What to Know About the Redesigned 2026 Outback

The Outback has now entered its 7th design generation, marking an exciting new chapter! This is a significant change because it’s the first time the Outback isn’t connected to the Legacy sedan. That said, the Legacy will continue to be a practical and capable crossover that many drivers appreciate. Ewing Subaru of Plano is here to share all the details with you. 

It’s immediately apparent that the 2026 Outback has been redesigned. The front end appears bolder with a more upright, squared-off look. The black accents seen on the previous model’s front have been removed, except on the Wilderness trim, which features an integrated brush guard and cladding on the grille to protect it from scratches during off-road adventures. The headlights are recessed into the body color, with high-mounted daytime running lights (DRLs) replacing traditional eyes. The new Outback is taller but still maintains its practical wagon proportions. Behind the rear passenger door, a wider rear roof pillar accentuates the SUV’s ruggedness. 

Inside, the 2026 Subaru Outback offers a more relaxed, cleaner design, featuring carefully selected technology and eco-friendly materials like headliner inserts made from recycled plastic bottles. Premium, Limited, and Touring trims are all powered by a 2.5-liter normally aspirated horizontally opposed (Boxer) 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness models are powered by a twin-turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer 4-cylinder engine that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which also operates on regular fuel.  

Premium 

The model line begins with the Premium trim, with a starting MSRP of $34,995. Living up to its name, The Premium is equipped with a 12.1-inch center touchscreen with a portrait layout. This is the user-facing element of an all-new multimedia system that responds more quickly than before. As before, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ can connect wirelessly, and phone pairing and use of Bluetooth streaming are easy to engage. 

Also standard on the Premium is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. More signs that the least expensive Premium trim comes well equipped are heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and a multi-use cargo tonneau cover. An optional package for the Outback Premium is a fantastic addition, offering rain-sensing wipers, onboard cloud-based navigation, a wireless smartphone charger, a heated steering wheel, and a moonroof, all for just $2,270 MSRP. 

Limited and Limited XT 

The Limited has a starting MSRP of $41,715, while the Touring XT with the turbocharged engine has an MSRP of $44,365. Both models are equipped with upscale features such as an onboard navigation system, Harman Kardon® audio system, 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, power moonroof, heated outboard rear seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charger, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a matte black finish. The Outback Limited XT adds 19-inch aluminum-alloy black-finish wheels, a surround-view monitor, and dual exhaust outlets.  

Touring and Touring XT 

The Touring and Touring XT are the flagship models in terms of features. They have starting MSRPs of $45,395 and $47,995, respectively. The Touring rides on 18-inch machine-finish wheels, while the XT variant rides on 19-inch wheels and features dual exhaust outlets. Inside the spacious cabin, you’ll find Java Brown or Slate Black Nappa leather-trimmed perforated upholstery, ventilated front seats, a surround view monitor, higher-grade leather for the steering wheel, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and adjustable thigh support, and an auto-dimming smart rear-view mirror with HomeLink®. 

Wilderness 

The final model in the lineup is the off-road-focused Wilderness, which has a starting MSRP of $44,995. In addition to its 260-hp turbocharged engine, the Wilderness is ready to outperform similarly sized crossovers with 9.5 inches of ground clearance and all-terrain Bridgestone Dueler tires. It retains the effective X-MODE® Dual Mode System with Hill Descent Control and features electronically controlled dampers. Along with its distinctive front and rear bumpers and cladding, the Wilderness stands out with anodized copper accents on the exterior and interior. It also adds interior features from the Limited and Touring models, such as heated outboard rear seats and the Harman Kardon audio system. The seats are finished with attractive yet durable StarTex® upholstery. 

By the time you read this, the 2026 Subaru Outback should have become a part of the vast Ewing Subaru of Plano inventory. The 2026 Wilderness is expected to arrive in early 2026.