What Does the 2026 Subaru Outback's Pricing Mean for Shoppers?
Subaru redesigned its popular Outback for the 2026 model year, trading its wagonlike looks for more of an SUV silhouette and adding more occupant space, cargo room and physical buttons for the climate and audio controls. It also got a bigger bottom line.
Related: Redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback Gets Price Bump, Starts at $36,445
When the 2026 Subaru Outback goes on sale later this year, it’ll start at $36,445 — $5,030 higher than the 2025 model’s price (all prices include $1,450 destination charge). So, what do you get for that big price jump?
More Standard Features
First, the 2026 Outback gets fresh looks and more standard features than the outgoing model. The entry-level Premium trim rides on 18-inch wheels instead of the previous base model’s 17-inch wheels. It also now features standard push-button start, windshield-wiper de-icers and a power liftgate. Compared to the previous standard 7-inch screen (an 11.6-inch screen was available), the 2026 model’s standard cabin tech consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Even the base trim level is upholstered in synthetic leather instead of the 2025 model’s cloth and comes with a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control with rear-seat vents.
In addition, the 2026 Outback has more standard safety equipment than the outgoing model. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite is standard on every 2026 Outback; it includes forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, front and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, emergency steering assist, a driver-attention monitor and automatic high beams. (For 2025, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, blind spot monitors and emergency steering assist were not standard on all models.)
What Else Contributed to the Outback’s Price Increase?
A lot of content has been added, but another, less tangible factor in the SUV’s ballooning price could also be at play: tariffs enacted by the current presidential administration, which affect Subaru because the old Outback was manufactured in Indiana and production of the new model was moved to Japan.
During the prior administration, tariffs on light-duty vehicles and parts imported from Japan was just 2.5%. But in mid-July, the U.S. and Japan reached a trade agreement that reduced tariffs on goods imported from Japan, including automobiles and auto parts, from 25% to 15%; it took effect Aug. 1.
The 2026 Subaru Outback goes on sale later this year, with the Wilderness variant following early next year. The new model has some big shoes to fill in terms of sales and popularity, too: In 2024, Subaru sold 168,771 Outbacks, up 4% from 2023. Will its price be a turnoff for shoppers?
Read More Subaru Outback Coverage:
- 2026 Subaru Outback and Outback Wilderness Up Close: Practically Perfect, In Every Way
- All-New 2026 Subaru Outback Searches for a New Middle Ground
- 2025 Subaru Outback Review: An Oldie but Very, Very Goodie
- Buy This, Not That: 2025 Subaru Outback or 2025 Toyota Crown Signia?
- Research the Subaru Outback
- Find Your Next Car
Related Video:
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
