2026 Subaru Outback redesign Debuts With Snapdragon 8 Power and Higher Prices
The Subaru Outback has spent decades living between the wagon and the SUV. For 2026, however, Subaru is pushing the model squarely into the crossover market. The 2026 Subaru Outback redesign features a more upright, athletic SUV profile paired with a comprehensive overhaul of its in-car technology, signaling a new era of digital capability for the brand.
This move isn’t just about styling. The result is a model that uses its model-year update to showcase the company’s newest infotainment, safety systems, and driver-assist features, delivering a significant leap forward from the outgoing model.
Here is a breakdown of the major tech and price changes for the new generation.
The Technology Overhaul
The 2026 Subaru Outback redesign becomes the first Subaru to receive the brand’s next-generation digital hardware, which is standard across the lineup.
| Feature | New Specification | Old Specification (2025) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Automotive (Octa-core) | Older processor |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.1-inch High-Resolution | 11.6-inch |
| Digital Cluster | New 12.3-inch Configurable Display | Analog/Small Digital Screen |
| Smartphone Connect | Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | Wired |
| Performance | 2.5x faster system response time | N/A |
| Cargo Space | 34.6 cu. ft. | 32.6 cu. ft. |
Advanced Safety and Hands-Free Driving
The Outback debuts Subaru’s updated EyeSight system, which features a wider camera angle and new functionality.
- Hands-Free Assist: Touring and Touring XT trims gain limited hands-free highway operation capabilities at speeds up to 85 mph.
- Emergency Braking: New features include acceleration override assist and front and side alert assist with braking.
- Safe Lane Selection: The system now includes Emergency Stop Assist with Safe Lane Selection, which can slow the vehicle and move it to the shoulder if an unresponsive driver is detected.
DriverFocus has also been upgraded with better detection and more precise gaze tracking.
Price Jumps and Trims
The 2026 Subaru Outback redesign brings a noticeable jump in price, partly because the previous entry-level Base trim is no longer offered. The new starting point is the Premium trim.
| Trim | 2026 Starting MSRP (Excl. Dest.) | 2025 Starting MSRP (Approx.) |
| Premium | $34,995 | ~$32,000 (Estimate for comparable trim) |
| Limited | $41,715 | ~$38,000 |
| Wilderness | $44,995 | ~$42,000 |
| Touring XT | $47,995 | $44,730 |
The core tech upgrades are standard across the lineup, meaning even the Premium trim gets the massive performance boost from the Snapdragon 8 processor. However, the more advanced driving-assist features, including the limited hands-free highway operation, are reserved for the upper Touring and Touring XT trims.
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