2026 Subaru Outback Review: Game Changer or Mistake?

he 2026 Subaru Outback is all-new for its 7th generation — and it looks a lot more like a typical crossover SUV than the iconic low-slung wagon it used to be. So does that design change hurt Subaru, or help it grow? Those are exactly the questions I set out to answer in this Subaru Outback review. In this test drive, I get behind the wheel of both the Outback Limited and the Outback Wilderness to give you a complete picture of what this redesigned model delivers — and what it may have left behind. The 7th-generation Outback has shed its distinctive wagon silhouette and stretched upward into a profile that looks increasingly similar to the Subaru Forester. For longtime Outback enthusiasts, that's a significant shift. For buyers who previously passed on the Outback because it didn't fit the crossover mold, it could be an invitation. The Outback Limited is positioned as the refined, premium choice — focused on comfort, connectivity, and on-road driving dynamics. The Outback Wilderness is the adventure-ready trim, featuring elevated ground clearance, Subaru's Symmetrical AWD tuned for off-road performance, and purpose-built ruggedness that puts it in direct competition with vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Bronco Sport, and Jeep Cherokee. Both trims come loaded with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist technology and that legendary all-wheel drive system. But they serve very different buyers — and in this Subaru Outback test drive, I break down exactly who each trim is built for, what the real-world driving experience is like, and whether the 2026 Outback earns its place among the best midsize crossover SUVs on the market. If you're comparing the Subaru Outback vs Forester, cross-shopping for the best SUV 2026 has to offer, or deciding whether the redesign is a step forward or a step back — this is the review you need to watch first. What do you think — does the new Outback lose its identity, or does it find a bigger audience? Let me know in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe to The Novak Report for honest, expert car reviews and test drives every month. 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Subaru Outback overview & history 01:18 New Outback exterior styling changes 02:08 Subscribe to The Novak Report 02:30 Powertrain options and chassis 04:20 Fuel efficiency ratings 05:15 Lack of a hybrid hurts the Outback 06:25 Interior overview 07:15 MSRP in Canada and the USA 07:30 Overall impressions and conclusion