The wilderness version of the new generation Outback looks cool in my opinion. The pictures I saw were of a blue one, which I like, but I think black would be my choice.

 

Driving my 18 3.6 today, I had a thought, will the 26 Outback ride as well as this car does...? Or is it going to be more truck like ?

 

Gen6 and Gen7 use the Subaru Global Platform which "should" feel better than Gen5. I seriously doubt there's going to be any kind of "truck" feeling. Neither of the Ascents I've owned nor the MY20 Forester we owned for awhile until my spouse stopped driving felt like "trucks" and they are all on the SGP. The MY16 Outback was noisier and didn't feel as good. (still doesn't...our daughter now owns it)

 

In NVH noise/vibration/harshness, gen5 was improved to gen 4, but i intentionally waited for gen6 on the new platform bc i expected it would be a leap forward. So gen7 is likely to also be improved over gen6, but not as much as a whole new platform. More like improved materials and detail changes, which can make a significant difference.

It will be interesting to see if gen8 soldiers on with the ‘old’,or if it gets a new platform, and of which origin.

 

It will be interesting to see if gen8 soldiers on with the ‘old’,or if it gets a new platform, and of which origin.

It's important to understand that "platform" isn't a "thing" in the auto industry. The platform is the design and manufacturing methodology. That's what allows Subaru to use the SGP across the entire line from the smallest to the largest vehicle. While there is some parts sharing, it's not universal because size/weight and other factors come into play, but the design is consistent, for the most part across vehicles. When/if they make changes to the SGP, it will affect each vehicle at the point of a generational change.

 

We also have a 24XT along with the 18 3.6. IMO the seats in the 18 fit me better, recently put 5000 road trip on the 24, yes, it's a great road trip car. The 18 is 8+ years old now, I don't need to be driving a car that old at this point in my life, 71y/o.

I've had the comfort feeling difference since we picked up the 24XT late April 2024. To me, that car feels smaller inside, too. Maybe that's the black interior compared to the gray.

Again, that 3.6 is so much quieter. Wish they still made that.

 

I've had the comfort feeling difference since we picked up the 24XT late April 2024. To me, that car feels smaller inside, too. Maybe that's the black interior compared to the gray.

Again, that 3.6 is so much quieter. Wish they still made that.

I felt the interior of the GEN six to be more cramped. The center console comes up closer to your knees. It comes up higher, so with it being wider and higher. It just feels like there’s less room for you sitting in the driver seat. It’s basically less open in the front two seats. I disn’t feel that way in an ascent. And funny enough, the crosstrek loaner bothered me less than I thought - it seemed to have about the same amount of perceived room and space in the front.

That’s the only thing I could figure out.

 

Here’s a recent dealer comparison of the 25 and 25 Outbacks:

Honestly, the more I see of the 26 the less I dislike the looks, and if the 25 didn’t exist I might actually like it. But, to my eyes, the 25 is just a more attractive car in all respects. The square/blocky look isn’t for me. Some of the changes and new details are good, but not enough I would have waited and paid more for the 26 (couldn’t even if I had wanted to). Glad I got my 25 while I could.

 

Here is another video of the 2026 Outback. These vids are pretty much the same thing, I really just want to see dealers ext. actually driving the new Outback.