Posted Monday, July 6, 2026 at 11:16pm
Subaru has never been afraid to do things differently, but few changes have sparked as much debate as the latest evolution of one of its most iconic nameplates. Longtime fans questioned whether the brand had abandoned what made the model special, and early sales figures suggested those concerns might have been justified.
Fast forward a few months, however, and the picture looks very different. Buyers appear to be warming to the redesign, sales momentum is building, and a strong performance across the wider lineup suggests that the Japanese automaker may have weathered one of its most turbulent periods. The comeback story that once seemed unlikely is finally beginning to take shape.
When the new Outback was revealed, there was quite a large outcry from brand loyalists. Subaru has effectively pulled it away from its station wagon roots and made it look more like an SUV than anything else. Existing buyers were upset that the Japanese automaker had strayed from its roots, and its sales suffered in its first couple of months on dealership floors. After some struggles, though, things have started to turn around.
