Posted Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 9:33pm
After introducing the Outback as an option on the Legacy in the 1990s, Subaru eventually spun the nameplate off into its own distinct model. In doing so, the Japanese automaker created what has been one of the most successful and enduring station wagons on the American market.
Oddly enough, for the Outback’s 30th anniversary, Subaru finally succumbed to the crossover epidemic and made the model look more like a midsize SUV than ever before. Completely redesigned inside and out, it’s no longer a high-riding station wagon on account of its split headlights, taller roofline and boxier shape.
As such, even though Subaru made only minor changes to the Outback’s flat-four powertrain, the vehicle does bring some significant upgrades when it comes to the user experience.
