We Coloradoans have what is probably a slightly unhealthy relationship with the Subaru Outback, especially after 30 years of the vehicle’s total immersion in every aspect of our mountain-loving lives. We’ve learned to overlook its eccentricities and its somewhat ungainly shape, and accept it, flaws and all.

That’s why it strikes me that the 2026 rendition of the Outback is the most improved and capable version so far, and yet also seems to be lacking many of those traditional Outback attributes — like it’s looking to appeal to a whole new set of friends, who don’t happen to be us.

Blocky, tech-laden and verifiably SUV-leaning, the seventh-generation Outback definitely looks like the output of an AI prompt where the existing vehicle was morphed with a new Hyundai Santa Fe. Sure, you can see some of the classic Outback shape and form, but it’s so different — with the exception of its curiously holdover-styled powertrain choices — that I’m not sure if current owners are going to be thrilled by the many changes.

But for a driver with zero Outback history, one who’s looking for an especially rugged, five-passenger SUV that’s modern and packed with niceties such as highway hands-free driving capabilities, a high-resolution 12.1-inch touchscreen or carpeted door sockets big enough for your Nalgene bottles — well, this might be heaven, especially as it starts at about $35,000.

In addition to its squared and angular new shape, Outback is now so quiet on the inside that it feels like an entirely other brand’s automobile. We put that to a test I’d estimate about 18% of Outback owners might really attempt: During the car’s media launch event in Sedona, Arizona, we drove for about an hour up a rocky, mountainside fire road that felt like a creek bed, on absolutely regular all-season street tires, and we could hold a normal conversation the whole way. 

And this wasn’t even the more-lifted Wilderness edition with its new electronically controlled suspension — this was a regular model, one of the five other Outback trims, and its off-road capabilities were definitely impressive. The 8.7 inches of clearance and Subaru’s ubiquitous symmetrical all-wheel drive got us over some awfully big obstacles without any problems.

That hands-free software (for use on mapped, paved roads, up to 85 mph) is still being finalized for full roll-out next year and is part of a tech makeover that simultaneously pushes the EyeSight and DriverFocus safety systems’ “keep your eyes on the road” warnings to a verifiably annoying level, though Subaru says seven out of 10 owners appreciate that.  

Likewise, all that talk about those bottle-holders and a revised console layout that enhances ergonomics (but still allows you to drive with a legit ceramic coffee mug, as some of you have weirdly been doing in your Outbacks) did sort of gloss over the lack of innovation in the 2026 models’ engine choices, or even a mention of mileage.

The regular Premium, Limited and Touring models (there’s no base model this year) get a non-turbo 2.5-liter Boxer engine good for the regular 180-hp, with the 2.4-liter turbo offering 260-hp on upgraded Limited XT, Touring XT and the Wilderness edition. They’re all connected to a continuously variable transmission and, like that older Outback in your driveway, non-turbo acceleration is a chore. 

While Subaru says they minimized the body cladding that’s often a bit overstated on older models, a healthy dose of red Arizona dust highlighted all of the still-chunky bits that remain under the doors and in the bumpers – with a new, removable faceplate to help attach a trailer hitch without using a Sawzall. The roof rails have easier tiedown points, as well. 

All of this has done little to change the Outback’s physical dimensions except its height, which has grown to allow almost an inch and a half of additional headroom inside. That results in a surprisingly airy and, again, near-silent cockpit. It’s very much in keeping with other 2026-era SUVs in its focus on a new 12.3-inch digital instrument screen and the all-encompassing navigation/infotainment screen, with much clearer and faster graphics and a wide range of camera views.

Physical control buttons are back in style again, and the Outback gets manual HVAC and seat heat/ventilation controls, plus large temperature knobs. In the back, the cubist-styled total makeover also helped yield about two additional cubic feet of storage, bringing the total to 34.6 cu-ft, plus a new multi-mode, washable cargo cover and available MOLLE panels for securing all of your Colorado-compliant high-capacity magazines. Or, your camping stuff.