For more than two decades, the Subaru Outback has been a fixture of WA driveways. It does the school run on Monday, the hardware run on Wednesday and the drive to Margaret River on Friday night. Now the all-new seventh-generation Subaru Outback has arrived in Australia, and it looks noticeably different from the wagon many families know.

That change explains the search trend. Queries for the 2026 Subaru Outback now outnumber almost every other question about the nameplate, closely followed by towing capacity and reliability. Buyers want to know what's new, what's gone and whether the outgoing model is now the smarter buy.

Here's a clear look at all three.

What's different about the 2026 Subaru Outback?

The new Outback is taller, boxier and more SUV-like, but it keeps the fundamentals that made it popular.

• More ground clearance: 220mm on the standard range, up from 213mm on the outgoing model.
• New cabin technology: a 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone mirroring, and over-the-air software updates.
• Updated safety: the latest EyeSight driver assist adds a wide-angle camera and front radar, plus an Emergency Driving Stop System. There are now nine airbags.
• A simpler engine line-up: the Outback AWD, Premium and Touring use a 2.5-litre boxer making 137kW. The 2.4-litre turbo, now making 194kW and 382Nm, is reserved for the Wilderness grades.
• Still all-wheel drive: Symmetrical AWD and X-Mode remain standard across the range.
  
  

Which 2026 Outback grade suits a WA family?

The entry Outback AWD already covers the essentials: EyeSight, wireless smartphone mirroring, X-Mode, ladder-style roof rails and water-repellent seat trim that copes with wet swimmers and sandy kids.

The Premium adds a 12-speaker premium sound system, a 360-degree camera, satellite navigation, a sunroof and power front seats. The Touring builds on that with Nappa leather, heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger and ventilated front seats, which are worth having in a Perth summer.

How much can the Subaru Outback tow?

The new 2.5-litre Outback is rated to tow up to 2,000kg braked, and the turbo Wilderness up to 2,100kg.

Here's the detail many buyers miss: the outgoing turbocharged Outback XT was rated at 2,400kg. If you tow a heavier caravan or a larger boat, the previous model actually offers more headroom.

For WA owners that difference is real. A small tinnie heading to Hillarys sits comfortably within either rating. A family camper trailer loaded for a fortnight down to Albany or Esperance might not. Before you choose, check your trailer's aggregate trailer mass (ATM) and remember that passengers and gear in the car count against what you can safely carry.

New or outgoing Outback: which makes more sense?

It depends on what you value most.

Choose the outgoing model if:

• You need the 2,400kg towing capacity of the turbo XT.
• You want turbo performance with Nappa leather and Touring-level trim, a pairing the new range no longer offers.
• You'd like to take advantage of runout or demo pricing on remaining stock.

Choose the new model if:

• You want the latest safety technology and the larger screens.
• The extra ground clearance matters for gravel roads and campsite access.
• You plan to keep the car for many years and want the newest platform.

The most useful thing you can do is drive both. Dealers holding outgoing stock alongside the new range, such as Perth City Subaru in Victoria Park, make that easy. If you're browsing Subaru Outback for sale in Perth, ask to drive the two generations back to back on the same route.

Is the Subaru Outback reliable?

The Outback has a long-standing reputation for durability, but reliability comes down to how it's maintained, especially in WA conditions.

• Stick to the service schedule. Boxer engines appreciate regular oil changes, and the CVT automatic should have its fluid serviced as the manufacturer recommends.
• Watch the air filter. Red dust from regional trips clogs filters faster than city driving.
• Wash the underbody after beach runs. Salt and sand are hard on brakes and suspension components.
• Use the warranty. New Outbacks come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, so log any concern early.

Search interest in reliability problems is high, and much of it relates to older models. If you're buying used, a complete service history is worth more than low kilometres.

Is the Outback a 4WD?

No. The Outback is all-wheel drive, not a four-wheel drive with low-range gearing. X-Mode adjusts throttle, transmission and traction control to help on loose or slippery surfaces.

In practice, that makes it very capable on gravel roads, forestry tracks and well-formed routes to campsites and beaches. It isn't designed for serious rock-crawling or deep river crossings, which remain the job of dual-range 4WDs.

Subaru Outback: quick answers

Is there a hybrid Subaru Outback in Australia? No. The current Australian range is petrol only, with a choice of 2.5-litre or 2.4-litre turbo engines.

How many seats does the Outback have? Five.

What's the Outback's ground clearance? 220mm on the standard range and 240mm on the Wilderness.

Can you still get a turbo Outback? Yes, but in the new range only as the Wilderness or Wilderness Apex.

The bottom line

The 2026 Subaru Outback is a more modern, more capable and more technology-rich car than the one it replaces, with extra clearance and better safety systems. The trade-off is the simpler engine line-up and lower towing ratings than the old turbo.

For most WA families, the new model is an easy recommendation. If heavy towing or turbo performance with luxury trim matters most, the outgoing model is still well worth a look while stock remains. Either way, an honest look at how you'll use the car — the school run, the weekend escape and anything you'll hitch to the back — will point you to the right one.