- The all-new 2026 Subaru Outback’s redesign gives the interior new tech and a little extra space.
- Pricing starts at $36,445, including the destination fee | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Subaru Outback models for sale near you
The Subaru Outback is all-new for 2026 with a fresh design that is decidedly more of an SUV than a wagon. In terms of both size and price, the Outback straddles the line between compact and midsize, leaning more toward the midsize class. However you want to classify it, the Subaru Outback upholds its reputation as a practical and roomy 5-passenger hauler that can serve as a sensible family vehicle, a rugged off-roader, or just a daily commuter that’s up for weekend adventures.
The changes to the exterior are obvious, but let’s take a closer look at the redesigned interior of the all-new 2026 Subaru Outback.
Outback Passenger Room and Comfort
The passenger space in the 2026 Subaru Outback is nearly identical to that of the outgoing generation, which was introduced in 2020. If you’re coming into a new Outback from an older Outback, it will feel very familiar inside. One difference is a little extra headroom in the new model since the body got 1.4 inches taller.
We were pretty comfortable when we climbed into the back seats of the Subaru Outback. It has 39.5 inches of rear legroom, which is a little less than the Honda Passport but a bit more than the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Suffice it to say, it’s enough space for average-sized adults and most children.
Outback Cargo Room and Flexibility
The cargo space is where the “tweener” status of the Subaru Outback becomes apparent, positioned between compact and midsize. Although its 34.6-cubic-foot cargo hold behind the rear seats got bigger this year, it’s actually less cargo room than some compact SUVs, namely the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. That said, the Outback has noticeably more cargo room than the Subaru Forester. This is an area where the rugged Honda Passport crushes the Outback; the Honda has 27% more cargo room than the Subaru.
Folding the rear seats is easy thanks to a pair of pull handles. When those seats fold down, the cargo hold opens up to 80.5 cubic feet. For the average Outback-sized family or couple, this provides ample room for camping gear, dogs, or a combination of both.
Outback Features and Tech
We were never big fans of the vertically-oriented, clipboard-like infotainment display in the previous generation of the Subaru Outback. The interface was laggy and too many of the car’s controls were dependent on the screen. Subaru heard the complaints and went with a more conventional 12.1-inch central display and 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.
Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, and they worked well in our experience. Integrating your phone is pretty seamless, and swiping through the menus feels natural. Perhaps our favorite tech upgrade of this redesigned interior is actually quite low-tech: physical knobs and buttons for the HVAC and seat climate controls rather than screen-based controls.
Beyond the screen tech, a few available features we like in the 2026 Outback include a Harman Kardon audio system, a wireless charging pad, a 360-degree parking camera, and USB-A and USB-C ports in front and back.
Outback Materials and Design
The base Premium trim and the adventurous Wilderness come with StarTex water-resistant interior upholstery. Every other trim has leather seating, which is upgraded to Nappa leather in the Touring trims. Heated seats are standard across the board, while Touring models add ventilation — a nice creature comfort for hot climates.
The interior design is typical Subaru: It’s functional, durable, and low-key. That said, we’re impressed with the interior quality of the Outback Touring and Touring XT (“XT” means it has the turbo engine), with its Nappa leather upholstery available in Java Brown or Slate Black. The leather in the mid-range Limited trim comes in Slate Black or Titanium Gray.
Overall, the redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback improves on the strengths of the outgoing model, and the interior is no exception. The previous generation’s cabin was perfectly functional, but came with some technological frustrations. With those annoyances remedied, the inside of the Subaru Outback is the best it’s ever been.
