Any thoughts on the 2026 outback?
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2026 Outback
outback lover 2008
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I'm repeating myself again, but it seems to me the most controversial part of this new OB SUV is by far the front end, and to a lesser degree the cladding. The rest of the exterior styling is IMO decidedly uninteresting and ain't gonna set the automotive world on fire. Well neither is the front, it's generic PU/SUV.
I think it will drive pretty much the same as Gen6, seeing as it is the same underneath the sheet metal.
I have friends who hated the Acura 'eagle beak' and the Lexus 'thimble' front ends, but they had enough balancing reasons to buy them anyway. So it will be IMO for the OB SUV, especially for longtimers, who will have their reasons to like it one way or the other. As we and Subaru both know, Subaru loyalty dies hard.
I do think it will sell in fewer numbers than before, as it is aimed higher in the market. Almost every given new model must either get bigger, or go upmarket, so that that that manufacturer can charge a higher price for it and generate more $$.
I think it will drive pretty much the same as Gen6, seeing as it is the same underneath the sheet metal.
I have friends who hated the Acura 'eagle beak' and the Lexus 'thimble' front ends, but they had enough balancing reasons to buy them anyway. So it will be IMO for the OB SUV, especially for longtimers, who will have their reasons to like it one way or the other. As we and Subaru both know, Subaru loyalty dies hard.
I do think it will sell in fewer numbers than before, as it is aimed higher in the market. Almost every given new model must either get bigger, or go upmarket, so that that that manufacturer can charge a higher price for it and generate more $$.
I still can't begin to imagine what Subaru was thinking when they completely abandoned the Outback icon, and replaced it with this ugly, generic box using the same name. I hope my '22 (ordered new summer '22 and about 32,xxx miles now) lasts a long time. Otherwise I'll be looking for a great low-mile Gen 6 -- hopefully won't need to anytime soon. If I were for some reason cross-shopping other models, the new Gen 7 "Outback" would not even make the list of possibles.
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Wow! Turned an OK looking car, my 2020 Outback, into a really blocky looking ugly mess.
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Brick wall in front, plastic trim on the sides… Aerodynamics? Nah, we have eyebrows now.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.
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Honestly, it looks like it wandered off a Chevy lot and into Subaru’s office.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.
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Honestly this feels like someone said “Make it bigger add lots of plastic and call it a day.” The front end definitely gets noticed, probably more than intended and the rest of the car is just along for the ride.
Maybe it drives like the previous generation so that’s nice but my eyes are not convinced. They threw aerodynamics out the window… literally, probably with the old design.
Maybe it drives like the previous generation so that’s nice but my eyes are not convinced. They threw aerodynamics out the window… literally, probably with the old design.
I would like to propose a theory as to why Subaru elected to do a radical change in the design of the Outback.
Until 2026, the Outback design followed that of Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, i.e. a "wagon" with some curves and "sweeping" lines. But, Subaru has never been a "luxury" car in terms of the interior and (fortunately) price, and it was not meant to be.
Until the 2026 model, there was to some extent a dichotomy between the looks and Subaru's "image" as a car to be driven in the city and off road, a vehicle for "adventure and exploring". Indeed, Subaru is known (and appreciated) for its symmetrical AWD and its ability to go nearly anywhere (when including Wilderness versions).
In the last several years, Subaru has "doubled down" on being the "better Jeep". Their ads show the car in national parks, off the beaten path, at campsites, etc. Subaru is not touting "luxury" but practicality, "fun" as in mountain biking, skiing, camping etc. This is the "niche" that Subaru has or wants to fill, despite the obvious fact that most owners probably have never taken their Outback (except perhaps Wilderness owners) truly off road.
Mercedes owners drive up to the opera; Subaru owners drive to the campsite.
Furthermore, Subaru has decided it needs more "younger" buyers. The demographics of sales of the Crosstrek seem to support this decision. These potential buyers do, or certainly "intend to", go camping, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Their self image is not in their parents' Mercedes or Volvo or Audi.
So, Subaru decided to make an Outback that looked tough, aggressive, "in your face", "I can meet any challenge and go anywhere I want." Thus the truck like appearance of the front (especially the 2026 Wilderness), and the boxy body. The extra cargo space, the increase in height, the increase in the strength (carrying ability) of the roof rails, etc. The ads for the 2026 emphasize these aspects of design and functionality.
I am sure, via focus groups, Subaru knows it will lose some of its (previously) loyal Outback owners. But, I suspect that these focus groups, indicated that Subaru will gain far more of the younger buyers -- and (unfortunately for those of us that do not fall into this demographic) these are the buyers who will be purchasing cars for the next 30 years.
I have enjoyed owning 6 Outbacks thus far, so I obviously like the "wagon" style. But, the interior of the 2026 and the advanced electronics and safety capabilities, have enticed me to tolerate the outside for the benefits of the inside (which, after all is only what I see and encounter while driving). My dealer says my 2026 will be here in November.
Maybe the exterior appearance will "grow on me."
Until 2026, the Outback design followed that of Volvo, Mercedes, Audi, i.e. a "wagon" with some curves and "sweeping" lines. But, Subaru has never been a "luxury" car in terms of the interior and (fortunately) price, and it was not meant to be.
Until the 2026 model, there was to some extent a dichotomy between the looks and Subaru's "image" as a car to be driven in the city and off road, a vehicle for "adventure and exploring". Indeed, Subaru is known (and appreciated) for its symmetrical AWD and its ability to go nearly anywhere (when including Wilderness versions).
In the last several years, Subaru has "doubled down" on being the "better Jeep". Their ads show the car in national parks, off the beaten path, at campsites, etc. Subaru is not touting "luxury" but practicality, "fun" as in mountain biking, skiing, camping etc. This is the "niche" that Subaru has or wants to fill, despite the obvious fact that most owners probably have never taken their Outback (except perhaps Wilderness owners) truly off road.
Mercedes owners drive up to the opera; Subaru owners drive to the campsite.
Furthermore, Subaru has decided it needs more "younger" buyers. The demographics of sales of the Crosstrek seem to support this decision. These potential buyers do, or certainly "intend to", go camping, hiking, mountain biking, etc. Their self image is not in their parents' Mercedes or Volvo or Audi.
So, Subaru decided to make an Outback that looked tough, aggressive, "in your face", "I can meet any challenge and go anywhere I want." Thus the truck like appearance of the front (especially the 2026 Wilderness), and the boxy body. The extra cargo space, the increase in height, the increase in the strength (carrying ability) of the roof rails, etc. The ads for the 2026 emphasize these aspects of design and functionality.
I am sure, via focus groups, Subaru knows it will lose some of its (previously) loyal Outback owners. But, I suspect that these focus groups, indicated that Subaru will gain far more of the younger buyers -- and (unfortunately for those of us that do not fall into this demographic) these are the buyers who will be purchasing cars for the next 30 years.
I have enjoyed owning 6 Outbacks thus far, so I obviously like the "wagon" style. But, the interior of the 2026 and the advanced electronics and safety capabilities, have enticed me to tolerate the outside for the benefits of the inside (which, after all is only what I see and encounter while driving). My dealer says my 2026 will be here in November.
Maybe the exterior appearance will "grow on me."
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2,110 Posts
Those are well thought out observations ✅
I think the new OB caught a lot of people by surprise because, after all, Subaru is known for evolution, not revolution. We had the a family resemblance in styling of the first three OB gens, and then from gen4-6. The Outback concept was developed with each successive generation, as Forester and Impreza were have also developed step by step.
Then at some point Subaru decided the OB concept was not sufficient to carry them forward, and the discontinuation of Legacy gave them an opportunity to move out to the SUV segment. They made a clean break from OB6 to OB7, at least as far as the interior and exterior are concerned. Maybe following the Toyota practice, when doing generation changes, of rolling out the new drivetrain or the new body, but not both at the same time?
Seems like a good number of current and past OB owners have shocked by the change, having become used to gradual evolution. Will they "buy it"?
I think that for some brands, let's say MB or BMW, the models are aimed at a very specific customer base, for whom style and prestige are maybe 60-70% of the purchase decision, and the rest is factors like value for money and practicality. For Subaru it's the exact opposite, where the style part of the equation is much less important. So the styling and SUV marketing may not make much difference to future OB buyers, if enough of their other requirements are met. Different cars for different customers.
Enjoy your new OB and the first kid on the block feeling
I think the new OB caught a lot of people by surprise because, after all, Subaru is known for evolution, not revolution. We had the a family resemblance in styling of the first three OB gens, and then from gen4-6. The Outback concept was developed with each successive generation, as Forester and Impreza were have also developed step by step.
Then at some point Subaru decided the OB concept was not sufficient to carry them forward, and the discontinuation of Legacy gave them an opportunity to move out to the SUV segment. They made a clean break from OB6 to OB7, at least as far as the interior and exterior are concerned. Maybe following the Toyota practice, when doing generation changes, of rolling out the new drivetrain or the new body, but not both at the same time?
Seems like a good number of current and past OB owners have shocked by the change, having become used to gradual evolution. Will they "buy it"?
I think that for some brands, let's say MB or BMW, the models are aimed at a very specific customer base, for whom style and prestige are maybe 60-70% of the purchase decision, and the rest is factors like value for money and practicality. For Subaru it's the exact opposite, where the style part of the equation is much less important. So the styling and SUV marketing may not make much difference to future OB buyers, if enough of their other requirements are met. Different cars for different customers.
Enjoy your new OB and the first kid on the block feeling
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