2026 Subaru Outback to Be Revealed Soon, Here’s What to Expect
Following the Crosstrek (2024) and Forester (2025), Subaru is preparing to introduce an all-new Outback for the 2026 model year. The debut will take place on April 16 at the New York Auto Show, and The Car Guide will be on hand to cover the event.
What you see above is the only official picture released by Subaru to whet our appetite. Behind the huge rooster tail of dirt is the rugged Outback Wilderness.
As you know, the Outback is one of Subaru’s most popular nameplates, but after 30 years on the market, the seventh generation will further separate from the high-riding wagon body style. As previously reported, spy shots that have surfaced online hint at a conventional crossover, with proportions more similar to those of the Forester and Ascent.
That’s a shame, and also a little hard to understand since the Outback owes part of its success to its unique configuration. On the other hand, since the majority of today’s consumers are obsessed with SUVs, it's not all that surprising.
Look for a safer, more spacious and more technologically advanced vehicle. The two four-cylinder engines, one of which is turbocharged, are likely to return, but the big news will be the addition of the Outback Hybrid, following in the footsteps of the Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid that will go on sale later in 2025.
Called e-Boxer, the technology combines a 2.5-litre engine with a pair of electric motors, a CVT and full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive. Output should increase from 182 hp to 194 hp, which isn't much, but the fuel savings will be more significant (we're betting close to 2 L/100 km). And let's not forget the added benefit of stronger low-end torque under acceleration. On the other hand, it's highly likely that only one hybrid model will be offered in Canada, slotting at the very top of the range.
As for the Outback Wilderness, which is more of a niche product, it’s expected to carry over most of the attributes that have defined the outgoing generation including extra body cladding and underbody protection, increased ground clearance, off-road tires, longer-travel suspension, dual-mode X-MODE and more.
By the way, Outbacks for the Canadian market currently all come from Indiana. Will Subaru Canada decide to import them from Japan in the wake of the trade war unleashed by the U.S. administration? See you on April 16 to find out.
