2026 Subaru Outback priced for Australia: SUV-style successor swaps Sport for Wilderness, slashes towing and adds buttons

Subaru Australia has confirmed the seventh-abilities Outback will reach in early 2026, with the long-awaited Barren space variant leading the fee, a configuration the local importer first mooted two years ago.

The unheard of-anticipated Barren space enhancement – equipped in traditional and flagship Barren space Apex – brings a more trail-focused specification that exclusively pairs a raised toddle peak and adaptive suspension with the fitment of a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

On the other hand, the contemporary Outback differ will additionally offer more familiar traditional variants armed with the 2.5L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine

Price of entry for the Outback has climbed by $4800, with costs kicking off at $48,990 before on-boulevard costs. The lineup tops out at $62,690 for the reside-spec Barren space Apex grade.

Subaru has dropped the neatly-liked Sport grade from the Outback lineup, and there would possibly perhaps be in the intervening time no word of a petroleum-hybrid variant corresponding to that equipped on the Forester midsize SUV.

SUV styling ushers in bigger practicality

Outback’s splendid rethink, and a trudge lamented by a host of the mannequin’s fans alive to on its distinctive lifted-wagon bear, is that Subaru has redesigned its flagship’s shape, “reflecting the Outback’s evolution from capable crossover to a more assured, more mature SUV”, says its maker.

While the 50mm taller cargo opening has easiest added an further eight litres of home for a contemporary strategy of 530L on paper, in accordance with VDA attempting out (which measures easiest from the flooring to the window line). Which means that, bigger features would possibly perhaps seemingly well seemingly seemingly be skilled in the precise world.

The bolstered roof now supports a static load of as a lot as 363kg, marking a principal jump from the old 318kg – in accurate records for roof-high tent customers.

Overhauled interior brings buttons relief

Reflecting an even bigger focal level on tactility, Subaru has reintroduced buttons to the interior of the Outback, with gains such because the climate alter no longer requiring customers to work along with the touchscreen.

The aforementioned touchscreen has been flipped from vertical to horizontal perspective, now measuring 12.1 inches in dimension and backed by improved hardware and more uncomplicated-to-navigate instrument, in accordance with Subaru. It joins a 12.3-trek digital driver’s expose as customary instruments.

Other customary points encompass heated front seats, a vitality-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar toughen, synthetic leather gleaming and a vitality tailgate. Nappa leather, a 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound machine and heated outboard relief seats are chanced on on elevated grades.

A beefy grade breakdown is chanced on below.

Punchier but thirstier engines

Subaru has again beefed up the outputs of the 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, now placing out 137kW/254Nm versus the frail tune of 138kW/245Nm.

The two.4-litre turbocharged motor has stepped as a lot as 194kW/382Nm from 183kW/350Nm.

Importantly, despite the real fact that, claimed gasoline consumption has climbed from 7.3L/100km to 8.0L/100km in the customary 2.5-litre mannequin, whereas the turbocharged probability jumps from 9.0L/100km to 9.7L/100km.

Barren space leads enhanced off-boulevard means

While the hard-core trail fans would possibly perhaps seemingly well seemingly gravitate against the contemporary Barren space, Subaru says it has upgraded the off-boulevard ability of all Outback grades.

This includes revised tuning of the customary X-Mode off-boulevard, the gripping torque destroy up alter unit and bigger 220mm flooring clearance (up from 213mm).

The lifted Barren space steps up flooring clearance to 240mm (more than a mature Ford Ranger 4×4 ute) and points come, breakover and departure angles of 20, 21.2 and 23.6 degrees, respectively.

Other upgrades encompass electronically controlled adaptive dampers and more evolved versions of ‘X-Mode’ to take care of Snow and Mud. The CVT transmission additionally points a shorter closing pressure ratio to aid off-boulevard using.

Towing slashed

As before, 2.5-litre equipped Outback devices gaze braked towing means capped at 2000kg, but 2.4-litre turbocharged devices – now on hand easiest on Barren space grades – are in actual fact capped at 2100kg, rather then the 2400kg restrict equipped on the old XT devices.

Tow ball weight is capped at 200kg and 210kg, respectively.

Sleek Subaru Outback lineup, grade-by-grade

The entry-stage Outback AWD grade is fitted with the next highlight points:

• 18-trek alloy wheels
• Heated front seats
• Powered driver seat with adjustable lumbar toughen
• Synthetic leather seat gleaming
• 12.1-trek infotainment conceal
• 12.3-trek digital instrumentation
• 9 SRS airbags
• Powered tailgate
• Roof rails

Stepping as a lot as the AWD Top fee provides:

• Heated steering wheel
• Eight-draw vitality adjustable front-passenger seat
• 360-diploma digicam
• Electrical sunroof
• 12-speaker Harmon Kardon sound machine
• Satellite navigation

Stepping as a lot as the AWD Touring provides:

• Nappa leather in either shaded or brown
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Auto-folding mirrors
• Sleek 18-trek alloy wheels

The Outback AWD Barren space grades are structured in every other draw, with the next customary points over the customary Outback AWD:

• Electronically controlled adaptive dampers
• Sleek 18-trek alloy wheels
• Dual tailpipes
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Wi-fi telephone charger
• Water repellent seat gleaming
• Uniquely LED fog lights

Sooner or later, the Barren space Apex provides:

• Electrical sunroof
• Satellite navigation
• 360-diploma digicam
• 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound machine

Subaru Outback 2026: costs in Australia

All costs listed are before on-boulevard costs.

• 2.5L AWD: $48,990 (+$4800)
• 2.5L AWD Top fee: $fifty three,490 (+$5800)
• 2.5L AWD Touring: $56,990 (+$4500)
• 2.4T AWD Barren space: $59,690 (contemporary)
• 2.4T AWD Barren space Apex: $62,690 (contemporary)