2026 Subaru Outback driven 

The Subaru Outback is a popular vehicle on New Zealand roads, and the latest seventh-generation version has just landed. It looks a bit different this time around, more like a crossover-type SUV than the jacked-up wagon we’ve grown accustomed to.  

It’s said to have been redesigned as a ‘purpose-built SUV’ and rides on a ‘further-evolved’ Subaru Global Platform underneath. It stands taller, and as Subaru says, adopts ‘more traditional SUV-style proportions’ with increased height and width, and a more upright front end. 

Wilderness model added 

It comes in two distinct guises this time around with the Outback Wilderness making its New Zealand debut. The brand would like you to think of it as the ‘most adventure-ready and capable Subaru ever produced’. It comes with 240mm of ground clearance, better approach and departure angles and distinctive ‘tough’ styling. You’ll notice it wears quite a distinctive front end treatment too. Along with a 2.4T engine, it has Wilderness-spec suspension with electronically controlled dampers.

What is the NZ price of the 2026 Subaru Outback?

As to pricing, the line-up starts at $54,990, the Premium is $59,990 and the Touring is $64,990. The Wilderness is $69,990 while the Wilderness Apex is $74,990.

More of everything 

Inside, the interior gets a new 12.1-inch horizontal infotainment touchscreen, which replaces the previous, all-encompassing vertical display. Good to see it has big touchpoints, a logical layout for the widgets and they say the processing speed is 2.5 times faster than the old one. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Perhaps the best bit about the new layout is the return of buttons for more functions including the ventilation. Thanks Subaru. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a few different views to choose from. 

Seat materials are model specific, you get Nappa leather in the Touring for instance, while the Wilderness variants feature ‘hard-wearing, easy-to-clean hydrophobic synthetic leather’. There’s more headroom all round, while legroom increases in the rear. The boot load level is 50mm higher and generally bigger all around, while the integrated roof rails return, now with a 363kg static load capacity.

Turbo power available

The Outback comes with a 137kW/254Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated flat four with attention paid to improving ‘useable torque’ while reducing noise. The Wilderness gains access to the 2.4 turbo with 194kW and 382Nm. As to gas use, the 2.5 averages 8.1L/100km, the 2.4T at 9.7. 

Both operate via the firm’s CVT, but don’t worry it’s a smooth operator yet responsive too. We couldn’t find any drive modes, not that they will be missed by actual owners. And you can paddle the action along if you want to take control through eight-programmed ‘gears’.

The Wilderness driver will like the low-end torque, it’s noticeably stronger than the atmo engine, which needs a few more revs to get going. Being larger and better equipped, it has also grown in weight, the base Outback coming in at 1705kg, while the top Wilderness is 1802kg. 

The turbo can also haul a little more, its braked capacity set at 2100kg, 100 more than the 2.5. 

As to the electric Trailseeker model, that’s still ‘under consideration’ at this stage, Subaru NZ with nothing newsworthy to say there. 

AWD remains 

Back to the Outback, and permanent AWD remains, of course. This time around they reckon the Active Torque Split control is improved for more precise power delivery. Hard to comment on that, but it seems as sure footed and stable as ever on road. 

X-Mode is still present, helping low-speed, off-road driving, and a bit more ground clearance helps too, now up to 220mm on the Outback, and 240mm on Wilderness. 

The new ‘dual-pinion’ electric power steering is a highlight. It’s smooth, well weighted yet responsive with a decent feel for the action. 

Safety is well covered with another update for the EyeSight Driver Assist system. It gets an improved camera for better detection of danger ahead, and an updated Driver Monitoring System. This was far less nagging than we have experienced in the past. The lane keeping function was also better behaved, still issuing pertinent warnings, but not so intent on interfering with the actual action of the wheel. If it all goes pear-shaped, there are now nine-air bags waiting to be deployed. There is no ANCAP rating yet. 

Refined nature 

If there was one aspect that impressed us most on the drive programme, it was the Outback’s overall refinement levels. The engines are quiet and the ride is impressively compliant over both highway and gravel roads. Road noise is well suppressed too. While it rides a bit higher now, it still has a fair degree of roll control for what is a reasonably capable crossover off road. 

Still good off the track 

Speaking of, the Outback tackled a few farm tracks to show its capability. Out here, progress is comfortable on gravel trails, the added ground clearance helping where ruts are concerned. The hill descent works well too when you are X-mode.

There was one rutted incline that the Outback took a few attempts to climb, but it managed to conquer the hill. Which was impressive considering the road-biased Bridgestone Alenza H/L all the Outbacks are shod with. You might be wondering where the chunky rubber is for the Wilderness? All Outback models wear the same rubber in New Zealand, which is due to Australian compliance issues (and we take the same spec as they do). But we are told your local dealer will happily fit some chunky rubber for you, if that’s what you are looking for.

2026 Subaru Outback NZ specifications

Outback AWD

2.5-litre naturally aspirated Boxer engine 
Subaru Symmetrical AWD 
X-Mode 
Minimum 220mm of ground clearance 
12.1-inch infotainment screen 
12.3-inch digital instrumentation 
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Driver Monitoring System
Latest generation EyeSight technology
Nine SRS airbags
Subaru Vision Assist, including Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking and Front Side Radar 
Powered tailgate 
Powered driver seat with adjustable lumbar support 
Heated front seats 
Ladder style roof rails  
Synthetic leather seat trim 
18-inch alloy wheels in a dark metallic finish  


Outback AWD Premium adds: 

Heated steering wheel 
Eight-way powered front passenger seat 
Panoramic 360-degree view monitor 
Satellite navigation 
Electric sunroof 
Premium 12 speaker Harman Kardon sound system

Outback AWD Touring adds: 

Premium Nappa leather accented seating including the addition of the new optional Brown trim (exclusive to this variant) 
Ventilated front seats 
Heated rear outboard seats 
Wireless phone charger 
Active Lane Change Assist added to EyeSight features  
Auto fold door mirrors with passenger side auto dipping functionality on reverse 
Driver Monitoring System with driver seat and door mirror adjustment functionality 
18-inch machined alloys with a gloss finish 

OutbackAWD Wilderness (over Outback AWD features): 

2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer Engine  
Subaru Symmetrical AWD 
Dual mode X-Mode 
Electronically controlled dampers linked to X-Mode 
Minimum 240mm of ground clearance
Wireless phone charger
Heated rear outboard seats 
Heated steering wheel 
Auto dimming rearview mirror 
Robust water repellent seat trim with Wilderness logo embossed into the front headrests 
Uniquely designed LED fog lights 
18-inch alloy wheels in matte black finish 
Dual tailpipes 

Outback AWD Wilderness Apex adds: 

Electric sunroof 
Satellite navigation 
Panoramic 360-degree view monitor 
12 speaker Harman Kardon audio system 

2026 Subaru Outback New Zealand pricing 

Outback AWD  –  $54,990 
Outback AWD Premium  –  $59,990 
Outback AWD Touring  –  $64,990  
Outback AWD Wilderness  –  $69,990 
Outback AWD Wilderness Apex  –  $74,990