- Spy shots of the next Subaru Outback suggest a more SUV-like appearance
- There is no word on what, if any, changes will be under the hood
- An official release of the 2026 Subaru Outback is expected early next year
There are numerous attributes of this test mule which push that SUV-like narrative for the 2026 Subaru Outback. First of all, there is an excess of black tape covering what is usually open space between the Outback’s roof and cargo rails, making the car look a lot taller than appearances may suggest. Same goes for the half-octagon wheel openings, an industrial design which can make a vehicle look chunkier than it actually is.
Other SUV-like styling attributes appear to be baked into the design which is headed for production, starting with a grille whose pattern is very truck-like, as is the decision to increase the size of that Subaru badge along with its more prominent (read: higher) placement. Also up front are what seem to be a take on the current trend of split headlights, perhaps a harbinger of a new direction for Subaru styling.
The sides of this vehicle are very flat; barring some eye-crossing trickery with this camouflage, suggesting the 2026 Outback is likely to move the furthest it has ever been from its roots as a variant of the original Legacy station wagon. This camouflaged mule also has a very flat roof, unlike the slightly curved chapeau deployed on the current Outback. Like the styling choices described above, this is another one which makes it look more like an SUV than any other iteration in history.
No clues are given as to what’s under the hood or in the cabin, but it is reasonable to expect improvements with infotainment and perhaps a slightly larger tablet-style screen – perhaps measuring 12.3 inches instead of the 11.6-inch display currently on board.
The venerable Outback is a mainstay in the Subaru lineup, serving as one of the brand’s three main models in terms of sales, regularly joining the Crosstrek and Forester atop the delivery heap or on Sold Alley in front of many dealerships. It offers a good alternative for shoppers not keen on the Forester’s traditionally awkward proportions – even if Paul Hogan hasn’t been a pitchman for decades.
Expect to see an official introduction of the 2026 Subaru Outback sometime early next year.
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