EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan takes a test drive in a 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness, with more attitude, 80 more horsepower, and a bit more off-roadability..
The 2026 Outback has been moved into a more SUV-like shape by designers, boxier, chunkier shape, is a far more serious set of body cladding front, center and rear. The black grill gets “SUBARU” writ large as its center bar; big, round fog lights get Wilderness-specific copper rings for some serious standout look. It rides on all-terrain 17-inch Bridgestone Dueller rubber. And there’s a real skid plate behind the front bumper to help with off-road travels.
Inside, StarTex (waterproof faux leather) seats feel supple, with heat up front s feet rest on swirl-patterned black rubber mats. The driver gets a configurable digital display that can show 160-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tach, or map with speed display. The the EyeSight safety system monitors where the driver’s eyes are. Rear seats have decent room, fold fairly flat to access a larger (32.6- to 34.6-cu.ft) cargo area.
The Outback Wilderness gets 9.5 inches of ground clearance and a turbocharged 2.4-liter BOXER with 260-hp – 60 mph in in 6.6 seconds. And with X-Mode – Snow/Dirt or Deep Snow/Mud and a shorter final-drive ratio – a dirt road in a downpour gave us solid traction and traction in the mud was fine, and the ride over holes and lumps was controlled.
So read lots more about this – 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness Adds More Horsepower
– and see more interior and exterior images by EV Rider reviewer Dan Scanlan.And check out lots more views of EV, PHEV and ICE vehicles at EV Rider.