Outback Wilderness: Rugged Look, Modest Off-Road Gains

The 2026 Outback Wilderness adds 9.5 inches of ground clearance, rugged styling, adaptive dampers, and standard all-terrain tires for better off-road ability, but it remains largely a car. It uses the turbo 2.4L engine with a CVT (260 hp, 277 lb-ft), keeps a 3,500 lb towing limit, and delivers about 23 mpg combined. Cargo space is similar to the standard Outback, with slight increases in height and practical features, and interior upgrades are modest. Pricing starts around $46k, rising to roughly $50.5k with options. Overall, it’s a practical upgrade with bold styling, but not a dramatic leap over the standard model or a clear value over rivals.