In the heartland or on the coast, the Subaru Outback finds its path

I admit that this week’s tester is not necessarily something I would’ve considered ever buying for myself. I’m likely not the key demographic either. And living in Ohio, we have less of a need for “rugged” vehicles than other states as our idea of rugged is surviving potholes.

But after spending a week (plus a bonus week) with the Subaru Outback I now understand why this rugged crossover has existed for more than 30 years.

When it debuted in the 1995 model year, the Outback was a rugged station wagon. Eventually, it would hasten in the crossover segment. I was given the 2026 Outback Touring XT to drive for a week, and then just two weeks later, I went on a vacation to Maine where my rental car was . . . the Subaru Outback Touring. Bonus week!

For 2026, Subaru didn’t just give the Outback a little nip and tuck. This is a new generation, and perhaps the biggest talking point is that the Outback has finally leaned all the way into being an SUV. The old wagon vibe is still there if you squint, but the boxier profile, upright rear pillar, bigger grille and more squared-off body sides give it a far more traditional SUV stance. Subaru says the Outback is only slightly larger overall, but the extra height pays dividends inside, especially in headroom and cargo space.

My tester was the Touring XT, which sits near the top of the Outback lineup and brings the more powerful turbocharged powerplant. On the outside, the Touring trim brings a more upscale appearance without losing the Outback’s functional personality. It has the cladding you expect, roof rails that make it look ready for a kayak or rooftop cargo box, LED lighting, a power rear gate and enough rugged attitude to fit the Subaru brand image without looking like it’s trying too hard.

Inside is where the 2026 Outback feels the most improved. Subaru replaced the old vertical screen layout with a new 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen, and thank goodness, there are more actual buttons and knobs again. I’ve never been shy about disliking climate controls buried in a screen, so this is a welcome change. There’s also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the overall cabin design feels more modern without going full spaceship.

The Touring trim adds the kind of comfort features that mattered as my wife and I drove all around the beautiful state of Maine on our vacation. And the Outback fit right in as I counted endless numbers of other Outbacks on the roads of the Pine Tree State. Even my rental had leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, a moonroof, navigation, wireless charging and a Harman Kardon audio system. It’s not flashy luxury, but it is as luxurious as Subaru gets. And after logging miles in two different Outbacks (through Ohio, Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts) in a short span, I came to appreciate how easy it is to live with and why it has maintained popularity over three decades.

Under the hood of the Touring XT is Subaru’s 2.4-liter turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine. It makes 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque and is paired to a continuously variable transmission. As always, Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard. This engine changes the personality of the Outback in a good way. It’s still not trying to be a performance SUV, but the extra torque makes highway merging, passing and climbing grades feel much more confident.

This turbocharged Outback has an EPA rating of 21 mpg/city and 29 mpg/highway. On vacation we did have to make a couple of stops to refuel and felt the pinch of those pricey New England gas prices, but the tradeoff is an Outback that feels much less strained when loaded up with luggage and passengers.

On the road, the 2026 Outback Touring is relaxed and easygoing, but with a stronger punch when you ask for it. The ride quality is one of its strengths, soaking up rough pavement without feeling sloppy. Steering is light, visibility is excellent and the higher seating position makes it feel more SUV-like than ever. Yet it still has that familiar Subaru honesty about it. It doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It’s built for people who have dogs, bikes, kids, camping gear or just a strong desire to look outdoorsy while going to Costco.

The bottom line is that the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring is more SUV than wagon now, and purists may grumble about that. But the formula still works. It’s comfortable, practical, capable and improved in the areas where it needed to be improved most. The turbo engine makes it more enjoyable to drive without changing the basic Outback mission. I may not be the stereotypical Outback buyer, but after two weeks with one, I get it. And sometimes “I get it” is the highest compliment you can give a vehicle that wasn’t trying to impress you in the first place.