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The brand new, seventh-generation Subaru Outback due in 2026 would be the first mannequin from the Japanese model in Australia to be accessible in a extra rugged flagship model from the brand new Wilderness sub-brand.
In a recorded video announcement, Subaru Australia confirmed the brand new Outback for native showrooms. The model additionally confirmed the inclusion of the primary Wilderness mannequin variant for Australia after delays within the sub-brand’s launch right here.
Subaru has bought Wilderness variations of the Outback, Forester and Crosstrek in North America since 2021, every providing mechanical and beauty upgrades designed to supply an off-road edge.
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“Wilderness isn’t just a mannequin,” mentioned Subaru Australia common supervisor Scott Lawrence within the video announcement.
He mentioned Wilderness fashions provide “depth past a badge… a deliberate halo for the model… for purchasers who prioritise real off-road potential and journey”.
“What STI is to our efficiency vary, Wilderness is to our SUVs,” mentioned Mr Lawrence.
Whereas initially concentrating on patrons within the US with regionally made automobiles, the Outback Wilderness bought right here will likely be sourced from Japan.
It would are available in Wilderness and Wilderness Apex grades, changing the present lineup’s XT Sport and Touring as the one turbocharged Outback variants in native showrooms – however they are going to be priced at the least $6000 greater, from $59,690 earlier than on-road prices.
The common seventh-generation Outback lineup will begin at $48,990 earlier than on-roads, with the Wilderness benefitting from the core attributes of the brand new Outback, which is taller and wider than the present mannequin.
The Wilderness will likely be visually distinguished externally by extra rugged trying black wheel-arch cladding, which additionally seems beneath its LED headlights, and black exterior mirror caps.
Beneath the rugged exterior will likely be a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer petrol engine – codenamed FA24F – matched to a constantly variable automated transmission (CVT).
It’s the identical powertrain supplied within the present Outback XT, however with outputs elevated to 194kW/382Nm – positive factors of 11kW and 32Nm – in comparison with the 137kW/254Nm 2.5-litre flat 4 in the remainder of the vary.
This makes the Wilderness essentially the most highly effective Subaru SUV, together with earlier STI variations of the Forester.
As in Wilderness automobiles bought abroad, the ‘eight-speed’ CVT auto has had its synthetic shift factors tweaked, too.
There’s additionally a shorter closing drive for improved off-road efficiency – and whereas they aren’t confirmed for Australia, US variations embody a transmission oil-cooler, rear differential temperature sensor, and a recalibrated all-wheel drive system bringing sooner centre diff locking to boost traction.
Off-road potential is additional enhanced by 20mm of additional floor clearance (now 240mm), and adaptive suspension within the type of Wilderness-specific digital dampers made by German provider ZF, enabling two distinctive X-Mode suspension settings.
Whereas Wilderness automobiles bought abroad experience on Yokohama Geolandar tyres on five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, and the instance on show on the 2025 Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo final month ran BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres in the identical 225/70 measurement, press photographs offered by Subaru Australia present 225/60 Bridgestone street tyres on six-spoke 18-inch wheels.
Outback Wilderness automobiles will even include water-repellent ‘hydrophobic’ artificial leather-based upholstery, wi-fi smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.1-inch horizontal multimedia touchscreen changing the earlier Outback’s vertical show.
The Outback Wilderness Apex provides sat-nav, a powered sunroof, surround-view digicam and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and prices $3000 extra at $62,690 earlier than on-roads.
Subaru is but to verify when and if different Wilderness fashions will come to Australia, however it seems doubtless – given the language surrounding the Outback Wilderness – that different fashions will obtain the identical therapy.
The Outback is the automaker’s third hottest mannequin in Australia, behind the Forester – a brand new era of which was launched right here in 2025 – and the smaller Crosstrek.
Subaru isn’t the one model eyeing extra rugged off-road automobiles positioned as premium or halo choices, with Ford president Jim Farley having mentioned he needs to supply a “supercar for gravel” to place the US automaker because the “Porsche of off-road”.
MORE: Discover the Subaru Outback
