Subaru Debuts 2026 Outback, Outback Wilderness Models at NY Auto Show

Subaru is staking a big presence at this year’s New York Auto Show, and one of the highlights will be the debut of its seventh-generation Outback. The familiar SUV will come in a variety of trims, including the sporty XT, as well as an upgraded version of the off-road-ready Outback Wilderness package. Here’s more.

It’s a notable year for the Subaru Outback. Thirty years after it made its debut – and began the transformation of a largely unknown Japanese manufacturer into an iconic brand – the SUV gets a complete makeover for 2026.

The seventh-generation Outback took its bow at the New York International Auto Show’s annual media preview on Wednesday and has plenty of new features – as well as an updated design – likely to draw traffic to the Jacob Javits Convention Center and, later this year, to Subaru showrooms.

Buyers will find even the bast Outback package to be well-equipped, all the more so with the sporty XT and off-road-oriented Wilderness trims. Here’s what we learned.

What’s new for 2026

While some basic elements – starting with the underlying platform — carry over, the 2026 Subaru Outback has undergone a major upgrade, starting with a top-to-bottom designer makeover.

Outback fans will still recognize the basic shape, but the gen-7 SUV boasts a more rugged SUV-like shape, rather than the wagon-like design that had been the norm for the prior three decades. That reflects the fact that Subaru has now discontinued the Legacy sedan that long shared that platform and limited how far designers could stretch things.

While details like the newly textured  grille and lower fascia, as well as the more upright glass and body panels may seem cosmetic, many of the updates are functional. The roof rails, for example, now can handle a 220-pound dynamic load and 800-pound static load – enough to support a tent. The rails have also been upgraded so they can be used for hanging a hammock or clothesline.

Interior redesign

The cabin undergoes an even more extensive redesign which also offers some functional improvements. At 34.6 cubic feet the 2026 Subaru Outback has about 2 cf more cargo space and a wee bit more breathing room, if you will, for passengers.

Subaru designers have never been wont to blindly follow industry trends and that’s clearly apparent in their decision not to move all controls to the 12.1-inch touchscreen. Instead, they provide the right balance of knobs, buttons and switches, particularly for the climate control system. The instrument panel also boasts a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster.

There’s plenty of technology, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And Outback gets the latest version of Subaru’s well-reviewed EyeSight driver assistance technology. Standard functions include front pre-collision braking, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. A number of other driver assistance functions, including Safe Lane Selection, Pre-Curve Speed Control, Highway Active Lane Change Assist and Highway Automatic Resume Assist are optional, as is the automaker’s Highway Hands Free Assist system – which can be used at speeds up to 85 mph.

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2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness

Subaru has grown into a wildly popular brand in Snowbelt climes and buyers have clearly embraced the Wilderness package added a few years back. While it might not take you out onto the most rugged trails in Moab, Utah, it’s more than enough for overlanding and moderately challenging off-roading. That should be even more so with the upgrade to the 2026 Wilderness trim.

Unlike the “ruggedized” packages offered by some key competitors, the Outback Wilderness is a serious option. It adds such useful upgrades as a more rugged suspension with new electronically controlled dampers, Subaru’s driver-selectable X-Mode – which adapts suspension to various road and driving conditions, such as snow, mud or sand. Add 17-inch all-terrain tires, matte black side mirrors, side cladding, headlamps and an expanded front bumper.

It now rides 0.8 inches higher than the rest of the Outback family, with 8.5 inches of ground clearance. And, notes Subaru, “The approach angle has been extended to 20 degrees compared to 18 degrees; ramp breakover moves up to 21.2 degrees compared to 19.4 degrees; and the departure angle increases to 22.5 degrees compared to 21.4 degrees.

Other upgrades include a ruggedized suspension with new electronically controlled dampers, Subaru’s driver-selectable X-Mode – which adapts suspension to various road and driving conditions, such as snow, mud or sand. Add 17-inch all-terrain tires, matte black side mirrors, side cladding, headlamps and an expanded front bumper.

Powertrain options

For 2026, Outback Wilderness buyers will get two powertrain packages.

• A newly updated 2.5-liter flat-four “Boxer” engine makes 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque;
• The Outback XT and Wilderness trims get a 2.4-liter turbocharged Boxer engine rated at 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines pair with a Lineartronic CVT gearbox with an 8-speed manual shift mode. All Outback models feature Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

On Wilderness models buyers will have an available trailer hitch upgrade with a combined 4- and 7-pin connector, and has a 3,500-pound towing capacity.

Pricing and availability

Look for most versions of the 2026 Subaru Outback to roll into showrooms late this year, though the new Wilderness trim won’t arrive until early in 2026.

As for pricing, Subaru isn’t ready to release those numbers. For one thing, it needs to figure out how much it might have to tack on due to the new Trump auto tariffs. They will impact even domestic-made products like Outback which will continue to be assembled at Subaru’s plant in Lafayette, Indiana.

The current model starts at $30,430, including delivery fees.