2026 Subaru Outback Pricing & Specs: Wilderness Arrives as Forester Goes Hybrid

No. The MY26 Outback range is powered exclusively by petrol engines: a 2.5L naturally aspirated Boxer or a 2.4L turbocharged Boxer. For buyers seeking fuel efficiency, Subaru has positioned the new Forester Hybrid as the brand's electrified alternative.

Subaru Australia has not yet confirmed a release date for the Forester Wilderness. While the Outback Wilderness is available immediately with the MY26 launch, the local arm has simply advised media to "watch this space" regarding the Forester equivalent.

The Outback Wilderness has a braked towing capacity of 2,100kg, which is a 100kg increase over the standard 2.5L Outback variants (2,000kg). This is aided by a high-torque CVT cooler and revised gearing.

Yes. In a major ergonomic update, Subaru has removed the vertical screen from the previous model and installed a 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen. Crucially, this update includes the return of physical tactile switches for frequently used controls like temperature, fan speed, and Auto Vehicle Hold.

2026 Subaru Outback Pricing & Specs: Wilderness Arrives as Forester Goes Hybrid Subaru Australia has officially released the Model Year 2026 (MY26) Outback, repositioning the vehicle as a "purpose-built SUV" with a starting price of $48,990 before on-road costs. The updated range is headlined by the arrival of the "Wilderness" sub-brand, a rugged variant that has been available in the North American market since 2021. This launch occurs as Subaru navigates a significant transition in its local SUV lineup, with the brand's traditional best-seller, the Forester, facing sustained sales pressure in a market dominated by Toyota. Despite the launch of the sixth-generation Forester in mid-2025, VFACTS data for October 2025 shows the model recorded 1,313 sales, significantly trailing the segment-leading Toyota RAV4, which moved 4,401 units in the same period. While the new Forester pivots toward efficiency with a Toyota-derived "Strong Hybrid" system to buck the trend, the MY26 Outback Wilderness is positioned to capture the adventure-focused buyer who prioritises capability over fuel economy. The MY26 Outback introduces a revised exterior design with vertically stacked LED headlamps, a re-engineered chassis, and an overhaul of the cabin technology. Responding to customer feedback regarding the previous model's interface, Subaru has returned to physical tactile switches for frequently used controls such as air-conditioning and Auto Vehicle Hold. The interior also features a new 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen, replacing the portrait orientation of the outgoing model for improved compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Under the bonnet, the volume-selling AWD, Premium, and Touring grades retain the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre Boxer engine, which produces 137kW of power and 245Nm of torque. The turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, previously available on the XT Touring, is now reserved exclusively for the Wilderness and Wilderness Apex variants. This engine outputs 194kW and 382Nm, paired with a Lineartronic CVT that features a revised final drive ratio (4.444:1) in Wilderness models to improve low-speed crawling ability. The Wilderness variant features a suspension lift bringing ground clearance to 240mm, which is 20mm higher than the standard model and exceeds the clearance of a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. It also includes an electronically controlled damper system that adjusts to terrain in real-time, and a "Dual-Mode" X-Mode system with specific settings for deep snow and mud to allow for controlled wheel slip. Towing capacity for the Wilderness is rated at 2,100kg, a slight increase over the 2,000kg rating of the naturally aspirated models. Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence stated that "Wilderness takes all the capability so core to our SUVs and cranks it up," describing it as "the most capable SUV we've ever built". The introduction of this "tough" Outback variant comes as CarSauce reporting indicates a trademark for the name "Trailseeker" has been filed in Australia, pointing to a future electric SUV that may eventually sit alongside the Outback. For now, the MY26 Outback serves as the brand's combustion-engine flagship. 2026 Subaru Outback Pricing (excluding on-road costs) Outback AWD: $48,990 Outback AWD Premium: $53,490 Outback AWD Touring: $56,990 Outback AWD Wilderness: $59,690 Outback AWD Wilderness Apex: $62,690 2026 Subaru Outback Specs & Features Outback AWD 2.5-litre naturally aspirated Boxer engine (137kW/245Nm) Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-Mode 220mm ground clearance (+7mm over MY25) 12.1-inch horizontal infotainment touchscreen 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Physical buttons for HVAC and Auto Vehicle Hold EyeSight 4.0 Driver Assist with new wide-angle monocular camera 9 Airbags (including new far-side airbag) Cloth/Synthetic leather seat trim Powered driver seat with lumbar support Heated front seats Ladder-style roof rails (363kg static load capacity) 18-inch alloy wheels in dark metallic finish Outback AWD Premium (adds over AWD) Satellite navigation Panoramic 360-degree view monitor Hands-free powered tailgate Electric sunroof Heated steering wheel 8-way powered front passenger seat 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system Outback AWD Touring (adds over Premium) Nappa leather-accented seat trim (Black or new optional Brown) Ventilated front seats Heated rear outboard seats Driver Monitoring System with facial recognition for seat adjustment Active Lane Change Assist Auto-dipping passenger side door mirror 18-inch machined alloy wheels with gloss finish Outback AWD Wilderness (adds over AWD) 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine (194kW/382Nm) Revised CVT final drive ratio (4.444:1) 240mm ground clearance (+20mm over standard) Electronically controlled damper system Dual-function X-Mode (Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud) StarTex water-repellent seat upholstery Heated rear outboard seats & heated steering wheel Anodised copper interior and exterior accents Unique front and rear bumpers with improved approach/departure angles Matte black 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres Full-size spare wheel Underbody protection Towing capacity increased to 2,100kg Outback AWD Wilderness Apex (adds over Wilderness) Electric sunroof Satellite navigation Panoramic 360-degree view monitor 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is there a hybrid version of the 2026 Subaru Outback available in Australia? No. The MY26 Outback range is powered exclusively by petrol engines: a 2.5L naturally aspirated Boxer or a 2.4L turbocharged Boxer. For buyers seeking fuel efficiency, Subaru has positioned the new Forester Hybrid as the brand's electrified alternative. When will the Subaru Forester Wilderness be released in Australia? Subaru Australia has not yet confirmed a release date for the Forester Wilderness. While the Outback Wilderness is available immediately with the MY26 launch, the local arm has simply advised media to "watch this space" regarding the Forester equivalent. What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness? The Outback Wilderness has a braked towing capacity of 2,100kg, which is a 100kg increase over the standard 2.5L Outback variants (2,000kg). This is aided by a high-torque CVT cooler and revised gearing. Does the 2026 Subaru Outback have physical air-conditioning buttons? Yes. In a major ergonomic update, Subaru has removed the vertical screen from the previous model and installed a 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen. Crucially, this update includes the return of physical tactile switches for frequently used controls like temperature, fan speed, and Auto Vehicle Hold. What is the difference between the Subaru Outback and the new 2025 Forester? While both are AWD SUVs, the Outback is longer and now marketed as a "tough" flagship with turbo power and greater towing capacity. The new Forester is taller, boxier, and focuses on urban efficiency with its new "Strong Hybrid" powertrain options.