When the dust settles and the horizon calls, one name continues to define rugged capability and untamed adventure: Subaru Outback Wilderness. And in 2026, Subaru redefines what’s possible-again.
Revealed at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness isn’t just another upgrade-it’s an off-road revolution, sculpted for explorers who see asphalt as just the beginning.
Forged in the Wild: Performance That Commands Nature
At its heart lies Subaru’s tried-and-true turbocharged 2.4-liter SUBARU BOXER® engine, delivering a powerful 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Whether you’re carving switchbacks or crawling through mud, this powerplant ensures every twist of the wheel packs confidence.
The 2026 Wilderness SUV brings 9.5 inches of ground clearance, more than many full-size SUVs, and pairs it with a fully reengineered suspension system featuring electronically controlled dampers. These dampers use real-time acceleration data to deliver a “skyhook” ride-minimizing sway, maximizing stability.
Subaru’s X-MODE Dual Mode System has also evolved, giving drivers specific control with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings. This works alongside the revised Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, which boasts quicker center differential lockup and advanced steering angle integration-boosting grip and precision on everything from dirt trails to winding highways.
And when the path gets murky? All-terrain Bridgestone Dueler tires mounted on exclusive 17-inch matte black wheels ensure traction never takes a break.
Designed to Roam: Rugged Looks with Refined Utility
With its commanding stance and bold features, the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness doesn’t whisper capability-it shouts it. A restyled front fascia, matte black cladding, hexagonal LED fog lights, and anodized copper-finish accents across roof rails and lights scream adventure-ready.
Function meets form with reinforced underbody protection and ladder-type roof rails rated to carry an 800-pound static load-perfect for rooftop tents and heavy gear. The revised angles-20° approach, 21.2° breakover, and 22.5° departure-mean this Subaru is more nimble and aggressive off-road than ever before.
Inside the Beast: Comfort, Control, and Clean Design
Subaru continues its commitment to durability and sustainability with StarTex animal-free, water-resistant seating surfaces, now paired with new luxury touches like available ventilated front Nappa leather seats, a moonroof, and-for the first time ever-a 360-degree Surround View Monitor.
Tech-forward drivers will appreciate the seamless integration of a 12.1-inch Subaru Multimedia Plus touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. With full-screen wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air updates, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and HD Radio, every journey is connected and immersive.
Smarter Storage for Bigger Adventures
Need to pack for the long haul? With 34.6 cubic feet of cargo space-up 2 cubic feet from its predecessor-the 2026 Outback Wilderness welcomes gear, pets, and everything in between. New utility hooks, anchorable in eight locations, allow for innovative storage configurations, while the recycled-material cargo cover multitasks as a gear hammock or pet barrier.
Add in a factory-fitted 3,500-pound towing capacity and a newly designed trailer hitch with 7-pin and 4-pin connectors, and the Outback Wilderness proves it’s as serious about play as it is about performance.
Built with Purpose, Driven by Passion
Subaru doesn’t just build vehicles-it builds with values. Manufactured in zero-landfill plants and guided by the Subaru Love Promise, the 2026 Outback Wilderness is more than a car-it’s a commitment to community, sustainability, and adventure.
With a launch expected in early 2026, pricing and final specs will be revealed soon-but one thing’s for certain: the Subaru Outback Wilderness isn’t just returning. It’s roaring back, ready to own the wild.
Source: Subaru
