• by Tanya Gazdik , Staff Writer, 3 hours ago

While it’s true that the vast majority of SUV owners will never take their vehicles off the pavement, they want to know that they can. 

Realistically, that durability translates into road-worthiness on all surfaces. 

If you’ve ever driven a pothole-laden Michigan road, you can appreciate the need for a vehicle that can withstand more than a few hard knocks. 

Subaru of America’s new 2026 model Outback is certainly that vehicle.

The best-selling model, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is back with some features that make it even better, like carpeted door cupholders (to remove that annoying ratting noise) and a new clip for the front passenger enabling secure smartphone charging via standard USB ports without tangled cords for the driver.

It’s a simple thing, but that cord clip is meaningful because it shows Subaru listens to its customers, aiming to address even their smallest pain points.

The brand recently launched a full-line series of spots from Carmichael Lynch featuring the Barkley family of dogs, including a spot for the redesigned vehicle. 

Nikkie Riedel, carline planning manager for Outback, recalls taking a suitcase of different sized water bottles and travel coffee mugs to Japan to show engineers there what needs to fit into the cupholders.

“We actually took them to a test track and drove around in circles," she says. Thanks to those efforts, even ceramic mugs and a 32-ounce Nalgene bottle now fit securely into the cupholders with no rattles. 

Subarus have been known for their safety features for a long time, but soon they will be known for even more advanced features.

A new, wider-angle mono camera for EyeSight can help spot pedestrians and cyclists sooner, while a new standard haptic-feedback steering wheel warning relays information to drivers more quickly.

On designated highways, certain trims of the new Outback can travel at speeds up to 85 mph hands-free with driver supervision to help reduce fatigue on longer journeys. On curvy roads with advanced adaptive cruise control, pre-curve speed control can help to slow the vehicle in its lane before the curve for easier driving.

Probably most important, the Outback is very comfortable and offers supreme cargo space. 

Per owner request, there are minimal changes to the overall dimensions. But a two-inch-taller roofline results in the Outback offering 34.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity, larger by two cubic feet than its predecessor. The cargo area is also two inches taller, while the load floor width spans 43.3 inches, wider than its competitors.

Front and rear passengers get more headroom, and new low-fatigue seats mounted directly onto the chassis improve long-distance comfort and reduce head movement on longer drives.

The 2026 Subaru Outback's starting MSRP is $34,995, which is for the new entry-level Premium trim -- an outstanding value.