The Subaru Outback has always been the car for people who want SUV practicality without SUV bulk. Dog owners, weekend hikers, and anyone who secretly misses wagons have flocked to it for years. Now Subaru has announced pricing for the all-new 2026 Outback, and here’s the headline: it’s gone up by nearly five grand. The base trim has been killed off, meaning you’ll now start with the Premium at $36,445 including destination — up from just over $31K last year. That’s a hefty leap for a model built on sensible value.
Subaru
A More SUV-Like Outback
So what do you get for your money? Subaru’s seventh-generation Outback has been redesigned with boxier proportions, a tougher stance, and the kind of features that nudge it closer to full SUV territory. Standard kit includes a 12.1-inch touchscreen with Google-based infotainment, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an upgraded EyeSight driver-assist system with new emergency steering. Roof rails remain sturdy enough for bikes or kayaks, and the Wilderness trim gets even more rugged — though it now starts at $46,445. The range-topping Touring XT touches $50K, a price once unthinkable for an Outback.
This shift isn’t happening in isolation. Subaru has been making its lineup feel more premium across the board. The 2025 Subaru WRX tS, for example, now blends track-day fun with daily driver comfort, showing Subaru wants to charge more but give back substance too.
Subaru
What Fans Might Grumble About
Here’s the rub. Subaru’s traditional buyers have loved the Outback because it struck a balance: affordable, capable, and quirky enough to stand out. A near-$6K jump breaks that rhythm. Some critics argue Subaru risks pricing itself into a space where rivals like Hyundai and Toyota look tempting. And while the new interior’s recycled materials and extra safety features are admirable, they don’t fully erase sticker shock.
The concern is compounded by Subaru’s broader lineup struggles. WRX sales have slumped in 2025, even as rivals like the Hyundai Elantra N surge ahead. Subaru can’t afford for its bread-and-butter Outback to lose the loyalists who carried it this far.
AOL
Looking Ahead: Wagon Dreams And Market Shifts
It’s worth remembering that Subaru is also plotting something different: the possible return of a proper wagon to North America. Reports suggest the next-generation Levorg, potentially with hybrid power, could land by 2026 or 2027. That could give buyers who feel priced out of the Outback a more affordable, lower-slung option.
For now, though, Subaru is betting that its customers will pay more for a tougher, techier Outback. Given the car’s cult-like following, it’s probably right. But this price hike feels like a turning point: the Outback is no longer the affordable quirky wagon — it’s becoming a mainstream SUV with a Subaru badge.
Final Take
The 2026 Outback is more capable, more connected, and more SUV-like than ever. It’s also significantly more expensive. For loyal buyers, the question is simple: do you value the upgrades enough to stomach the higher price? Subaru clearly thinks so. The real test will be whether its diehard fans agree.
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