2026 Subaru Outback Debuts With New Tech, New Look, and Higher Prices

The Outback Entering Its SUV Era

The Subaru Outback has spent decades living in that rare space between wagon and SUV. In 2026, however, Subaru seems ready to let go of the old mold. The latest model leans into a more upright, athletic SUV profile, leaving only traces of its rugged-wagon roots behind. The design shift is paired with a lineup that includes the Wilderness variant, meant for drivers who hit trails more often than parking lots.

This move isn’t only about styling. Subaru used the model-year update to showcase the company’s newest in-house technology. The 2026 Outback becomes the first Subaru to get the brand’s next-generation infotainment, safety systems, and highway-assist features. The result is a model that feels like Subaru’s preview of where the brand is heading in terms of digital capability and driver-assist development.

Lots of Tech in the Pocket

The centerpiece of the upgrade is a new Subaru-exclusive 12.1-inch high-resolution multimedia display. It replaces the previous 11.6-inch unit and brings major image-quality improvements, plus anti-glare refinements that cut reflections dramatically. Under the hood is the Snapdragon 8 Automotive processor, an octa-core setup that improves response times, graphics performance, and overall system load capacity. Map swipes, menu transitions, and scrolling all work faster, while memory and storage have both doubled for future software expansion.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, with select trims gaining TomTom hybrid navigation and more advanced camera integration. A new 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster joins the lineup as well, offering configurable views and clearer graphics.

The Outback also debuts Subaru’s updated EyeSight system with new capabilities such as acceleration override assist, front and side alert assist with braking, and the first use of Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection in any Subaru. Touring and Touring XT trims go even further with limited hands-free highway operation, highway lane change assist, and pre-curve speed control. DriverFocus has been upgraded with better detection, a wider camera angle, and more precise gaze tracking.

Of Course They Go with a Higher Asking Price

The 2026 Outback lineup includes six trims: Premium at $34,995, Limited at $41,715, Touring at $45,395, Wilderness at $44,995, Limited XT at $44,365, and Touring XT at $47,995 – all of these don’t include destination and handling charges. Of note, these are a noticeable jump from the 2025 models, which started at $29,995 for the Base and topped out at $44,730 for the Touring XT. So, yes, more tech meant a higher asking price.

The core tech upgrades come standard across the lineup, while features like the advanced driving-assist suite are reserved for the upper trims. It creates a spread that lets buyers step into the new systems without jumping straight to the highest-priced models, while still giving Touring and Touring XT buyers access to Subaru’s most ambitious features.