The 2026 Subaru Outback: Everything You Need to Know

Expect Subaru to stick to the same formula — but deliver some much-needed changes.

Published December 15, 2023

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The Subaru Outback is the OG crossover and a mainstay for the brand in America. The Outback is one of the cars we recommend most frequently. If you need a bit of off-road capability, it’s arguably the best all-around affordable vehicle on the market. Subaru has been steadily rolling out its next-gen SUVs. And the next-generation Outback may make its debut sometime in 2024 — but likely as a 2026 model year vehicle.

Here’s what we know so far about the 2026 Subaru Outback.

When will the new Subaru Outback arrive?

Subaru likes a tight six-year product cycle. The Crosstrek launched in 2023 for the 2024 model year (after launching in 2017 for the 2018 model year). The new Forester is launching in 2024 for the 2025 model year (after launching in 2018 for the 2019 model year). Barring unforeseen delays, we expect the new Outback will arrive a year later in 2025 for the 2026 model year.

Development on the new Outback is far enough along that Subaru dealers received “a peek behind the curtain” in early 2023.

Will the new Subaru Outback get a new platform?

Probably not. Subaru’s recently launched vehicles — BRZ excepted — have been sticking with the Subaru Global Platform for a second go-around. The 2025 Forester was a very incremental update mechanically. We expect the Outback will follow suit as Subaru shifts its development focus to EVs.

Will the new Subaru Outback offer a hybrid powertrain?

Probably. The Outback’s biggest weakness compared to its rivals is fuel economy and not offering a hybrid option. Expect that to change. Subaru has said the Forester is getting a hybrid in 2025. Expect the Outback to follow suit.

Subaru has not yet provided any insight into what the hybrid powertrain for the Forester will look like. However, we can expect Subaru to lean heavily on Toyota hybrid tech.

Will the new Subaru Outback go electric?

Subaru has not announced an electric Outback yet. But an Outback EV is possible. Subaru is pivoting hard toward EVs. The brand announced plans to unveil three new EV crossovers by 2026 and sell 200,000 EVs globally in the same year. It would be more surprising if Subaru didn’t lean into powerful, existing brands like the Outback to ease that process.

What will the new Subaru Outback look like?

a white car parked on a dirt road with trees and grass

The 2025 Forester should preview some changes heading for the Outback. Styling has been consistent over the generations; we expect the Outback to still look like an Outback. But trendy features like the flatter panels and light bar extending the width of the vehicle will likely be coming to the Outback as well.

Will the new Outback get a Wilderness trim?

We would bet that it will. The off-road-ready Wilderness treatment has been a popular offering. Subaru has been expanding it throughout the lineup. And we’d be shocked if Subaru did not offer an Outback Wilderness at (or very shortly after) launch.

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