Subaru unveils a smarter, sharper Outback for 2026
Subaru has shown the updated Outback in the United States, and this time the changes go well beyond a new grille and a polite press release. The company has rolled out its most substantial technical upgrade yet, centred on a new 30.7 centimetre multimedia system powered by a Snapdragon 8 Automotive processor. Subaru says the setup responds up to two and a half times faster than before. The screen now controls climate functions, user profiles and Google services, and the car supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Outback also receives an updated EyeSight package with several new tricks. These include acceleration assist, warnings for side impacts in strong crosswinds and under braking, and, for the first time on a Subaru, Emergency Stop Assist. If the driver becomes unresponsive, the system brings the car safely to the roadside. DriverFocus gets a wider field of view and better eye tracking that works even behind sunglasses.
The Touring and Touring XT versions move a step closer to semi autonomous driving. Their upgraded assistance system allows limited hands free travel on motorways. It can change lanes automatically, adjust speed before bends and set off again after traffic has come to a halt. In short, the 2026 Outback grows smarter, better connected and far more willing to lend a hand when the road turns busy.
