An Outback EV? Next-gen 2026 Subaru Outback could skip the UK and Europe but the name might live on as a Kia EV5-rivalling electric car

After six generations the Subaru Outback looks set to be dropped in markets like the United Kingdom and the European Union because of emissions regulations.

But, according to a report from UK’s Auto Express, the Outback name could live on as an electric car.

The publication quoted Subaru’s General Manager for Europe, David Dello Stritto, as saying that the seventh-gen Outback would be “simply unsellable in Europe” due to the amount of CO2 it produces and the related taxes.

This means it will also be dropped from the UK line-up after the current-gen model ends production.

However, the nameplate might continue. Auto Express said the new Subaru Trailseeker EV might not use that name when it launches and could instead go for something like ‘E-Outback’ or ‘Outback EV’.

The story is quite different in Australia where the Outback will continue to be offered in seventh-gen guise.

Subaru’s local importer is still yet to confirm timing for the new Outback.

Revealed at this year’s New York motor show, the new Outback adopts a traditional SUV shape, eschewing the jacked-up wagon look of all previous generations of the iconic nameplate.

Initially at least the Outback will be available with two petrol powertrains, including an updated 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an continuously variable transmission (CVT) as well as a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder unit also with a CVT.

A hybrid is believed to be in the works for the Outback but timing is unclear.

The Trailseeker, which was also revealed at the New York motor show, is also under consideration for Australia but yet to get the official green light.

Based on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform that underpins the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra EV twins, the Trailseeker is bigger in size and has a more wagon-like design.

The Trailseeker comes with a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery and a 280kW output, good enough for an approximate driving range of 420km.

The current-gen Outback landed in Australia in early 2021 so has only been on sale here for a bit over four years.

While it is technically categorised as an SUV in Australia, it is one of the few remaining wagon-like models in the large segment. Only the Skoda Superb remains among more mainstream brands.

The Outback is Subaru’s third best-selling vehicle in Australia, with 4771 units sold in the first six months of 2025.

Subaru’s Forester, which just launched in sixth-generation guise in Australia, is the brand’s top seller (6495 sales), followed by the small Crosstrek (6002).

The Solterra EV is Subaru’s slowest seller by a decent margin, with just 121 finding homes this year. That’s less than the niche BRZ sports car that’s sold 437 units.