Subaru has confirmed the heavily revised seventh-generation Outback is coming to Australia in 2026, when it will bring an edgier design, a larger body, and a price rise of nearly $5000 at the bottom of the range.
The newest iteration of Subaru’s wagon-like ‘large’ SUV was revealed at the New York motor show in April this year, showcasing boxier proportions with more aggressive styling and a higher roofline, and vastly improved interior tech.
Australian specifications leaked in government documents earlier this year have now been confirmed, along with local pricing for the new model, via a recorded video presentation. The five-variant Outback range now starts at $48,990 before on-roads, which is $4800 more than the outgoing model at the bottom of the lineup.
Notably, the seventh-gen Outback will also mark the local launch 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 like the Forester mid-size SUV and Crosstrek small SUV.
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Wilderness enhancements include a turbocharged engine with more power and torque than the outgoing Outback XT, water-repellent upholstery, adaptive suspension (similar in design to the WRX tS), a 20mm lift in ride height (up to 240mm), 2100kg of braked towing capacity, and unique exterior styling.
Under the bonnet of the regular Outback is still a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 137kW of power and 245Nm of torque. These figures are practically identical to the outgoing model.
As with every other Subaru on sale in Australia (except the BRZ coupe), the new Outback is exclusively all-wheel drive, and power is sent through 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 outgoing Outback XT, which used the same engine configuration, outputs are up by 11kW/32Nm. You will no longer be able to get a turbocharged Outback unless it’s a Wilderness.
Subaru has fitted all new Outbacks with its new dual-pinion steering system, as previously seen on the WRX and Forester. According to the brand, this is intended to provide a sharp, sporty feel with improved response, without compromising on everyday drivability.
Additionally, the revised Subaru Global Platform on which the Outback is built has been stiffened for improved off-road performance, while vibration and noise have been reduced for normal driving. Ground clearance is also up from 213mm to 220mm, matching the Forester and Crosstrek.
Inside, the new Outback has received a complete tech overhaul. Gone is the 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen, replaced with a 12.1-inch almost-square unit that sits high on the dashboard.
This new screen runs the latest iteration of Subaru’s operating system and offers wireless smartphone mirroring as standard. Much to the joy of CarExpert‘s road test team, the car’s climate controls are once again a physical array of buttons and dials, rather than the screen-only setup in the old vertical unit.
There’s also a new 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster that will be standard across the Outback range, which looks to be graphically unique compared to the instrument screen fitted to top-spec Foresters. These screens haven’t been seen in an Australian Subaru before, and it’s safe to say they appear to be a much-needed upgrade.
New safety gear includes Subaru’s updated EyeSight driver-assistance tech, comprising front-side radar and a wide-angle monocular camera, facilitating active lane-change assist for some variants. The brand’s new Emergency Driving Stop system has also been carried over from the Forester, which safely stops the vehicle if it detects that the driver has become unresponsive.
The exterior redesign has been substantial, with a new, more upright front fascia, vertically stacked headlights, and aggressive black plastic cladding being highlights. It’s a similar story at the rear, where unique ‘OUTBACK’ lettering and an embossed ‘SUBARU’ wordmark now appear.
The Mk7 Outback’s local arrival in 2026 will take place only a few months after its US release, marking a much shorter delay than the nearly two-year gap between the US and Australian launches of the outgoing Outback. Like that model (and despite much speculation), all Australian-delivered Outbacks will still be built in Japan.
2026 Subaru Outback AWD equipment highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (dark metallic finish)
- Automatic LED headlights
- LED front fog lights
- Ladder-style roof rails
- Powered tailgate
- Synthetic leather upholstery (NEW)
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- 8-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar
- 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 Driving Stop System (NEW)
- Subaru Vision Assist
- Blind-spot monitor
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Reverse AEB
- Front-side radar (NEW)
- Driver monitoring system (NEW)
- X-Mode drive mode
Outback AWD Premium adds:
- Heated steering wheel
- 8-way powered passenger seat
- Satellite navigation
- Electric sunroof
- Surround-view camera
Outback AWD Touring adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (machined finish)
- Nappa leather upholstery (brown trim optional)
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Wireless charger
- Driver monitoring system with auto side mirror and driver’s seat adjustment (NEW)
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
2026 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness equipment highlights:
- Unique exterior and interior design with Wilderness branding
- Unique LED front fog lights
- 2100kg braked towing
- 240mm ground clearance
- Adaptive suspension
- Water-repellent upholstery with Wilderness embossing
- Heated steering wheel
- Wireless charger
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Copper-colour interior accents
- Dual tailpipes
- X-Mode (2 modes)
Outback AWD Wilderness Apex adds (over Wilderness):
- Electric sunroof
- Satellite navigation
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Surround-view camera
2026 Subaru Outback pricing 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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