Spy Photos Reveal 2026 Subaru Outback Moving Away from Its Wagon Heritage

Entering its fifth year on the market, the Subaru Outback continues to enjoy strong popularity. In June, the company celebrated the milestone of selling its 3 millionth Outback in the United States since its launch in 1995.

The tall wagon was Subaru’s top seller in 2023, and although it has trailed behind the Crosstrek and Forester through the third quarter of 2024, it remains close in competition, with only a 6,000-unit deficit to first place and a nearly 3 percent increase in sales year-over-year. Meanwhile, Subaru is preparing a next-generation Outback slated for 2026, with recent spy shots revealing its more robust styling during testing.

Even with the camouflage, the images provide a good glimpse of the Outback’s updated design. The wagon now has a more SUV-like appearance, characterized by a squared-off, upright body and trapezoidal wheel arches. The grille features a more rectangular shape, complete with an indent at the top for the Subaru badge.

Trendy two-piece headlights have been incorporated, showcasing a slim upper section for LED running lights and a boxy lower section housing the main headlight unit. Tall roof rails enhance the rugged look, complemented by round fog lights positioned in the lower bumper.

The side profile exhibits straight lines, marking a departure from the current model’s curved window shape, although there is a subtle upward kick at the rear door’s edge. While the rear remains more heavily camouflaged, the angular taillights suggest a potential connection via a full-width light bar or a thin rectangular trim piece.

Details about the next-generation Outback remain limited, but there is speculation regarding an optional hybrid powertrain. Subaru has confirmed that the Forester SUV will receive a hybrid option for 2026, and the Outback will likely feature a similar setup. This hybrid variant is expected to utilize a version of the flat-four engine currently found in the Outback.

It’s anticipated that the existing 182-horsepower 2.5-liter engine and the 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine will return, likely with some minor updates. The all-terrain wagon will almost certainly maintain standard all-wheel drive. The seventh-generation Subaru Outback is projected to debut for the 2026 model year, making a reveal next year highly plausible.