Posted Friday, March 27, 2026 at 11:02pm
Subaru did something a bit controversial last year: The company rolled out a new version of the quintessential Subaru, the Outback midsize SUV.
Redesigned to look more like an SUV and less like a wagon, which the Outback has traditionally been equated with, the 2026 model is now a bit more square front and back, is slightly taller and offers a bit more cargo space. But more than that, it offers more standard luxury features—the company eliminated the entry level model—and an upgraded the Wilderness edition.
The result is a model that should prove both more competitive in the midsize all wheel drive SUV segment and appeal to Subaru buyers. The Outback trails the Forester and Crosstrek in sales but if changes to the 2026 model prove to be a lure, it could prove more profitable. And, it should be competitive against the Toyota RAV4 (now with a standard hybrid powertrain), the leader in the category and the one to steal share from; the RAV4 has about three times the sales of the Outback but not the ardent fan base.
