Subaru Outback

Core summary

A boxier seventh-generation crossover SUV with standard AWD and available Wilderness hardware.

The seventh-generation Subaru Outback is the current production version of Subaru’s long-running Outback nameplate. Revealed on April 16, 2025, it went on sale in North America on August 22, 2025, for the 2026 model year. Unlike the sixth-generation model, which retained a raised station-wagon profile, the new Outback adopts a more upright crossover SUV shape. Its design uses a taller roofline, squared-off wheel arches, more exterior cladding and a wider C-pillar. The platform is no longer shared with a sedan, following the discontinuation of the Legacy in 2025.

The standard powertrain is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder, while XT and Wilderness versions use a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder. Both engines use a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Regular models retain 8.7 inches of ground clearance; Wilderness raises that figure to 9.5 inches. Six North American U.S. trims are listed: Premium, Limited, Limited XT, Wilderness, Touring and Touring XT.

History & generations

The Outback began in 1994 as a Legacy wagon derivative created to give Subaru a more SUV-oriented product without developing an entirely new vehicle. The first generation added body cladding, a roof rack and, later, increased suspension height. The second generation arrived in 1999 and became its own model alongside the third-generation Legacy. The third generation, introduced in 2003, used the Outback name in all markets and expanded the range with H6 and turbocharged engines.

The fourth generation appeared in 2009 with a larger body, 8.7 inches of ground clearance and new CVT availability. The fifth generation, launched in 2014 for the 2015 model year, increased product separation from the Legacy. The sixth generation followed in 2019 and introduced the turbocharged XT and Wilderness variants. Revealed in 2025, the seventh generation changes the formula most visibly by moving from a raised wagon toward a boxier crossover SUV. Older-generation engines, trims and dimensions should not be treated as current specifications.

Body, platform & design

The seventh-generation Outback’s principal design change is its transition from a raised station wagon to a more conventional crossover SUV. Subaru describes the taller, boxier shape as a response to demand for a more SUV-like appearance while retaining familiar Outback attributes. The roofline is taller, the wheel arches are squared off and exterior cladding is used more extensively. The C-pillar is wider and includes a body-colored trim piece.

At the front, split headlights sit around a larger rectangular grille. The rear uses a full-width taillight bar and OUTBACK lettering on the hatch, while the black plastic bumper carries an embossed Subaru logo. Standard roof rails replace the previous foldaway crossbars. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels are available for the first time in the nameplate’s history. Wilderness models use a distinct exterior treatment with expanded bumper protection, black trim, copper-colored details, round LED hexagonal fog lights and improved tow hooks.

Engine & drivetrain

The current Outback has two North American engine families. Standard models use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. XT and Wilderness trims use a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

The regular Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The Wilderness uses the turbocharged engine and has 9.5 inches. The extract also identifies market-specific differences: Australia lists 2.5-liter and 2.4-liter turbocharged engines, Europe uses the 2.5-liter engine exclusively, Japan’s Legacy Outback uses a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, and Mexico uses the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. These regional details should not be generalized across the global range. No manual transmission is identified for the seventh-generation North American model.

Trim differences

For the United States, the seventh-generation Outback is listed in six trims: Premium, Limited, Limited XT, Wilderness, Touring and Touring XT. The trim structure separates standard naturally aspirated models from XT versions using the turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Wilderness remains an off-road-focused version alongside the regular range rather than a separate generation.

Canada uses a different listed structure: Touring, XT Limited, Wilderness and XT Premier. Australia offers Standard 2.5, Premium 2.5, Touring 2.5, Wilderness 2.4T and Wilderness Apex 2.4T. New Zealand lists AWD, AWD Premium, AWD Touring, AWD Wilderness and AWD Wilderness Apex. Mexico lists Touring CVT and Wilderness XT CVT, while Indonesia lists a sole 2.5i-Touring EyeSight variant. The current model is also pictured in both standard and Wilderness forms in the supplied filenames.

Interior & seating

The seventh-generation interior uses a 12.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with four configurable views. The infotainment system runs on a Google Android Automotive-based operating system and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Physical buttons and knobs operate the HVAC system, while the X-Mode system is controlled by a steering-wheel button.

Subaru added sound-absorbing material in the headliner and roof. The redesigned body provides increased headroom for front and rear occupants, and the seats are described as low-fatigue designs mounted directly to the chassis. Maximum cargo space is listed at 34.3 cubic feet, with a 43.3-inch load-floor width; the load floor is raised by two inches compared with the predecessor. Wilderness interiors add copper-colored accents and water-resistant, animal-free StarTex upholstery. Options described for Wilderness include Nappa leather, ventilated front seats, a moonroof and a 360-degree Surround View Monitor.

Efficiency & range

It does identify the two current North American engines and confirms that both use continuously variable automatic transmissions. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder is the base engine, while the turbocharged 2.4-liter unit is used in XT and Wilderness trims.

The Outback’s crossover body, roof rails and all-wheel-drive system are relevant to operating efficiency, but the reference does not quantify their effects for the current generation. Earlier-generation statements about fuel economy or emissions should not be carried into this model’s specification. Regional engine differences also make a single worldwide efficiency claim inappropriate. Buyers should consult market-specific official economy figures for the exact engine, trim and model year.

Safety & equipment

The seventh-generation Outback is equipped with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance system. The extract states that EyeSight enables hands-free driving on highways up to 85 mph. It also introduces Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection on a Subaru vehicle for the first time. If the driver becomes unresponsive to warnings, the system can pull the vehicle to a safe stop and alert emergency services.

Earlier-generation ratings and equipment are historical and should not be presented as seventh-generation results. The current safety description is therefore limited to the EyeSight capability and the stated emergency-stop function. Availability and operation may vary by market, trim and local regulations.

Strengths

The seventh-generation Outback’s main strengths are its standard all-wheel-drive layout, generous ground clearance and broader crossover packaging. Regular versions provide 8.7 inches of clearance, while Wilderness raises that to 9.5 inches and adds all-terrain tires, underbody protection, expanded bumpers and improved tow hooks. The turbocharged engine is standard for Wilderness and available in XT versions.

The taller body improves headroom and increases maximum cargo capacity to 34.3 cubic feet. The cabin also gains a larger digital display strategy, physical HVAC controls and wireless smartphone integration. A broad international range gives the nameplate different engine and trim combinations by market. EyeSight adds a substantial driver-assistance package, including the stated hands-free highway function and Emergency Stop Assist. These advantages are balanced by the model’s increased emphasis on SUV styling compared with the wagon-like character of its predecessor.

Considerations

The current Outback is not one uniform global specification. Engine, trim and equipment choices differ substantially between North America, Australia, Europe, Japan, Mexico and other markets. The reference also does not supply fuel-economy ratings, complete pricing, towing figures for regular models or a full crash-test record for this generation. Those omissions limit direct market-to-market comparisons.

The seventh-generation design is taller and more overtly SUV-like than the sixth-generation Outback. That may suit buyers seeking a conventional crossover appearance, but it changes the visual and packaging character that defined earlier raised wagons. The turbocharged engine is restricted to specified XT and Wilderness versions in the described North American range. Wilderness adds capability-focused hardware but also has a more specialized configuration than the regular models. Buyers should verify local specifications rather than combining trim or engine details from different countries.

Recommended use

The Outback is suited to buyers who need one vehicle for everyday road use, adverse-weather travel, family cargo and occasional unpaved routes. Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and 8.7 inches of ground clearance give the regular model a clear all-weather and mixed-surface orientation. The taller seventh-generation body adds headroom and provides a maximum cargo volume of 34.3 cubic feet, supporting luggage and bulky loads.

Wilderness is the more appropriate choice when the use case includes rougher trails, loose surfaces or greater underbody exposure. It adds 9.5 inches of clearance, all-terrain tires, reinforced protection, revised X-Mode functions and a roof static-load rating of 800 pounds. Its more specialized hardware is unnecessary for drivers whose use is limited to paved commuting. The standard model is the broader general-purpose choice, while XT versions provide the turbocharged powertrain without necessarily carrying every Wilderness-specific feature.

FAQ

Q: What is the current Subaru Outback generation? A: The seventh generation, revealed in 2025 and sold as a 2026 model in North America.

Q: Is all-wheel drive standard? A: Yes. The current extract states that Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard.

Q: Which engines are available in North America? A: A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer four and a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four.

Q: What is the Outback Wilderness? A: It is an off-road-focused version with 9.5 inches of clearance and added protective hardware.

Q: Does the current Outback use a manual transmission? A: The supplied current North American specification identifies a CVT only.

Q: What changed most with the seventh generation? A: It moved from a raised wagon shape to a taller, boxier crossover SUV design.

Sources & updates

Research for this Subaru Outback profile prioritized current manufacturer specifications, model-year equipment pages and official press material. Independent safety or regulatory records were used where available. Historical references were kept separate from current-generation specifications and image identification.

Equipment, pricing and certified figures can vary by market, trim and model year. The expandable reference list below contains the linked sources used for verification. Last editorial review: August 30, 2026.

• 2026 Subaru Outback official specifications and trims →
• The Redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback | AWD Midsize SUV · official manufacturer →
• Subaru Outback · reference overview →

Last editorial review: August 30, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.