is average – 22-29 mpg.
The Outback’s base engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in a sluggish 8.5 seconds, but gets better gas mileage – 26-32 mpg. With an 18-gallon fuel tank, the estimated driving range is about 486 miles.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 SUBARU OUTBACK
- Performance: 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 180 horsepower; turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with 260 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 26-32 mpg; 22-29 mpg
- Price estimate: $34,900 to $47,900
- Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles; Drivetrain: 5 years/60,000 miles; Roadside assistance: 3 years/36,000; Corrosion: 5 years/unlimited
There’s no major excitement when getting behind the wheel of a standard Outback. Yet what one gets is dependability and an overall smooth, comfortable ride. Standard driver safety features include lane centering assist; pre-collision braking; lane departure warning; pre-collision throttle management; and advanced adaptive cruise control.
The interior received a complete makeover this year, adding a new 12.1-inch touchscreen that processes faster. We also like that Subaru brought back physical buttons and knobs for climate control, eliminating the need to frequently look away at menu screens.
The Outback cabin delivers comfort for all five passengers. Seating up front is spacious and supportive. Even adults relegated to the back seat will notice it has good head and leg room. The cargo area is solid as well, increasing slightly to 34.6 cubic feet of space and expanding to 80 cubes with the rear seats folded to the floor.
If dependable and established are two major criteria when shopping for a midsize SUV, the fully redesigned 2026 Subaru Outlook comes at a reasonable price and deserves a long look.
Jeffrey Weidel is an award-winning journalist from the Sacramento region who has written automotive reviews for nearly three decades and now appears in the Folsom Times. He can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com
Copyright © 2026 Folsom Times. All rights reserved.
