The Subaru Outback is on the cusp of its seventh generation, and the unveiling is imminent—April 16 at the New York Auto Show. Thirty years of combining wagon utility with SUV toughness are about to give way to a major change that better reflects current crossover trends in the 2026 Outback.
Spy photos and rumours indicate that the new Outback will drift further away from its station wagon heritage. It’s likely to adopt a form more similar to the Forester or Ascent, with a more upright, chunkier shape. The change is a little sad for enthusiasts of the Outback’s distinctive styling, which has long distinguished it from the SUV pack. But in an industry more and more fixated on traditional crossovers, the change makes business sense.
What’s Under the Hood?
Under the new bodywork, Subaru promises a safer, roomier, and more technologically advanced vehicle. Although the existing duo of four-cylinder engines—one naturally aspirated and one turbocharged—is likely to return, the real news is the introduction of the Outback Hybrid. Called the “e-Boxer,” this configuration pairs a 2.5L gas engine with two electric motors, a CVT, and Subaru’s trademark symmetrical all-wheel drive. Anticipated output? Around 194 horses, with a perceptible increase in low-speed torque and economy, perhaps cutting consumption by as much as 2L/100 km.
But don’t look for a complete hybrid range just yet. Subaru will probably provide only a single hybrid model in Canada, and it could be at the top of the line in price.
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Wilderness Returns for the Adventurous
The Outback Wilderness trim will also return, retaining its off-road niceties: heavier cladding, lifted suspension, off-road tires, and dual-mode X-MODE for improved traction on rough terrain. For off-road enthusiasts, it’s still the go-to.
One question mark remains—will Subaru continue to produce Canadian-market Outbacks in Indiana, or might supply revert back to Japan if U.S. trade tensions continue? The answer could come next week at the formal reveal.
For the moment, the 2026 Outback is forming as a refined upgrade of an old favorite—tipping toward contemporary tastes yet still giving a nod to its go-anywhere heritage. Be a weekend warrior or a Monday-to-Friday commuter, and this might just be Subaru’s most appealing Outback to date.
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