See the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness from the Outside

Read the Full Review | See Interior Photos

The Subaru Outbackhas abandoned its wagon-style design for the 2026 model year, embracing a more conventional SUV appearance. The Wilderness trim introduces some tough-looking design elements.

The jury remains undecided about the Outback's new design. Although its more squared-off shape enhances passenger and storage space, we long for the distinctive wagon style of earlier models.

Equipped with fairly moderate Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, the Wilderness had difficulty maintaining grip at several instances during our off-road trip.

We managed to fit 12 carry-on suitcases in the Outback's storage area while keeping the rear seats in the upright position. When the second row was lowered, the number went up to 29.

The 2026 Subaru Outback features two four-cylinder engine options; the Wilderness trim includes the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The Wilderness features a distinctive grille that replaces the standard model's honeycomb design with a more rugged hexagonal pattern, displaying "Subaru" prominently at the front.