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2026 Subaru Outback.

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Subaru will be unveiling the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback at the New York Auto Show next week. As well as the related Outback Wilderness.

The teaser above doesn’t show much. However, spy shots have been showing a much more angular design than any of the previous generations. With a more SUV-like shape. Which seems to go against the Outback in the first place. Since it is basically a station wagon of the good old Subaru Legacy. It will be interesting to see if there is a next-generation Legacy sedan in the works outside of the US. The sedan will not see the 2026 model year in North America.

If there is no new Legacy at all, that means Subaru can design the Outback as a stand-alone model, and it looks like they really wanted to turn it into a regular SUV. Which, apparently, isn’t what many current owners want.

Already, many of the comments on Subaru’s Instagram page (Where the teaser comes from) show disappointment in Subaru’s new design direction for the Outback.

I think turning the Outback into a regular SUV would be a big mistake for Subaru and would actually open the door to more competition. Anyone coming up with a cool, off-road wagon will be getting many of the Outback customers.

We won’t have to wait too long since the official date is April 16th. We might even see it before. Stay tuned…

Conversation 5 comments

  1. I agree. The Suburu Outback was desirable because it wasn’t an SUV. Its a lifted wagon.

  2. If the sales of the ‘wagon’ Outback weren’t falling off, why mess with it? That’s why I like the Outback is because it’s a Station Wagon. It looks distinctive compared to their SUV etc vehicles.

  3. If doesn’t look like a wagon what’s the point? If sales of the current Outback ‘Wagon’ are strong, why make it look less Wagony?

  4. I think the reason they switched to an SUV style vehicle is because of packaging.
    Can you fit all wheel drive, a hybrid/electric battery pack, a full size spare tire, and maintain the same cargo capacity without raising the roof of the existing wagon?

  5. I think the only reason is money. They feel a proper SUV will sell even more than the wagon. Especially since the Legacy sedan the wagon was based on is no more.

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