There is a new version of the 2026 Subaru Outback called the Wilderness that looks meaner and can go off-road better than almost any other Subie ever made. It has a stronger engine, which I will talk about in a moment, and it can go four-wheeling better. First, look at that face. The first thing you’ll notice is the new grille. It has big white bars on either side that look like bumper guards. It is important to note that the Outback Wilderness’s hood does not have a Subaru logo. Instead, it says “SUBARU” in big letters. Most likely, the designers have seen American pickup trucks lately. There is more ground clearance, and the roof rails, front fog lights, and backlights all have orange accents. It rides about an inch higher than the regular Outback because it has 9.5 inches of ground clearance instead of 8.7 inches. There is a 20-degree approach angle, a 22.5-degree exit angle, and a 21.2-degree breakover angle with the extra clearance. The normal Outback, on the other hand, gets values of 18.4, 19.4, and 21.4 degrees. Sources say that the new electronic dampers improve off-road performance while keeping driving and comfort levels the same on the road. When used with the Outback Wilderness’s X-Mode Dual Mode, which lets you choose between Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud, the new brakes make it easier to handle uneven ground. However, Subaru says the new suspension makes the car more stable and less likely to sway while moving. The Wilderness can also pull up to 3,500 pounds, has a new rear frame that should make hooking up a trailer easier, and comes with standard 17-inch matte-black wheels with Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires. If you choose the Wilderness, you can get the Outback’s most powerful engine, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. That engine can be added to an Outback XT, but it’s already in the Wilderness. All Subies have a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and the Outback Wilderness does too. It also has paddle shifters and an “eight-speed” manual mode. The all-wheel-drive system’s center differential locks up faster, just like the regular Outback’s does. It also uses info from the steering angle to sharpen turn-in and let the car go around corners faster. The upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the Outback Wilderness don’t make the car’s cabin very different from the base model. Along with Subaru’s StarTex upholstery, which is waterproof and doesn’t use animal products, the steering wheel and shift button are accented with orange to match the outside. It has all the newest technologies and is, without a doubt, the nicest Subaru interior you can find. The Outback, the Forester, and the Crosstrek are the three new Subaru Wilderness cars. But the Outback Wilderness has the best cabin, the most power, and the most ground clearance. The oldest and most expensive type is the 2025 Outback Wilderness, which starts at $41,380. Subaru says that prices will be announced closer to the 2026 start date. The new one might cost more, so don’t be shocked.
