2026 Subaru Outback

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We tested an Outback Touring XT, which has the more powerful turbocharged engine. At our test track, our test Outback accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is significantly quicker than the rival Honda Passport (7.9 seconds). Unfortunately, the Outback with its base engine is still pretty slow. If you have a need for speed, you'll want the turbocharged engine.

The latest Outback feels composed and stable when you drive around turns. It also has more accurate and responsive steering than before, so it's easier to have confidence that it will go where you point it. The Outback's advanced driver aids, such as adaptive cruise and lane keeping assistance, work well to help make driving easier without issuing annoying alerts.

We also appreciate the way the Outback handles comfortably over rutted city streets. You'll be able to thump this car over potholes and manhole covers without a second thought. Throw in the excellent visibility, and you have yourself a true dual-purpose machine — one that will be easy in the city and sure to get you away from it (and back).

The EPA says the Outback XT (the turbocharged model we tested) will get 24 mpg combined. Base models with the standard non-turbocharged engine should get 27 mpg combined per the EPA. Subaru doesn't offer an Outback with a hybrid, however.

From a space standpoint, the Outback is fantastic. Its narrow center console provides ample legroom, along with generous shoulder room in both rows. Getting in and out is also a high point. Because the seats neatly align with the hip height of average-size adults, sliding right in and finding a comfortable seat position is a cinch.

The front seats are supportive and soft, and we found them to be very comfortable on long drives. The front seat heating and available cooling functions work quickly and effectively. Also, Subaru has brought back buttons and knobs to control the climate in the new Outback. The result is a much more straightforward, easy-to-use experience that is miles better than the old touchscreen-based climate controls. This alone is one of the biggest improvements to the new Outback.

The Outback offers 34.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is lower than the class average but still quite good for holding a fair bit of gear. The Honda Passport and Mazda CX-70 offer a touch more, but their load heights are higher. As a result, getting heavy cargo into the Outback will be easier than in either of the other two.

Where the Outback excels is in small-item storage. Every door pocket has enough room for a big bottle, and the pockets themselves are carpeted to damp the incessant rattle of said bottles. The center console is a bit small but deep. Plus, there are a few other small cubbies to stow items like wallets or phones.

The Outback has a max tow rating of 3,500 pounds, which is enough to pull a small trailer or boat.

Of all the improvements to the new Outback, the tech stack is easily the biggest. A large customizable screen for the instruments is now standard, as is a large 12.1-inch landscape-oriented center touchscreen. The screens look crisp and have high-resolution graphics.

The touchscreen responds quickly to your inputs and allows for seamless switching between functions. The center screen's layout is simple and easy to get the hang of quickly, and the icons are large and easy to read. The Outback also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which worked without fault during our testing. There are standard USB-A and USB-C charge ports, and wireless charging is also available.

The Outback offers plenty of value across its range of trims. The starting point of the range, the Premium trim, gets niceties like the big center touchscreen, digital gauge cluster, heated seats and synthetic leather upholstery. Our test car was a Limited XT, which comes with the turbocharged engine, uprated sound system and more. We think you're getting your money's worth there, and it's likely that an Outback will a bit cost less than a similarly equipped Honda Passport or Mazda CX-70.

Subaru's warranty coverage for the Outback is average for this class. It offers three years/36,000 miles of basic coverage and five years/60,000 miles of coverage for the powertrain.