2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: Better than Ever?

The Subaru Outback is all new for 2026, and we recently covered the mainstream trims in detail. But, as typical for the brand, the all-important Wilderness launches slightly later than the rest, which we recently had the chance to test out. This Wilderness is more rugged than ever, thanks to quite a few enhancements. But, is this the off-road SUV you should buy?? This article is going to cover all the updates for the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness but be sure to watch the video at the bottom of this article for an in-depth design review!

What’s New for 2026?

Redesigned for 2026
New Interior technology
New exterior design

Trims and Pricing

MSRP with AWD (2025 -> 2026):

Premium: $31,195 -> $34,995

Limited: $37,885 -> $41,715

Touring: $40,345 -> $45,395

XT Limited: $40,195 -> $44,365

XT Wilderness: $39,960 -> $44,995

XT Touring: $42,795 -> $47,995

Prices rise across the lineup, including the Wilderness model which has many new elements for this year.

Air ball and slam dunk

Slam Dunk: The Wilderness adds some fantastic adaptive dampers, a first for the brand and Outback

Air Ball: The design is a bit too bold for some

Design and Features

As mentioned above, please watch the video linked below for a full in-depth exploration of the exterior design and differences. For 2026, gone is the full wagon design in lieu of a new, boxier shape with a more SUV based appearance for this year. When it comes to the Wilderness model, the design has gone extra bold, with large branding across the bumpers and Anodized Copper accents throughout. While it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, the Wilderness will certainly be making a statement.

Here is the full breakdown of what we know about the feature availability:

Feature	Availability
Exterior
LED Headlights	Standard with LEDs and Adaptive Abilities
LED Fog Lamps	Standard in Hexagonal Shape
Ground Clearance	Increased to 9.5-inches
Wheels	17-inch alloys with Bridgestone Dueler tires
Mirrors	Standard heating and BSM \| Optional Power Folding & Auto Dimming
LED Taillights	Standard Partial LED
Exhaust Outlets	Hidden
Towing Capacity	XT: 3,500 lbs
Forward Emergency Braking	Standard on all Outback Wilderness Models
Lane Keep Assist
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Cruise Control
Rear Auto Braking
Highway Drive Assist with Assisted Lane Change	Not available \| Touring trim only

When it comes to the Interior, the Outback Wilderness will also be full of practicality and new tech.

Interior
Smart Entry	Standard
Seat Materials	Leatherette or Optional Nappa Leather
Seat Adjustment	Standard: 10-way power \| Memory: Standard
Push Button Start	Standard
Gauge Cluster	Standard: 12.3-in Full Digital Display
Head-up Display	Not Available
Steering Wheel	Standard: Leather Wrapped \| Heating: Standard
Wireless Charging	Standard
360 Degree Camera	Standard with Trail Views
2-Zone Climate Controls	Standard
Seat Climate	Heated Seats: Standard \| Ventilated Seats: Optional with Nappa Leather seats
Audio System	12-speaker Harmon Kardon Audio
Screen	New 12.1-inch display with Wireless Connections \| New Software \| Standard: Integrated Navigation
Rearview Mirror	Available auto dimming
Moonroof	Standard Size optional on Wilderness

The rear of the Outback Wilderness is also well-equipped, making it competitive within the segment.

Rear Amenities
Heated Rear Seats	Standard
Seat Recline	Standard
Rear Vents and Outlets	Standard
Tailgate	Power standard with auto closing

For in depth details on the 2026 Outback Wilderness, watch our full first look review linked at the bottom of this article.

LOOKING TO BUY any New VEHICLE?

A smart next step would be to check our Car Quote Tool. This tool will connect you with local dealerships in your area to get you the BEST price, access to INVOICE PRICING information, and a monthly payment calculator. Get dealerships to compete for your business!

Click Here

What’s Under the Hood?

While there are typically two engine options for the Outback lineup, the Wilderness comes standard with the more powerful XT:

XT: 4L Turbo Boxer-4 | 260 HP | 277 lb.ft

Transmission wise, it has a Lineartronic CVT and standard Symmetrical AWD. The fuel economy is as rated below:

Wilderness: 21/27/23 MPG

We hope you have found this overview of the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness helpful! For a more detailed first look of the Outback Wilderness, please watch our video below! What do you think of the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness? Let us know in the comments!