Best 2026 Subaru Outback Trim: Our Choice of the Model With the Most Value
Key takeaways
- After looking at them all from Premium to Wilderness, we make our pick from the Outback trim litter.
- The update goes well beyond the midsize SUV’s more rugged exterior, however, with Subaru also making significant changes to the cabin.
- Both engine options are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
After looking at them all from Premium to Wilderness, we make our pick from the Outback trim litter.
The Subaru Outback has been a familiar nameplate for more than three decades now, but the new, seventh-generation model marks a notable shift away from the Outback’s traditional wagonlike profile to a boxier, more SUV-inspired design. The update goes well beyond the midsize SUV’s more rugged exterior, however, with Subaru also making significant changes to the cabin. The Outback’s trim structure has also been revised to better cater to drivers seeking comfort and everyday refinement as well as those looking for a vehicle capable of weekend trail adventures. Which version is right for you? Here’s a trim-by-trim look at everything the 2026 Subaru Outback has to offer.
2026 Subaru Outback: The BasicsThe 2026 Subaru Outback lineup continues to employ several key features across the range, foremost among them being Subaru’s signature symmetrical all-wheel-drive system that has long contributed to the Outback’s widespread appeal. Half of the lineup is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter flat-four engine with EPA ratings of 25/31/27 mpg city/highway/combined, while the Limited XT, Touring XT, and Wilderness trims step up to a more powerful and better-performing but less efficient turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four rated at 21/29/24 mpg. Both engine options are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).