Subaru of America, Inc. has unveiled the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, commemorating the iconic SUV’s 30th anniversary. This seventh-generation Outback continues its legacy of combining legendary capability and utility with an adventure-ready exterior and a modern interior. Standard features for the 2026 Outback include Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, the latest EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, an all-new 12.1-inch Subaru Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and a 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster.
The Subaru Outback, a flagship model for the brand, has sold over 3 million units in the U.S. since its introduction 30 years ago, becoming a cultural symbol of outdoor adventure. The 2026 model will be available in Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness trim levels, with its market launch slated for late 2025.
The exterior of the 2026 Subaru Outback takes a bolder styling direction while staying true to its practical roots. The front fascia is stronger and broader, featuring vertically placed headlights and a more upright design with body-color elements framing the headlights and a larger grille. The lower front fascia is textured for enhanced scratch resistance and improved aerodynamics. The side profile maintains its signature proportions but adopts a boxier silhouette to emphasize and durability, complemented by a flatter roofline that highlights the generous cargo and passenger space. A wider rear roof pillar adds to the robust appearance. Standard raised roof rails offer an 800-pound static load capacity and a 220-pound dynamic load rating, along with crossbar measurement markers and a first-ever lateral load capacity of up to 220 pounds. The rear design features a new light signature, a steeper rake on the rear glass for more cargo space, and aerodynamic, scratch-resistant cladding on the lower fascia. The Outback nameplate and an embossed SUBARU brand on the lower rear fascia complete the look.
Inside, the 2026 Subaru Outback features a calmer, clean line design with thoughtfully integrated technology and materials, including headliner inserts made from recycled plastic bottles. The new 12.1-inch infotainment display and 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster are aligned for optimal convenience. The upper dash panel and interior layout are designed for continuity and everyday usability, with dedicated hard-button and knob controls for climate settings. The center console cupholders are redesigned for easier use, and the door bottle holders now accommodate 32-ounce bottles.
The 2026 Subaru Outback boasts an all-new Subaru 12.1-inch infotainment display powered by an advanced processor for increased responsiveness and customizability. A new vertically oriented menu bar provides quick access to navigation, music, and telephone functions, while an updated information bar displays vehicle status and outside temperature, offering fast access to Subaru’s new cloud-based voice recognition. Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® compatibility are standard, allowing for full-screen or embedded views. Climate controls are now operated via hard buttons below the touchscreen. The infotainment system includes a hybrid navigation system that combines cloud-based and onboard data for efficient map downloads. The 2026 Outback also features a standard 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster with selectable views, including a calming Calm Mode, a traditional Normal Mode, and a map-focused mode. When connected to a smartphone, it can also project turn-by-turn navigation from apps like Apple Maps, and an EyeSight®-focused Mode provides a clear view of the road and surrounding vehicles.
The 2026 Subaru Outback offers more passenger and cargo space than previous models. The cargo capacity is now 34.6 cubic feet, a 2 cubic feet increase, with a 2-inch taller cargo area and a 43.3-inch wide load floor. Flexible interior utility hooks provide tie-down points and can hold up to 6 pounds in the liftgate. Front and rear passengers benefit from increased headroom, and new low-fatigue seats mounted directly to the chassis enhance long-distance comfort and reduce head movement. Lateral sway has been reduced by 42%, and an adjustable driver’s seat cushion offers better leg support. The cabin is quieter due to sound-absorbing materials in the roof and headliner, and wind noise is reduced by 10%. Redesigned front cupholders are more accessible, and a new clip secures smartphone charging via standard USB ports. A standard, configurable, and washable tonneau cover made from recycled materials is included in the cargo area.
Every 2026 Subaru Outback comes standard with the latest-generation EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology, including features like Front Pre-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Lane Departure Warning. New available features include Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection, Pre-Curve Speed Control, and Highway Hands Free Assist up to 85 mph on designated highways. The updated EyeSight® system uses three forward-facing cameras and new radar sensors. Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection is a first for Subaru, activating if the driver becomes unresponsive while using Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control. Certain trims offer Highway Hands Free Assist for reduced driving fatigue. A new wider-angle mono camera enhances pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a standard haptic-feedback steering wheel provides quicker warnings.
Powertrain and Performance Details: The 2026 Subaru Outback is available with a revised 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a Lineartronic® CVT with an 8-speed manual shift mode and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Outback XT models and the Outback Wilderness feature a 2.4-liter turbocharged Subaru BOXER® engine delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, also mated to a Lineartronic® CVT with an 8-speed manual shift mode and Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. All trims are equipped with a revised X-MODE® system, now controllable via a steering wheel-mounted switch, and a revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system with faster center differential lockup and steering angle data integration for improved stability. The 2026 Outback features an enhanced steering system derived from the WRX, offering a more direct and natural feel with greater responsiveness. All models have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, with available 19-inch wheels on certain trims and 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires on the Wilderness trim.
Summary:
- All-new seventh-generation Subaru Outback revealed.
- Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and latest EyeSight® technology.
- New 12.1-inch Subaru Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™.
- 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster standard.
- Bolder exterior design and modern interior with recycled materials.
- Increased passenger and cargo space.
- Upgraded and advanced safety features, including available Highway Hands Free Assist.
- Revised 2.5-liter and 2.4-liter turbocharged SUBARU BOXER® engines.
- Enhanced X-MODE® system and steering.
- 8.7 inches of ground clearance on all models.
Disclaimer: Horsepower and torque figures are based on manufacturer’s estimates. Driving conditions may affect performance.
Source: Subaru
AI Assistance: Chatgpt
