2026 Subaru Outback Gets Controversial Redesign

Despite deepfakes to the contrary that started circulating last year, Subaru is sticking with the wagon that made it famous for at least another generation.

OK, now’s the time for a quick disclaimer that the 2026 Subaru Outback isn’t really a wagon — it’s a crossover, dammit, the kind of vehicle people actually buy. And in fairness, the Legacy wagon that the Outback was once based on is long dead and gone, just like so many other longroof models that once graced the market.

A Wagon By Another Name

If that’s the kind of comfort you need to feel better about the idea of parking an Outback in your driveway, then so be it. (It’s not what you’d call denial, but it’s at least adjacent to it.) In reality, the model that’s become synonymous with the Subaru name itself enters its seventh generation with the same proportions it’s always had, albeit with a more boxy shape this time.

While not quite a Forester with a chopped top, it’s closer than it was before. Whereas the outgoing Outback boasted a somewhat sleeker look overall, the new body looks bigger — mostly because it is. Subaru didn’t release full measurement specifics at the time of this writing, but it noted a roofline that’s 50 mm (2.0 in) taller than the old one.

There’s long been a dichotomy drawn between the Outback and Forester, although they’ve both grown to the point that the overall volume inside is strikingly similar. Instead, it’s the way they’re packaged that sets them apart, with the Forester standing taller compared to the longer Outback.

While that remains the case, the Outback is even bigger this time, putting more space between them in the most literal sense. According to Subaru, volume behind the back seats now stands at 980 L — about 200 L more than what’s in the Forester. (For what it’s worth, the current Outback has 923 L of cargo room with the second-row seats upright.)

A Face Only a Mother Could Love

While the 2026 Outback’s boxier dimensions are a boon to the space inside, they come at the cost of aesthetics. And look, this is an entirely subjective matter; but the exterior styling is — well, it’s a lot. Forget that it doesn’t really tie in with anything else in Subaru’s current lineup — which, of course, could change in the not-too-distant future; it’s all just a bit out of sorts.

The profile isn’t so bad — although the flat-top fender arches are a little quirky — but the front and rear ends are rather bold, and that’s putting it politely. Those who advocate for automakers to end the evolutionary approach to design will no doubt be pleased with how different this version of the Outback looks, but the fascia in particular is a bit too busy, with no less than six individual light housings.

Graciously, the interior has gone back to a full panel of climate controls rather than the touch-integrated switchgear that was introduced with the previous generation, while the touchscreen is far more conventional this time. Fine, the 12.1-inch display is more square than rectangular, but it’s better than the portrait-oriented unit of old. It also sits higher on the dash.

That’s paired with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument display, marking a first for this model as it moves away from analogue gauges in front of the driver. That’s controlled by the same steering wheel Subaru has been using for years now, lending a sense of familiarity to an otherwise all-new space.

Familiar Mechanical Components

Also familiar is what’s under the hood, with the same choice of flat four-cylinder engines, one of which is turbocharged to provide a bit more punch when called upon. The standard setup is a 2.5L that’s shared with the Forester. It makes 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the upgraded 2.4L unit uses a turbocharger to generate 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are paired with an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and full-time all-wheel drive. The latter has been updated so the centre differential locks up more quickly, reducing wheelspin in the process, according to Subaru.

Heading Into the Wilderness

Those looking for a little more adventure-readiness will find it in the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness, with the popular treatment returning to this redesigned model. Not much has changed in terms of capability, with 241 mm (9.5 in) of ground clearance compared to the 220 mm (8.7 in) offered across the rest of the lineup, plus unique drive modes for off-pavement excursions.

That extra ride height is achieved through tweaked suspension components, including new electronically controlled dampers. Subaru said the system uses sensors that “detect road and vehicle conditions” and adjust damping force accordingly, increasing stability as a result. Other upgrades include all-terrain tires and underbody skid plates.

The new look is just as fussy here as it is elsewhere in the Outback lineup, with enormous lettering spanning the front and rear ends, and an assortment of anodized yellow accents inside and out. The most unique of the bunch are the bezels that surround the reverse lights, which are separate from the tail light housings.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Subaru Outback isn’t expected to hit the market until later this year — with the Wilderness version following in early 2026 — which means there’s plenty of time for all of us to grow accustomed to its controversial new looks. The styling certainly won’t be everyone, your humble author included, but on the bright side, the interior updates are welcome additions. Plus, you don’t have to look at the outside from behind the wheel.