2026 Subaru Outback.

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Just when we thought Subaru designs couldn’t get worse, we are presented with this.

These illustrations seem unfortunately very realistic and do match all the recent spy shots we have seen of the next-generation Subaru Outback. It is quite ghastly, and will no doubt have many confused humans run for the hills.

I notice these illustrations also include the horrible-looking gold wheels from the new Forester. Another ghastly touch and something that actually could be an option on the new Outback.

Many have already described the next Outback as finally being an SUV. I think it still looks like a wagon. A very ugly one, but a wagon.

The giant plasticky grille the horrible plastic crap cladding all over and now the squared-off shape. Everything is there to make this the worst-looking Outback ever. Angular designs can work. But it isn’t there. There is really no excuse for something like this in late 2024. Or even in 2004 for that matter.

The first generation of the Outback came out in 1994. It was a raised-up version of the Legacy, actually called “Legacy Outback” at first.

My favorite is the third generation that came out in 2003. A clean, nicely designed wagon shape and it had a very nice and much more upscale interior than before. It seems things went down after that one. All the way down if you include what we see in the illustrations above.

However, there is still a little bit of hope. I hated the new Forester when I saw the first photos last year. But it is actually nicer in the flesh. Not great, but a bit better. These aren’t even actually photos and let’s hope the real thing does look better.

Conversation 20 comments

  1. “My favorite is the third generation that came out in 2003.“ The third generation came out in 2005 lol.

  2. I drive a 2023 Limited and it looks like it will be my last. These pics of a 2026 lacks any kind of design styling. Big box shape with no imagination involved.

  3. The spy shots and this filled in version tell me that the Outback will be largely the new Forester from the beltline down, and slap on a new face. Disappointing really.

  4. Vince, I owned many Subarus in the past and I currently own a 2025 Forester and my brother owns a 2024 Crosstrek. THE BIGGEST ISSUE, the stupid tablet.
    The tablet controls Carplay, fan speed and must controls.
    1- Wireless charger is a joke. It works only 45% of the time.
    2-The Carplay only works wireless and randonly. YOU CANNOT use Carplay via wire (Really Stupid).

    I can deal with the OK design and OK powertrain. Its got plenty power for my needs.

    My brother’s Crosstrek tablet went black three times already. Its updated too. The problem is that the tablet takes forever to start, and while you wait for it to come up, its useless. You cannot use Carplay or not even turn the fan on or control the speed. Most likely this new Outback will have a similar tablet. I only have less than 4K miles on mine and I’m ready to trade it. Maybe a Mazda CX50 or Honda CRV Hybrid.

  5. The new Outback looks too much like the Ascent. I like the “station wagon” Outback much better.. and it was different from all the myriad of midsize SUVs on the market.. I think this will be like “New Coke”

  6. Initial reaction is that thing is hideous. I love my 2017, with its curves. This is just too boxy.

  7. This won’t be the most beautiful vehicle out there, but if there is a market for a hideous Tesla Truck, an ugly Hyundai Santa Fe, and a weird Hyundai Santa Cruz, then this sould probably fit right in the SUV segment.

  8. No you’re not wrong the new Forester looks like a cheap RAV4 knockoff that a pre schooler phoned in. The outback is worse

  9. I’ve got a 2025 Outback Touring XT and i couldn’t be happier. Love the vehicle, love the look.

  10. New Forester looks like an older Ford Explorer, New Outback looks like a Forester, New WRX looks like a Legacy, Legacy is gone, what’s going on Subaru?

  11. Just another SUV . . . its lost its (car) wagon appeal. And, so much for the unappealing esthetics.

  12. A baby Ascent SUV. No thanks. The Forester fills that niche. Should’ve kept the wagon concept.

  13. Yamma Hamma! Squared off wheel wells and quarter panels make it look like a GM product. The rounded look of the current Outback model is much easier on the eyes and looks much more athletic.

  14. Well, if Subaru wants to SUVize the Outback, then they should bring the Japan only Layback model to the States.

  15. I had two back-to-back outback leases (see what I did there?) … loved the 2017 and 2018 models, the interior was GREAT, especially in the 2018.. the exterior was a bit contrived but a nice overall shape. Great family cars, we’ve taken them skiing, camping, paddle boarding, etc. Excellent for long trips. The built-in roof rack and cross bars were super useful. I had wished for a bigger sunroof like the Forester, not sure why the Outback/Legacy of that gen was stuck with such a small sunroof. Wheezy 4cyl and CVT were far from sporty but 90% of the time did the trick.

    Ultimately what pushed me away from the Subarus, aside from the styling that progressively got worse with each model year: the PRICE.. once they passed $35K they became less attractive. The newer ones are easily beyond $40K and, at that price point, there are many other choices out there, with nicer styling, more interesting powertrains and likely nicer driving experience.

    This new Outback verision in the spy shot/rendering seems to be a step in the wrong direction. Just another generic SUV with weird styling cues. And I bet it will be expensive.

    P.S. the gold touches on the bumpers and roof racks of the new Subarus.. .absolutely awful! Do they not know?

  16. Subaru lost me a while ago. We looked at an Outback, but bought a CRV instead. The reasons: 1. too much black plastic vomited all over the exterior. The Japanese version is so much better than the US version; 2. The All in One screen – I’ll never buy a car with that from any brand; 3. The nannies! And I driving the car? and I watching the road? am I watching the road but you think I’m sleepy and need a coffee break just because I haven’t changed my gaze to look at the odometer in the last 10 minutes? These Subarus are bonkers and intrusive. No thanks! I get tired of getting beeped at – the CRV does it sometimes too. And all this stuff is making them so expensive to purchase and expensive to insure.

  17. Dear Lord.. WTF is Subaru thinking?? First they massacred the Forester, now the Outback.. facepalm^1,000!
    Yeah.. as much as I’ve liked Subaru in the past, I think it’s time to reconsider..
    That thing is ATROCIOUSLY FUGLY!!

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