The new design marks a departure for the Outback. It was introduced in 1994 as a lifted version of the Legacy, and it was previously available in both sedan and station wagon configurations. Following the discontinuation of the Legacy at the end of 2025, Subaru was free to redefine the Outback without development and production restrictions tied to another model. Now, it’s a true two-row midsized SUV, fitting between the Subaru Forester and the larger three-row Ascent.
This reborn model won’t be confused with an Outback from 2010 to 2025, an extended period that saw relatively subtle exterior changes. This is a truly new era.
The added headroom will be appreciated by drivers and passengers, but perhaps the more significant change to the cabin is the modernized interior, which features a horizontal center screen,a new infotainment system and the return of long-lost physical climate controls.
What remains is the easy access and convenient cargo floor height afforded by the tall ground clearance. The familiar four-cylinder boxer engines continue with refinements: a base 180-hp naturally aspirated engine and a 260-hp turbocharged engine. Of course, all-wheel drive is standard.
The Outback features the latest generation of the brand’s EyeSight safety suite, with enhanced camera and radar sensors, and added functions.
Starting at $34,995, the Outback is more expensive than before—largely because the prior, unpopular base version was discontinued. The lineup now starts with Premium, followed by Limited and Touring, all featuring the 180-hp engine. The Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT have the more powerful turbo engine.
Shifting the product line a notch upmarket by omitting the base version helps position the Outback more clearly above the Forester. With the updates and revised pricing ladder, the Outback carves a niche above the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, yet slots below the Honda Passport and Toyota 4Runner. Not a bad place to be.
Based on our experience with an Outback Touring XT borrowed from Subaru, this is a redesign done right. Read on, and we’ll explain.
If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert review of the Subaru Outback is available to you below. Once we purchase our own model and complete 2,000 break-in miles, we’ll put the Outback through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including empirical measurements of acceleration, braking, handling, car-seat fit, and usability.
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