yep just join one of the lively discussions here & enjoy 🙂

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/gen-7-2026-future.283/

 

Thread moved to 7th Gen....

 

It's ugly, and I doubt that seeing it on a lot would change my mind.

 

I agree with you.

 

The photo in post #1 above has been in a lot of the pre-sale writeups.
It looked somehow familiar to me and I finally hit on what it was reminding me of: Travelall.

If you don't find the Travelall comparison compelling, perhaps you can think of another vehicle from which the new OB drew styling inspiration? (I've got to say that for me, it's rather uninspired; but that's just me).

Here is a link to a photo of a Travelall in a beautiful outdoor setting, complete with roof rack and (vinyl applique) cladding. :https://cdn-fastly.thetruthaboutcar...ternational-harvester-travelall-adversary-to-suburban.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1

Link to Stageway version to inspire possible Subaru airport/team&crew/kennel edition https://cdn-fastly.thetruthaboutcar...ternational-harvester-travelall-adversary-to-suburban.jpg?size=720x845&nocrop=1

 

It looked somehow familiar to me and I finally hit on what it was reminding me of: Travelall.

Or perhaps this classic:

 

It's like somebody saw a Pallisade and said "How can we make this ugly?"

 

yup if you scale down a gen 2 Palisade that's looking pretty close https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Hyundai_Palisade_2.5T_Calligraphy_LX3_Creamy_White_Pearl_(46)_(cropped).jpg/500px-Hyundai_Palisade_2.5T_Calligraphy_LX3_Creamy_White_Pearl_(46)_(cropped).jpg

Palisade does not have to project offroad vibe as much as OB

 

Yeah because if you compare these 2 cars, a big thing is the boxiness.

 

Chevy Avalanche is tame today, but when new 10+ years ago the side cladding was a shock snd it seemed to have acres of black plastic, and the plastic buttress covers were a scandal. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't thoink those buttresses have been imitated on another vehicle since then. Maybe the plastic around the rearmost side windows of OB SUV is an echo of that.

I think Subaru is going for an attention grab with the new OB cladding and wheel trim, and with that big grille too.

2005 Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 Catalog and Classic Car Guide, Ratings and Features

Explore the 2005 Chevy Avalanche's unique blend of SUV comfort and pickup utility. Discover its lasting legacy and collector appeal. Click for more!

metrommp.com

 

It reminds me of the late 1980s Toyota 4Runner. Over all, gen 7 is more truck and less wagon.

At least they got rid of the big hunk of plastic roof rack from the last three generations. The new one looks more flexible for attaching a wide variety of things.

 

Looks like a KIA Tasman ute from the front. Dingo ugly. I wouldn't touch one with a dead dingo's donger.

2026 Kia Tasman | Dual Cab Pick-up Ute | Kia Australia

The ultimate performance, comfort & practicality all-in-one ute, the Kia Tasman is out now. Available in dual cab pick-up, dual cab chassis & single cab chassis body types.

www.kia.com

 

I want to see it in person, before any final judgements, but I honestly would say it’s grown on me every time I see it.

 

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from.

 

To me, it's just a Forester 2.0. . .

 

I don’t like it at all. We have a Honda Passport for our other vehicle. We like our 2018 because after driving the Outback feels more car like. We don’t need two SUVs. Our 2018 3.6 has only 58k and runs perfectly, so no reason to sell or trade it in. If we need another suv it won’t be an Outback, because that thing is just so ugly And I don’t care how nice it is on the inside.

 

I agree.

 

For me the 2026 front end and grille are by far the most in your face attention grabbing feature. Reminded me at first sight of the current Silverado front end (maybe because I see one down the street every day) but also the Griswold Family Truckster. lots of visual attraction to the headlights, and the parking lights/turn signals are precursors of the eyebrow things as on the 2026 Outback, and a lot of other current cars.

Real-Life Griswolds Take Truckster To Disney World For 30th Anniversary Of ‘Vacation’

geeksofdoom.com

 

similar https://www.slashgear.com/img/galle...ed-and-a-hybrid-you-might-not-need/front-end-revisions-for-2025-1725374405.webp

 

Also Volvos

https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/CC-214-035-1200.jpg?quality=75

but even more:

https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/80-265GLE.jpg?quality=75

 

just stick a Volvo badge on the front and back of the new outback, and it’ll sell.

 

I am boiling it down to a styling formula of attention grabbing front end, with large tall flat grille (doesn't visually take advantage of the low boxer engine, but tries to suggest power) flanked by lights each side and those eyebrows. Brick wall, poor aerodynamics.

To keep the front end from visually overwhelming the styling of the rest of the car, they have slapped on some plastic power trim to the sides.

Otherwise I am still going with Travelall inspiration from the front end back (except for the plastic trim) because the flat panels and glass are cheaper to style and manufacture. That’s also why International did it that way. Subaru used up the styling budget on that front end.

The older OBs had more cohesive styling per generation and the older gens have IMO aged well. The 2026 is a definite break from previous gens and Subaru must have their reasons. Trailseeker here I come….maybe.

 

Oh look it's the 2026 Homer Simpson edition!

 

It's getting ugly. Which is a shame. The car-like nature of the Outback, historically speaking, was one of its selling points.

 

IMO, a feature of a "real" station wagon is elongated rear quarter glass, matching the large cargo area.

https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclass...ic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/51293605932_eac156ee41_k.jpg?quality=75&ssl=1

https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/International-Travelall-1974-RR.jpg?quality=75&ssl=1

OB had something like this up to gen4, when the rear quarter glass starts to no longer have 4 defined straight edges.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/2003-2006_Subaru_Outback_2.5i_station_wagon_(2010-07-10)_02.jpg/1280px-2003-2006_Subaru_Outback_2.5i_station_wagon_(2010-07-10)_02.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/2011_Subaru_Outback_%28BR9_MY11%29_2.5i_station_wagon_%282015-07-14%29_02.jpg/1280px-2011_Subaru_Outback_%28BR9_MY11%29_2.5i_station_wagon_%282015-07-14%29_02.jpg

This trend is reversed in the new OB https://www.jalopnik.com/img/galler...even-more-of-what-they-want-ugliness-included/when-is-it-coming-1744639702.webp

Is the C pillar under the plastic garnish the same as before, or has it been strengthened, maybe for crash safety reasons? Same with the D pillar?

 

IMO, a feature of a "real" station wagon is elongated rear quarter glass, matching the large cargo area.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets it. The Outback hasn't looked like a station wagon for many years. Now at least it will return to looking like a wagon.

 

We need a side by side pic of this next to a 2026 ascent.

 

2026 Subaru Ascent Changes | Boston Subaru Dealer | Planet Subaru, Hanover Massachusetts

Planet Subaru introduces the 2025 Subaru Ascent with pictures, pricing, arrival date, and analysis.

www.planetsubaru.com

 

2026 Subaru Ascent Changes | Boston Subaru Dealer | Planet Subaru, Hanover Massachusetts

Planet Subaru introduces the 2025 Subaru Ascent with pictures, pricing, arrival date, and analysis.

www.planetsubaru.com

 

It looks like an SUV, which it never did before. It would be absolutely hideous as a Legacy. I'd buy one if it was offered with a 3.6.

 

The front end reminds me of the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.

 

I bought my Gen6 2020 OB XT because I liked to lower stance and sporty sleeker styling than the Forester.
Now... for 2026 if you compare the Out Back beside the Forester at a glance they look almost identical.
Not a fan of the new look for the OB ! IMO