CarBuzz Samples the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness  

There was always a bit of overt honesty in the fact that the Outback was clearly a raised Legacy station wagon. It was as off-road capable as competing crossovers, if not more so, and it laid bare the fact that all crossovers were basically station wagons in off-road drag. It also led to a bit of a problem for Michael Hohl Subaru and other Subaru dealers, as it was very similar in size to the Forester. With the same drivetrains and close to the same dash, it was as if Subaru gave you a choice of the same vehicle in low and long, or short and high forms.  

The 2026 Outback is the first to break completely free of the Legacy.  It isn’t that much larger, but it does distance itself from the Forester, and in Wilderness form, it is more off-road capable than ever.  Carbuzz gave the 2026 Outback Wilderness a spin, and this is what they found. 

Despite its new looks, the Outback shares plenty with its predecessor. It is powered by the same turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer-4 engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission and sending power to all four wheels through the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive System. Towing capacity is 3,500 pounds, which is a bit low for the segment.   

The Wilderness trim again raises ride height to a lofty 9.6 inches, a level no other crossover of its size can match, and that even exceeds entry models of the 4Runner and Bronco. The Dual-mode X-Mode terrain management system features effective Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings. The settings activate below 10 mph and are deactivated above 25 mph, but can return automatically if the speed drops to 20 mph. This makes the system a set-it-and-forget-it off-road. The Wilderness throttle response is deliberately mild for precise off-road modulation, which means a bit more pedal travel for highway acceleration, but the power is clearly on hand. CarBuzz states, “Turbo lag is almost imperceptible, easing the anxiety that can surround two-lane passes and awkward merging maneuvers. And the CVT does its job without drawing any attention to itself…” 

New on the Wilderness are electronically controlled reactive dampers that respond to the terrain, providing a smoother highway ride and improved wheel control beyond the pavement.  

Apart from the increased ride height, most of the Wilderness’ visual differences are at the front, with a bespoke grille that increases the approach angle, integrated composite brush guards, and an aluminum skid plate. These protective elements are good for smaller branches, but the skid plate may not be enough if you plan to do some rough rock-hopping. 

Subaru shows it understands its outdoor lifestyle customers very well. The Wilderness-exclusive roof rack can hold a static 800 pounds, which is enough for rooftop campers to bring almost everything in the cargo hold up there with them. The rack is rated for 220 pounds on the road and, in an almost unheard-of metric, 220 pounds of side load in case anyone wants to use it as an anchor for a hammock. There are also built-in tie-downs in the rack to keep the tie-down straps from contacting painted surfaces. Subaru even has a non-skid plastic surface between the taillights with end ridges that enable snowboards or skis to be leaned against the tailgate without sliding off. 

As with all 2026 Outback reviews, the interior is praised for its new infotainment system, featuring a faster-acting, landscape-format 12.1-inch touchscreen, and for climate controls that are out of the screen, with physical knobs and buttons below. CarBuzz gives a shout-out to the outdoor-friendly Star-Tex seating surfaces, though it notes that Nappa leather is available.  

The taller roof and more upright rear pillars add two more cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, for a total of 34.6. With rear seats down, the cargo capacity rises to 75.9 cubic feet. 

While the 2026 Outback starts at just under $35K, the Wilderness will set you back another $11,450, and packages can push it close to $50K.  Not peanuts, but in line with its mid-size competitors and as Carbuzz points out, “Still, no other crossover comes close to the Outback Wilderness’ impressive ground clearance and off-road geometry, and its simple, baked-in terrain prowess makes it a confidence-inspiring option for those who spend a lot of time outside.” 

Michael Hohl Subaru invites you to check out the entire Outback model line, from the base model to the Wilderness, to the luxurious Touring XT.