Tested: The 2026 Subaru Outback Is Now an SUV
As soon as I got on the bus, I was confused: Is this thing really Outback?
To be honest, I went with doubts at first. You told me that Outback has become an SUV? Didn't Subaru always insist that he was a "cross-border station wagon"? As a result, as soon as I got the key, I put it there-good thing, the ground clearance was directly 9.8 inches, the chassis was ridiculously high, and the wheel arch also expanded. Standing on the side, it looked like a small Ascent. The big mouth of the front face was surrounded by a net and thicker black, and an aura of "I want to wash the sand" came over. After I finished my test drive, I stopped in front of a friend's store. The boss asked directly: "The newly mentioned Rongfang?" I was almost furious-but on second thoughts, this appearance has indeed completely separated itself from traditional station wagons.
How about driving it? The suspension is as soft as a meeting on a trampoline
I deliberately chose a potholed road to try it. In the past, I always felt like I was suffering when driving the old Outback speed bumps, but the new platform of the 2026 model adjusts the suspension so soft-you can hardly feel the sound of stones hitting the chassis, but it's like sitting on a huge jelly. Swing on it. The virtual position of the steering wheel is a little bigger than before, but in exchange for super stability during high-speed cruising, and you can just hold the steering wheel gently. The 2.4T engine is still the familiar horizontal opposition, and 180 horsepower may not sound exaggerated, but when the turbine gets involved, the feeling of pushing back can make the corners of your mouth unconsciously turn up when overtaking. But CVT... you know, when accelerating rapidly, the speed is pulled very high and the sound is like a roar, but the speed is not violent. Hardcore players may find meat, but daily commuting is definitely enough.
The interior is finally a bit "what an SUV should look like"
As soon as I sat in, I realized that Subaru was finally willing to put his thoughts on the screen. Although the 11.6-inch vertical screen cannot match the iPad's response speed, it is at least three Tesla's better than the older model. The wireless CarPlay connection never drops again, which is redemption for people like me who dislike cables. The seats are a mix of leather and suede fur, and the wrapping is reasonable, but the length of the cushion is very suitable for the thigh support. I drove it all day and didn't protest. Surprisingly, the rear floor is almost flat, and it's not embarrassing for an adult to sit in the middle-this is simply an SUV's self-cultivation. By the way, that huge panoramic sunroof has so good light that people want to grow flowers in the car.
Trunk? Stuff the next moving site
After putting the rear seat down, I can even lie in and straighten my legs (I am 178cm tall). According to official data, the maximum volume is more than 75 cubic feet, which is nearly 10 cubic feet more than the old model. I helped my friends pull up an Ikea bookcase over the weekend, and it was easily stuffed with four people and luggage. The tailgate opening is very wide, and the electric induction door is responsive. It opens with just a swipe of your feet under the car logo, making it easy to hold the box in your hand. To be honest, I'm a little doubtful whether this car is an SUV or a minivan-this loading capacity is too exaggerated.
Cross-country? Light crossing is okay, but heavy crossing is okay
I specially found a tractor road covered with gravel to test it. The X-Mode system is as reliable as ever. The power distribution in the mud mode is very smart. The wheel slippage is locked instantly, and there is no sign of getting stuck throughout the journey. The advantage of high ground clearance is that you don't have to worry about choosing a path at all, just run over it. However, the approach angle and departure angle are still not as good as a serious hard-core SUV, so those big rocks approaching 30° have to be careful. In addition, the original factory equipped tires have good grip, but the sidewall is too thin, and you may feel distressed if you scratch sharp rocks.
fuel consumption performance| I guess you'll stare at the dashboard and babble
The official said that the comprehensive fuel consumption was 10.7L/100km, but I measured it to be almost 11.3L, and the traffic jam in the city directly jumped to 12.5L. 2.4T is heavy with a big car, so if you want to save fuel, you basically rely on your feet. However, it has improved compared with the old model. After all, it has more automatic start-stop and cylinder closing technology. Running at a high speed of 110km/h can stabilize the 9L level, provided that you don't always have the idea of getting the floor oil cool. Anyway, after I opened a box of oil, I silently calculated the bill in my heart-it was about 200 yuan more than the old one at home. It was acceptable, but it hurt.
A few last words| It's no longer the docile wagon
To be honest, I was a little resistant to this transformation at first. Outback has always been the "last stubbornness of a four-wheel-drive station wagon" in my heart, but now it has grown taller, stronger, and a little greasy. But after two days of driving, I have to admit that it does more meet the car needs of most people: the higher ground clearance makes you no longer afraid of bad roads, and the more space allows you to pull people and goods. Calm, and the iconic horizontally opposed engine and Symmetric AWD are still there, and the basic control is still there. So if you're like me and miss both the dexterity of the old wagon and the practicality of the SUV-then the 2026 Outback may be the only option you don't have to compromise on. Of course, in addition to fuel consumption.
