Subaru has confirmed the heavily revised seventh generation Outback is coming to Australia in 2026 and will bring with it an edgier design, a larger chassis and a price increase of almost $5,000 at the lower end.
The latest version of Subaru’s car-like “large” SUV was unveiled at the New York Motor Show in April this year, showcasing boxier proportions with more aggressive styling and a taller roofline, as well as significantly improved interior technology.
Australian specifications The statements leaked in government documents earlier this year have now been confirmed Local pricing for the new model via a recorded video presentation. The five-variant Outback range now starts at $48,990 before travelthat’s $4,800 more than the previous model at the bottom of the range.
Notably, the seventh-generation Outback also marks the local introduction of Subaru’s previously US-only Wilderness off-road sub-brand in Australia, which could open the door for other flagship Wilderness variants of models such as the Forester midsize SUV and Crosstrek small SUV.
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Wilderness enhancements include a turbocharged engine with more power and torque than the previous Outback XT, water-repellent upholstery, adaptive suspension (similar in design to the WRX tS), a 20mm increase in ride height (up to 240mm), a braked towing capacity of 2,100kg and unique exterior styling.
Under the hood of the regular Outback there is still a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 137kW of power and 245Nm of torque. These numbers are virtually identical to the previous model.
Like every other Subaru for sale in Australia (with the exception of the BRZ coupe), the new Outback is exclusively four-wheel drive and power is delivered via an eight-speed continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as standard.
The Outback Wilderness, meanwhile, gets a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine producing 194kW and 382Nm. Compared to the previous Outback XT, which used the same engine configuration, power has increased by 11kW/32Nm. You can no longer get a turbocharged Outback unless it is a Wilderness.
Subaru has equipped all new Outbacks with its new dual-pinion steering system, as seen on the WRX and Forester. According to the brand, this is intended to provide a crisp, sporty feel with improved responsiveness without compromising on everyday drivability.
Additionally, the revised Subaru Global Platform on which the Outback is built has been stiffened to improve off-road performance while reducing vibration and noise for normal driving. Ground clearance has also increased from 213mm to 220mm, matching the Forester and Crosstrek.
Inside, the new Outback has been completely technically redesigned. The vertical 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen is gone, replaced by a nearly square 12.1-inch unit that sits high on the dashboard.
This new screen runs the latest version of the Subaru operating system and offers wireless smartphone mirroring as standard. Much to my delight Daily SparkzAccording to the road test team, the car’s climate controls once again consist of a physical array of buttons and dials, rather than the screen-only configuration of the old vertical unit.
There’s also a new customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that will be standard across the Outback range and appears to be graphically unique compared to the top-spec Forester’s instrument screen. These screens have never been seen in an Australian Subaru and it’s safe to say they’re a much-needed upgrade.
New safety equipment includes Subaru’s updated EyeSight driver assistance technology, consisting of front radar and a wide-angle monocular camera, which enables active lane change assist on some variants. The brand’s new emergency stop system has also been adopted from the Forester, which safely stops the vehicle if it detects that the driver has stopped responding.
The exterior redesign was substantial, with a new, more upright front fascia, vertically positioned headlights and aggressive black plastic cladding being the highlights. The situation is similar at the rear, where the unique “OUTBACK” lettering and the embossed “SUBARU” lettering can now be seen.
The Mk7 Outback’s local arrival in 2026 will come just months after its US release, representing a much shorter delay than the nearly two-year gap between the outgoing Outback’s launch in the US and Australia. Like this model (and despite much speculation), all Outbacks delivered in Australia will continue to be built in Japan.
2026 Subaru Outback AWD trim highlights:
- 18-inch light alloy wheels (dark metallic finish)
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED fog lights
- Ladder style roof rails
- Electric tailgate
- Artificial leather upholstery (NEW)
- Leather-covered steering wheel
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support
- Heated front seats (NEW)
- 12.3-inch digital instrument display (NEW)
- 12.1-inch infotainment cluster (NEW)
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- 9 airbags (+1)
- Subaru EyeSight
- Wide-angle monocular camera (NEW)
- Emergency stop system (NEW)
- Subaru Vision Assist
- Blind spot monitor
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Reverse AEB
- Front side radar (NEW)
- Driver monitoring system (NEW)
- X-Mode driving mode
Outback AWD Premium adds:
- Heated steering wheel
- 8-way electrically adjustable passenger seat
- Satellite navigation
- Electric sunroof
- Surround view camera
Outback AWD Touring adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (machined)
- Nappa leather upholstery (brown trim optional)
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Wireless charger
- Driver monitoring system with automatic side mirror and driver seat adjustment (NEW)
- Harman Kardon sound system with 12 speakers
2026 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness trim highlights:
- Unique exterior and interior design with Wilderness branding
- Unique LED fog lights
- 2100 kg braked trailer
- 240mm ground clearance
- Adaptive suspension
- Water-repellent padding with Wilderness embossing
- Heated steering wheel
- Wireless charger
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Copper interior accents
- Double tailpipes
- X mode (2 modes)
Outback AWD Wilderness Apex adds (via Wilderness):
- Electric sunroof
- Satellite navigation
- Harman Kardon sound system with 12 speakers
- Surround view camera
Pricing for the 2026 Subaru Outback is as follows:
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Subaru Outback AWD | $48,990 (+$4800) |
| 2026 Subaru Outback AWD Premium | $53,490 (NEW) |
| 2026 Subaru Outback AWD Touring | $56,990 (+$4500) |
| 2026 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness | $59,690 (NEW) |
| 2026 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness Apex | $62,490 (NEW) |
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