Wilder
These days, the Wilderness subbrand of Subaru cars is as Subaru as the automaker’s vehicles get. They’re the most outdoorsy and capable, but also feature some luxuries and a bit of visual clout on the side — a pair of brand new Danner Mountain Light boots with the red laces. Shiny, Instagrammable sheen aside, it’s easy to forget the Wilderness models are, just like those boots, intended to serve a very real purpose. The Wilderness badge made its debut on an Outback way back in 2022, so we knew the redesigned 2026 model would be followed by a Wilderness variant offering additional off-road capability.
Its new interior is also much more luxurious, livable, and user-friendly than the previous incarnation. More buttons and new screens are the big changes, a response to feedback from owners. This time, the customer was right, and the new 12-inch screens are functional without being distracting, thanks in large part to the presence of the physical controls. Wilderness models boast a few key changes, namely some gold accents and stitching, the odd Wilderness badge, branded rubber mats, and some new graphics for the screens.
There’s a new focus on luxury in the Wilderness lineup including optional Nappa leather seating. Check the box (to the tune of $4,090) for that option package and in addition to the ventilated 12-way adjustable seats, you’ll get new tech features like a 360-degree camera and heated mirrors.
The new Outback Wilderness does demand a fair few dollars in exchange for all that comfort and capability, with a starting price of $46,445 including destination charges. Still, selecting every option just pushes the Outback over the $50K mark, coming in at $50,535 including destination, which is about average for a new car in America.
The money went somewhere, though, and the Outback Wilderness delivers on its promise to capture a more refined on-road driving experience. Much of that can be credited to the model’s new electronically controlled suspension setup, which will react to driver inputs to counter body roll. The Wilderness corners flat, rides smoothly, and keeps you isolated from the road. You won’t hear the new Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires too much, and wind noise is kept to a minimum. The powertrain, a turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer four-cylinder also delivers a pleasant experience, with 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. It’s enough to make the Outback feel quick when paired with its all-wheel drive system, and the CVT automatic transmission largely stays out of your way. Buyers wanted an off-roader that didn’t feel like one on the commute, and Subaru delivered by upping the ride quality and refinement.
The Wilderness mission statement is still very much focused on the model’s ability to perform off-road and it’s still just as good as it’s always been in that application. Subaru’s standard all-wheel drive is paired with all-terrain tires and a big ol’ lift to increase clearances, angles, and traction. Subaru’s X-Mode is, of course, present and accounted for. It’s a software solution to an off-road problem, with Snow/Dirt and Deep Snow/Mud settings for optimized traction across various surfaces. It’ll now turn back on when you dip back below the speed-determined deactivation point, too, which is helpful for navigating roads that are treacherous in one spot and perfectly serviceable around the next bend.
We tested the Wilderness in the not-so-wild farmlands of Northern California, and frankly, the thing never felt challenged. The route showcased its suspension articulation, and there’s enough to clear tough, uneven tracks with ease. It can efficiently navigate slick trails thanks to the added grip from its all-terrain tires, help from X-Mode, and the standard hill-descent control feature. Screw up, and an aluminum skid plate should help mitigate damage.
Our drive route consisted only of muddy farm roads, without any serious rock-crawling, and a few somewhat slick and tricky descents exacerbated by recent rains. It all felt a little too safe. By now, the brand’s reputation for serious off-road ability is well-established enough that we trust the Wilderness is capable of more than what we saw, but the opportunity to truly push the SUV will have to wait.
You could argue that looking more capable is just as important as being more capable, and the new Outback Wilderness certainly looks the part, even if you are just sitting in traffic. The distinguishing metallic accents that have become a Wilderness model calling card are present on the roof rack and bumpers, and Wilderness badges flank the car as a reminder of the SUV’s off-road mission statement. On the trunk, Subaru has fitted a raised trim piece for you to rest your snowboards, kayaks, fishing poles, or whatever else, against the tailgate while you gear up. Expanded roof rack capacity means you can mount or hang just about anything up there, too.
The updates produce a predictable final product: more on-road comfort and better off-road capability than ever before. Goal: achieved. Box: checked. The 2026 Outback Wilderness is still the most Subaru you can buy, and caters well to the kind of outdoorsy, active crowd the brand has carved a niche with. It represents the most maximalist extension of Subaru’s brand identity, and it happens to be a solid off-road rig, too. Without some of the inherent compromises present in a $50,000 Bronco or Wranlger, like road noise and ride quality, Subaru delivers something that’s still highly capable and just as stylish and luxurious as those shiny Danner boots.
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