Hands on With The 2026 Subaru Outback
Is the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness worth it? We test its rugged design, turbo engine, adaptive suspension, and tech.
This Generation is Bigger and Bolder
It was 31 years ago that Subaru launched the Outback and since then, things have changed. Once firmly rooted in the station wagon space, the Outback has morphed significantly over the years. Becoming progressively more rugged and capable, Subaru has, for 2026, moved the Outback squarely into the crossover segment.
Kicking off generation seven, the shift is understandable as American consumers are infatuated with these carlike SUVs. For wagon enthusiasts, myself included, the change was hard to hear. But I have to tell you, after having spent a week driving the latest Outback, change can sometimes be good. Newly squared-off styling gives the Outback an SUV aesthetic, and when setup in Wilderness spec, like the example I drove, it works.
Carmakers have been on a ruggedization rampage of late (see: TrailSport, X-Pro, Rock Creek, et al.), and the Outback Wilderness follows suit in a bid to grab its share of the adventure-bound buyer. But Subaru goes beyond mere plastic cladding and tough styling by giving the Wilderness real off-road capability.
Rugged Styling with Modern Edge
I’m a sucker for automotive special touches, and the latest Outback Wilderness read me like a book. Gold-colored detailing, what Subaru calls Anodized Copper, sets off the fog lights, roof rack, and reverse lamps. You can also see it within the chunky Subaru Wilderness emblems affixed to the C-pillars. Common to the Wilderness lineup, these copper doodads look especially sharp against the Deep Emerald Green Pearl paint job on this particular car. I like.
Lifted an inch over its stock stablemates, the Wilderness boasts 9.5” of ground clearance (a Honda Passport TrailSport measures 8.3” for reference) and comes with white-lettered Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires to fill out those wheel wells.
It works, as does the big, blocky SUBARU logo dominating the front grille that reminds of an F-150 Raptor. To be sure, there is a whole lot of plastic cladding across the outside of the Outback, but that’s nothing new, and really, it is nice to see a crossover with a design that stands out from the herd.
A Look Inside the 2026 Subaru Outback
Subaru continues the copper treatment inside the Outback Wilderness, where it sets off the steering wheel, shifter, upholstery stitching, and seat tags. That upholstery is of the StarTex water-resistant variety, though you can option Nappa leather. It’s a comfortable, airy space for the driver that is winter-ready with heat for the front seats and steering wheel.
Though I was bummed to discover the heating element in the steering wheel did not extend to the topmost section, forcing me to keep my hands at 10 and 2. Safety first! The rear seats have heated outboard positions and 39” of legroom, but if you need 3 rows of seating, step up to the Ascent.
An upside to the Outback as a 5-seater is a cavernous cargo hold. I was able to stuff 7 carry-on-sized bags with the second row upright, and should you need more room, those seats fold down to offer 80 cubic feet of space for your stuff.
Technology Updates are Fast and Responsive
It’s an all-digital dashboard affair in the 2026 Outback Wilderness. A configurable gauge cluster is buttressed by a 12.1” infotainment display that plays a very nice animation of the, well, wilderness upon startup. A welcome mix of buttons and knobs accompanies the big touchscreen, which responded quickly and felt easy to navigate.
Wilderness models come standard with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system that was loud and crisp. These Outbacks, like much of the Japanese automaker’s lineup, are also stuffed with the latest in driver assistance as part of Subaru’s EyeSight system.
Based on NHTSA and IIHS safety ratings, Subaru leverages this technology into building safe cars. BUT, the level of alerting and reprimanding can be a lot. Particularly DriverFocus, which spits out reminders to keep your eyes on the road with remarkably high sensitivity…like looking over to turn off the seat heater, for example. That said, if the car can watch for a driver getting sleepy behind the wheel, I’m all for the beeping and buzzing.
How the 2026 Outback Feels from the Driver’s Seat
Adaptive dampers are what really set the latest Outback Wilderness part. New for 2026, these electronically controlled shocks can detect road and vehicle conditions to respond and adjust in real-time. Subaru says it functions like a skyhook system, and seat-of-the-pants measurements conducted through crater-sized potholes and over frost heaves here in New Hampshire bear that out. Underhood is a turbocharged 2.4L boxer-4 good for 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s a bit buzzy, and the CVT tends to drone, but that’s ok because this Outback is fast. Turbo lag was hard to find, and navigating highway merging was a breeze thanks to ample oomph.
Subaru’s symmetrical AWD system kept the Outback feeling planted in all conditions – we had a serious winter in New England – and the Dual-Function X-Mode system promises maximum low-speed grip should you find yourself mired in the snow or muck. As for regular driving around town, the windshield and windows deliver excellent visibility, and standard adaptive LED headlights are the unsung hero of nighttime driving. Bending around blind, pitch-black curves, these high-end lamps are simply excellent.
So, Is the 2026 Outback Worth It?
You can get into a 2026 Subaru Outback for $36,445, but the Wilderness variant adds a hefty $10,000 to that baseline figure. Factor in the extra-cost Deep Emerald Green Pearl paint, optional sunroof and surround-view monitor like my example had, and you’re looking at nearly $49,000 out the door with destination (making the latest new car incentives all the more important). However, Subaru justifies that price jump with several key upgrades over base versions. Namely, the 260-hp turbocharged powertrain. Entry-level Outbacks make 80 fewer horsepower and are down nearly 100 lb-ft of torque, thanks in part to natural aspiration.
I haven’t driven an Outback with that motor, but I will say the boosted setup is responsive and punchy. On top of this, Wilderness trims add a healthy dose of rough-roading gear to go with the rough and tumble looks. It may not be for everyone, but it ought to give anyone enough capability to enjoy ample off-pavement adventuring. And those adaptive dampers did a commendable job of keeping the cabin isolated from impacts on tattered asphalt, making the setup ideal whether you plan to off-road or not.
In New Hampshire, it feels like you’re not really part of the locals club unless you own a Subaru. For those looking to become a member, the latest Outback Wilderness would be a good place to start.
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