​​2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness First Drive Review​ 

When it comes to adventure vehicles, Subaru knows a thing or two. And with the introduction of the all-new 2026 Outback, the company has given it a very bold design. However, it’s still very much a Subaru in every way, especially with the Wilderness trim, according to Carbuzz, which recently had the pleasure of experiencing it at a first drive event.  

An American Icon Gets Better 

With a reputation as one of the safest, best-driving, and most reliable vehicles over the last 31 years, the Subaru Outback has carved out a special niche for itself in the SUV market. While the vehicle started life as a wagon-like vehicle, it has evolved into a proper SUV to better serve the needs of customers. This gives buyers 34.6 cubic feet of rear cargo space behind the second row, which increases to 80.5 with the rear seats folded, an increase of 2 and 4.9 cu.ft., respectively. All models have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, except for the Wilderness featured here, which offers 9.5 inches.  

Pricing, Trim Levels, and Engines 

Subaru has priced the all-new Outback below some competitors, with a starting price of $36,445. Buyers can choose from six trim levels: Premium, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT. Premium, Limited, and Touring models offer a 2.5-liter Subaru Boxer 4-cylinder delivering 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. However, stepping up to the Wilderness and above trims gets you a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that puts out 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The Outback wouldn’t be a proper Subaru with the incredible Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard, something most SUVs offer as an option. 

Interior Features 

Big changes were made inside the Outback, including an all-new 12.1-inch Subaru Multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster. Premium and Wilderness trim levels come standard with heated seats lined in StarTex water-repelling seat material. This is great for families with children as well as those who take whatever life throws at them. All other trims come standard with leather upholstery. The Wilderness can also be optioned with leather.  

How Does It Drive? 

But the main question is, how does the new Outback drive? Well, according to Brett T. Evans from Carbuzz, even better than you’d hoped. 

What Carbuzz Had to Say 

“Without anything hitched to the bumper, the Outback’s genteel throttle response – ideal for inching forward off-road but less aggressive than some might like on the stoplight drag – nevertheless summons up a smooth dollop of thrust, getting the SUV up to freeway speeds with zero drama. 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, a positive considering how droning and/or unnatural such transmissions can feel.” 

Better Unique Features for Owners 

The roof rails on top of the Outback have been updated to now feature built-in hooks that are meant for tying down kayaks and such without damaging the roof’s paint, and the static load of the roof increases from 700 to 800 lbs, along with a 220-lb side load capacity. An integrated LED light has been added to the hatch to serve as an overhead light when the rear hatch is open, making nighttime in the middle of nowhere a little bit easier.  

A Safety Reputation to Uphold 

While the new Outback has yet to be fully crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), you can expect it to perform well, as it has a reputation to uphold. After all, the Outback has been an IIHS Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ vehicle every year since 2010.  

Incredible Standard Safety Equipment 

With the standard award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, the Outback aims to be one of the safest SUVs you can buy. Standard features include Emergency Stop Assist, Front and Side Alert Assist, Front Cross-Traffic Braking, Automatic Emergency Steering, Emergency Lane-Keep Assist, Haptic Steering Wheel Alerts, and Blind-Spot Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Warning and Reverse Automatic Braking. The new camera system features a wider 180-degree field of view to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist accidents. To help keep drivers’ eyes on the road, Subaru has employed the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System to ensure complete focus.  

Is The Outback the Right SUV For You? 

In the end, when comparing the Outback to the competition, does Carbuzz think that you should take a look at the Subaru? 

The Final Word from Carbuzz 

“… 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. Some clever functionality additions and a massively improved infotainment interface seal the deal. After all, Subaru practically invented rugged, go-anywhere station wagons, and the 2026 Outback Wilderness is just another notch in the belt …” 

Twin Falls Subaru Has All the Best 2026 Subaru Models 

The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness may be the best SUV in its class, according to this review. All of the new 2026 models, including the Crosstrek Hybrid, Forester Hybrid, and more, offer some of the best safety, features, and reliability of any vehicle on sale today. And you can find all of these vehicles at Twin Falls Subaru.  

Why Choose Twin Falls Subaru   

With summer coming up faster than ever, Twin Falls Subaru has all the best prices and services that we’re proud to offer our customers. Not only do we have hundreds of new and used vehicles at the best possible prices, but we also have the best services around. Our fantastic sales team and finance department will work hard to find the best car for your needs. Our dedicated service department will always ensure that your vehicle is taken care of in the best way possible.   

We look forward to serving you soon.