Subaru Outback Wilderness 2026 review: snapshot

The 2026 Subaru Outback is the brand’s first model to offer the adventure/off-road-ready Wilderness model.

Priced from $59,690, before on-road costs, this is based on the mid-range Outback AWD Premium specification, but differs in some pretty/not-so-pretty significant ways.

The big changes are a new front grille and bumper treatment, with the words ‘SUBARU’ spelt across the slats, more body cladding, different trim and lighting on the tailgate, a 20mm extra ride height lift (to 240mm), a turbo engine upgrade, electronic dampers and extra 'X-Mode' off-road functionality.

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Explore the 2026 Subaru Outback Range

Subaru Outback Wilderness Apex 2026 review: snapshot Subaru Outback Wilderness 2026 review: snapshot Subaru Outback Touring 2026 review: snapshot Subaru Outback Premium 2026 review: snapshot Subaru Outback AWD 2026 review: snapshot

Additionally, Wilderness buyers score a wireless charger, water-repellent seat trim, different fog lights, black-finish alloys and more. 

But don’t go thinking that, because it is more expensive than the Outback AWD Touring, you automatically receive all its little luxuries too, because you won’t find the sunroof, sat-nav, 360-degree view monitor and premium audio. You’ll need another $3000 for the Apex version.

Still, the Wilderness is not exactly lacking in equipment, with heated outboard rear seats, wireless charger, climate control, a 12.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, 12.3-inch electronic instrumentation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated/powered front seats, a powered tailgate, X-Mode off-road mode, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare.

Safety-wise, the Wilderness includes ADAS items like AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, traffic-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and nine airbags.

Another huge change with Wilderness is in the engine compartment, since it boots out the Outback’s regular 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine, for a 2.4-litre turbo version. This delivers 194kW at 5600rpm and 382Nm between 2000rpm and 3600rpm, and employs Subaru’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight artificial steps to send drive to all four wheels constantly. Unfortunately, no manual gearbox is offered.

Blame the extra weight or blunt aerodynamics, because the Wilderness’ combined average fuel consumption figure of 9.7L/100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 228 grams per kilometre. Expect to achieve about 648km from empty if you fill up your tank with the required 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.