Are you ready to see a fun vision? Imagine your family car becoming an incredibly tall ((for example Doing off-road adventures)) adventure machine! Well, today, the 2026 Subaru Outback was announced and Subaru has just shared big news! Australia will get the first chance to see and drive the cool new Wilderness model of the Outback! You may be thinking “Wait! There’s a “catch” to this announcement?” What secret features are hiding in this boxy thing? You will want to read more so you won’t miss out on all the hype you are hearing from down under!
New 2026 Subaru Outback Looks – Boxy and Ready for Aussie Roads!
The 2026 model of Subaru's Outback has changed from a long wagon shape to a tall, square-SUV type. It has been made taller and wider than previous models with the increased ground clearance on the 2026 Outback, which can be up to 240mm for Wilderness models, which is great for Australia’s bumpy tracks and driving on beaches. Other benefits for the Wilderness models include better angle of approach and angle of departure so the front and back bumpers won’t scrape on steep hills when driving downhill. Additionally, the Wilderness models include very distinctive black cladding, bright orange highlights, and a heavy look to the Subaru logo. The Outback has been designed based on customer feedback to meet Australian demand for vehicles that can be used as family vehicles. The size of the Outback has been expanded to 4880mm long and 1880mm wide which allow the Outback to compete against such vehicles as Toyota Kluger. Experts are now saying the Outback looks tougher and beefier than the Hyundai Santa Fe.
2026 Subaru Outback Engines – More Punch for Towing Fun
The power that Subaru Outback feels in 2026 is stronger than before. The base 2.5L petrol boxer produces 137kW of power and 254Nm of torque - a little less horsepower but more low-end torque for pulling away from the city. The Wilderness model has a 2.4L turbo engine that produces 194kW and 382Nm - a big increase over the old XT's 183kW! Both have a fully variable transmission and all-wheel drive systems. They consume 8.1L and 9.7L/100km of petrol, respectively, both of which run on 91 RON (which is more affordable). Both models can tow 2000kg (the Wilderness model can tow 2100kg). There are seven different driving modes on each model, including the Wilderness version with dampers for mud and sand. My friend who camps often says that this is far better than the Toyota Kluger.
Inside 2026 Subaru Outback Interior – Screens and Comfy Seats Galore
Explore the 2026 Subaru Outback. It's got tons of tech! It features a huge 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen that operates at 2.5x speed, and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard equipment. The base model (with AWD) includes synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, and a power liftgate. The Wilderness model includes seats that are waterproof, heated steering wheel and rear seats, and a wireless charging pad. The Touring model has Nappa leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a Harman Kardon 12-speaker audio system. The cargo area has 530 litres of space (big enough for prams and sports equipment). Safety features on the Outback include 9 airbags, EyeSight advanced braking system, blind spot monitor and facial recognition technology. Although the Outback has not yet been rated by ANCAP, it feels like a safe car to drive. Your kids will love the huge screens!
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Base extras: LED lights, roof rails, rain wipers
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Premium adds: Sunroof, nav, 360 camera
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Wilderness cool: Orange highlights, fog lights
Subaru Outback Wilderness Australia – First Time Off-Road King!
Australia welcomes Subaru's new Wilderness sub-brand featuring an elevated stance of 240mm, utilising modified shock absorbers connected via the X-Mode system, and having different gearing ratios to suit off-road usage. Distinct from Touring variant, the Wilderness is less "high gloss" due to the absence of hood scoop vents, and is $5700 less expensive than Tourings. Competing models such as the Kia Sorento X-Pro or Hyundai Santa Fe also feature 4WD modes for off-road applications, however, because Subaru has a very strong 4WD system, the Subaru will surpass those vehicles on both wet weather pavement and off-road applications. For true adventure seekers, the Wilderness version (e.g., travelling to Uluru) has many unique features not found anywhere else. Other automotive publications may overlook this but the Wilderness has special logos on the head rest cushions, as well as a unique matte black finish for the mirrors which helps to create the appearance of exclusivity amongst all models.
2026 Subaru Outback Price Australia – Higher Tags Sting a Bit
2026 Subaru Outback price Australia starts around $43k-$50k for base AWD (exact soon), Wilderness $62k+. Why up? Bigger size, better tech, import costs. Base AWD undercuts Kluger hybrid, Wilderness fights Santa Fe diesel. Early deals possible. Compared old model, $3k-$5k jump feels fair for upgrades. Check dealers quick!
2026 Subaru Outback Specs
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Wrapping Up the 2026 Subaru Outback Buzz
The 2026 Subaru Outback combines family-friendly space with rugged off-road capability, ideal for Australian families. With Wilderness added to the lineup, the Outback gets even more exciting than its predecessors (though the price tag does hurt!). An increase in power output and a greater variety of displays make driving every day more enjoyable for users. I hope that we'll see hybrids on the horizon!
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Source(Image / Thumbnail): www.drive.com.au
