FROM OUR EXPERT TEAM
Explore Articles

Subaru Outback Wilderness Apex 2026 review: snapshot

Subaru Subaru Outback Subaru Outback 2026 SUV Best SUV Cars Subaru SUV Range Family Cars Family
...
EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Chunky road presence
Superb packaging
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Turbo likes a drink
Very divisive design
No manual option
Photo of Byron Mathioudakis
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness Apex is just that – the flagship version of the seventh-generation series.

Priced from $62,690, before on-road costs, the Apex comes with a few more features above the regular Wilderness – namely, an electric sunroof, sat-nav, 360-degree view monitor and 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio.

Otherwise, it’s pure Wilderness, which means that different and very divisive front grille treatment, unique bumpers and tailgate appliques, additional body cladding, a 20mm extra ride height lift (to 240mm), a turbo engine upgrade, electronic dampers and extra 'X-Mode' off-road functionality.

And only the Wilderness models feature water-repellent seat trim, different fog lights, black-finish alloys and embossed seats. 

Standard kit includes powered and heated front seats, heated outboard rear seats, wireless charger, climate control, a 12.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, 12.3-inch electronic instrumentation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a powered tailgate, X-Mode off-road mode, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare.

Safety-wise, AEB, rear-cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, traffic-sign recognition and adaptive cruise control headline the ADAS tech, plus there are nine airbags – including a front-centre item.

Being a Wilderness, the Apex boasts a 2.4-litre horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, pumping out 194kW of power at 5600rpm and 382Nm of torque between 2000rpm and 3600rpm. No manual, though, so drivers have to make do with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight artificial steps, sending drive to all four wheels.

Finally, like the standard Wilderness, the Apex’s combined average fuel consumption figure is a high-ish 9.7L/100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 228 grams per kilometre. Expect to achieve a range of about 648km from empty if you fill up your tank with the required 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.

Read the full 2026 Subaru Outback review

Subaru Outback 2026: Awd Wilderness Apex

Engine Type Turbo 4, 2.4L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 9.7L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $62,690
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$48,990
Price is based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the lowest priced Subaru Outback 2026 variant.
LOWEST PRICE
$48,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$62,690
Photo of Byron Mathioudakis
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later. He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003. He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since. With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia. The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime. The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it. In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$62,690
Lowest price, based on new car retail price.
For more information on
2026 Subaru Outback
See Pricing & Specs

Comments