A slow base engine and the inability to option the decent turbo motor on the regular trim grades hobble the new Subaru Outback, which is otherwise an impressive wagon.
Chasing Cars founder Tom Baker reviews the 2026 Outback in Wilderness and standard specification, on and off-road. We look at engines, power, handling, ride quality, interior, technology, pricing and more.
Time codes:
0:00 – Big changes to the Outback
0:57 – Wilderness vs standard models
1:15 – Pricing
1:30 – Interior
3:40 – Back seats
4:14 – Styling
4:43 – Boot and cargo space
5:27 – Driving dynamics
7:19 – Underpowered 2.5L engine
8:46 – 2.4 turbo engine
10:00 – Ride quality
10:38 – Off-roading capability
11:35 – Fuel economy test
12:00 – Servicing and warranty
12:10 – Verdict
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How would you compare this car with the Mazda CX 50
and where is the hybrid version? I'd at least like good fuel economy if I am buying a slow car…
If in the wilderness you're going to pretend to be a 'proper' off road vehicle, then you really need low range and preferably some mechanical diff locks too. The absence of these is acceptable in the standard, non-wilderness, as it's a saloon with enhanced capability like most Subies. Sad to see how Subaru are trying their best to be like everyone else, and in doing so have forgotten to be themselves.
This is how the Japanese built cars in 2026.
Agreed. Don’t know what they were thinking.
OH!!! Shit. people have got to get rid of this STUPID idea of calling cars SUV's. It's a FUCKING WAGON FFS!!! Originally, we had sedans, ute's, hatch backs, THEN the roof line was extended and we had WAGONS. Range Rovers are wagons. Rav's are wagons, Wagons are wagons. Kia, Hyundai etc. ALL make SUV's which are wagons!!! STOP trying to rebrand and re-market a simple car. OK, I get it, some people don't like to think they are driving an "Estate". But guess what people…they are fucking wagons. Call them for what they are. AND so-called self branded auto journalists should NOT be promulgating the issue by going along with this stupid and insidious fake line of marketing. Extended roof line….WAGON!
Subaru might be keen to position the Outback as an alternative to several popular SUVs, but many prospective owners would want tow, at least occasionally. Its towing capacity doesn’t come close, and it has a CVT gearbox!!
It looks like it was designed by Minecraft builders
Who is in charge of the direction of this company? Some of the decisions are appealing. Also, I get wanting to compete with the Everest etc, but they should have spent the last 10 years redeveloping the discontinued Tribecca for that – leave the wagon alone! Now both the Forester and Outback are basically SUVs 🤦🏽♂️
ONLY Australia does not get Outback touring with turbo engine.
Over the years I had an XV, Forester XT and now an Outback touring non turbo. Forester XT was the best car with 2 liter turbo engine 189 KW and 10 liter/100km in the city. Why did they kill that engine.?
NOW you have a 2.4 liter turbo with the same output power.
Always the specifications for Australia were less than for other countries for the same price or even more expensive considering also the exchange rate . Not sure i will buy the forth Subaru. Jaecoo J 8 -real luxury and power for a very decent price
右ハンドルじゃん！！
I have the outgoing XT. This new gen is Fugly, inside and out. Except for the stupid hvac controls and intrusive tech I really like the 2024 XT. But there is 1 major complaint, being you can't turn traction control off. Subaru have made a great car with a mechanically high ceiling given it's also VERY comfortable but it's capped buy the tech which robs the fun factor and what I would like to do with it off road. Which is what I thought suburb was famous for. I won't buy another given there is competition that is almost as comfortable but has the ability to turn off the tech.
No genuine leather on top spec, no memory seats on top specs, no ventilated seats on top spec, no improved EyeSight system on top spec. Downgraded and less visible tailight setup on Wilderness's model. Then what is the reason to buy a top spec car when you are missing luxury features, even if you bought a 2.5 touring there is no 360 camera and turbo engine. This is a major miss from Subaru Australia. Subaru is going to loose a lot of sales over this new Outback.
I have a 2022 Outback Touring and love the ventilated seats in Sydney's humidity. Subaru have decided that they can get away with forcing new customers into the Wilderness so as to get the 2.4 litre Turbo relative to the competition's equipment overings. Their marketing creed is definitely: "Give them only just enough, keep them wanting more for next time." All companies do this but Subaru and Toyota turn it into a major product succession driver.
Yep, no turbo will kill the standard car. The old one is great
Every subie model should be turbo
Subaru should always be:
AWD
Boxer
Turbo
Functionality over style
Reliable
Mid priced
I used to be a big Subaru fan but this has truly got to be one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen
Ruined the outback
Still only just as powerful as my 3.6R 2017 Outback in the turbo form though undoubtedly a bit more economical to run.
This should have been a 5+2 seater with that boxy design.
Subaru should reinstate the classic Outback design with the 2.4T, perhaps call it the Liberty, and market the new Outback as its [fugly] SUV.
It’s just so ugly and dorky looking, especially the Wilderness model with chintzy orange plastic. Yuk!
🤮
Subaru have been a letdown for a long time now. It took toyota for them to make one actually exciting car.
I'd rather buy a runout Touring XT.
We were thinking of upgrading our 2017 Outback. I don't know what the designers were drinking while they designed this model but man, it's seriously ugly. The wheel arches……. obviously they broke up some freight pallets, nailed them around a wheel arch gap, took photos and there we have it. 🤮
I, I , I , me, me, me. How many times do you say this mate…Not good enough for 2026..,for you,. Are you buying one? Think like the buyer dude. People who buy outbacks aren’t 30 something hipsters. I love my WRX and if I was buying an outback I wouldn’t bork at the2.5. Out of touch with the buyers. I bet the NA orback would smash an MUX or Prado in a drag race.But that’s not why you buy one.
Страх Божий 😂