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Subaru Outback Premium 2026 review: snapshot

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EXPERT RATING
8.0

Likes

Brilliant, luxurious packaging
Dynamic sophistication
Ease, comfort and fun

Dislikes

Average warranty
Divisive design
No manual option
Photo of Byron Mathioudakis
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

The Subaru Outback AWD Premium is the one-up from entry-level version of the seventh-generation model.

Kicking off from $53,490, before on-road costs, the Premium is arguably the best value of the lot considering what you get for your money.

Like the base AWD, items run to climate control, synthetic leather trim, a 12.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, 12.3-inch electronic instrumentation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, digital radio, heated front seats with powered driver’s side, a powered tailgate, 'X-Mode' off-road mode, roof rails and 18-inch alloy wheels with a full-sized spare.

Yet the AWD Premium lives up to its name with an electric sunroof, heated steering wheel, a powered front passenger seat, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio upgrade and 360-degree view camera with front and side-view monitors.

Speaking of safety, there’s much the same list of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) technologies, with AEB, rear-cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, a blind-spot monitor, traffic-sign recognition and adaptive cruise control as well as nine airbags.

Subaru’s venerable 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed ‘boxer’ four-cylinder petrol engine is fitted, making 137kW of power at 5800rpm and 254Nm of torque at 3700rpm. Drive is transmitted to all four wheels constantly via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight artificial steps that mimic a torque-converter automatic. No manual gearbox is offered.

This powertrain returns a combined average fuel consumption figure of 8.1L/100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 183 grams per kilometre. Filling up the 63L tank with 91 RON standard unleaded petrol, the average range is around 777km.

Read the full 2026 Subaru Outback review

Subaru Outback 2026: Awd Premium

Engine Type Flat 4, 2.5L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 8.1L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $53,490
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$48,990
Price is based on the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the lowest priced Subaru Outback 2026 variant.
LOWEST PRICE
$48,990
HIGHEST PRICE
$62,690
Photo of Byron Mathioudakis
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

Byron started his motoring journalism career when he joined John Mellor in 1997 before becoming a freelance motoring writer two years later. He wrote for several motoring publications and was ABC Youth radio Triple J's "all things automotive" correspondent from 2001 to 2003. He rejoined John Mellor in early 2003 and has been with GoAutoMedia as a senior product and industry journalist ever since. With an eye for detail and a vast knowledge base of both new and used cars Byron lives and breathes motoring. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was acquired from childhood by reading just about every issue of every car magazine ever to hit a newsstand in Australia. The child Byron was the consummate car spotter, devoured and collected anything written about cars that he could lay his hands on and by nine had driven more imaginary miles at the wheel of the family Ford Falcon in the driveway at home than many people drive in a lifetime. The teenage Byron filled in the agonising years leading up to getting his driver's license by reading the words of the leading motoring editors of the country and learning what they look for in a car and how to write it. In short, Byron loves cars and knows pretty much all there is to know about every vehicle released during his lifetime as well as most of the ones that were around before then.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$53,490
Lowest price, based on new car retail price.
For more information on
2026 Subaru Outback
See Pricing & Specs

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