Subaru has revealed the all-new Outback, the seventh generation of its flagship SUV and the first not to be based on the Legacy, which will finally end production at the end of the current model year.
Unveiled alongside the facelifted Solterra and all-new Trailseeker EVs at the 2025 New York International Auto Show. The new Outback boasts a bold new exterior design that Subaru says gives the Outback "a more powerful presence while staying true to its roots as a practical vehicle."
The stronger and broader look is characterised by vertically stacked headlight clusters right out at the corners, while the all-new front fascia is more upright than previous models, incorporating body-color styling elements that frame the headlights and a larger grille for a more rugged look.
Along the sides, the Outback retains its familiar proportions but adopts a squarer, boxier profile with a flatter roofline. Standard raised roof rails are included with an impressive 360kg static load capacity and a 100kg dynamic load rating. Subaru says that, for the first time, the roof rails offer a lateral load capacity of up to 100kg, allowing for the attachment of items like hammocks.
The rear of the Outback sees a new light signature that visually emphasises its height and width, while the rear glass has a steeper rake, which helps to increase cargo space. The lower fascia incorporates aerodynamic and scratch-resistant cladding for enhanced practicality, while all models have 220mm of ground clearance, and for the first time, 19-inch wheels are available on certain trims, while the Wilderness trim features 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.
On the inside, the new Outback features a redesigned interior with a standard 12.1-inch touchscreen centre display and a 12.3-inch full digital gauge cluster. The infotainment system utilises a new processor for improved responsiveness and includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while climate controls are now operated via dedicated hard buttons and knobs.
The latest-generation Subaru EyeSight Driver Assist Technology is standard across the range and now incorporates three forward-facing cameras and new radar sensors. A wider-angle mono camera has been added to help spot pedestrians and cyclists sooner.
Powertrain options (for the US market at least) include a revised 2.5-litre four-cylinder boxer engine producing 134kW/240Nm, and a 2.4-litre turbocharged boxer engine delivering 194kW/375Nm. Both engines are paired with a continuously variable transmission with an 8-speed manual shift model.
Much like the refreshed Solterra and new Trailseeker EVs, there has been no word on when - or even if - the new Outback will go on sale in New Zealand, but Subaru New Zealand without an Outback just wouldn't be right, so we would expect to see it sometime in 2026.
One model we might not see here though is the Outback Wilderness that was also revealed at the show.
A US-market model that was exclusively built in LHD, the Wilderness packs unique, more rugged exterior styling, including an expanded front bumper and a bold SUBARU grille, while anodised copper-finish exterior accents on the roof rails, fog lights and reverse lights differentiate it from the standard Outback models.
Being a more off-road focused model, the Wilderness also gets reinforced underbody protection, round LED hexagonal fog lights, exclusive 17-inch matte black alloy wheels fitted with all-terrain Bridgestone Dueler tyres, and new electronically controlled dampers with acceleration sensors for "real-time damping force control", as well as 240mm of ground clearance compared to the standard Outback's 220mm.
The reprofiled bumpers and increased ride height also contribute to while it improved approach (20 degrees vs. 18 degrees), departure (22.5 degrees vs. 21.4 degrees), and breakover angles (21.2 degrees vs. 19.4 degrees) compared to the rest of the Outback lineup.
On the inside the Outback Wilderness scores "animal-free" interior seating surfaces with water-resistant and easily cleanable StarTex upholstery as standard. Like the exterior, the interior of the Wilderness gets anodised copper-finish accents, and if you don't care for that "animal-free" vibe, then Nappa leather upholstery with ventilated front seats are also available, as is a moonroof and a 360-degree Surround View Monitor.
While we have never seen the Outback Wilderness here, it could actually happen this time, with Subaru Australia confirming its eagerness to get what is now a sub-brand (Subaru has introduced Crosstrek and Forester Wilderness variants now as well) to this part of the world, having recently delayed the introduction until after the debut of next-generation models. Which this one is.
