2026 Subaru Outback Touring Review: The Anti-SUV Wagon Holds Its Ground

For nearly three decades, the Subaru Outback  has carved out a distinct, fiercely loyal  niche in the Australian automotive landscape. While the rest of the market rushed headlong into tall, blocky SUVs, Subaru stuck to its guns. By taking the practical body of a family station wagon, raising the suspension, adding tough plastic cladding, and fitting an advanced permanent all-wheel-drive system, the Outback became the ultimate anti-SUV. It offered the off-road capability needed for weekend camping trips without the cumbersome, boat-like handling of a high- riding four-wheel drive.

For 2027, Subaru has rolled out a major update to keep its flagship relevant. The most obvious changes are inside the cabin: the polarizing vertical portrait screen of the previous model has been banished, replaced by an all-new widescreen  12.1-inch  infotainment  display  and  a  crisp   12.3-inch  digital   instrument  cluster.   Underneath,  the mechanical recipe remains largely unchanged. The standard range relies on a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four- cylinder 'Boxer' engine paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). If you want turbocharged power, you now have to step across to the separate, ruggedized 'Wilderness' variants.

Priced at $56,990 before on-road costs, the Outback Touring tested here represents the absolute luxury pinnacle of the naturally aspirated lineup. Swathed in Nappa leather and packing a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, it aims to deliver  European executive comfort at a mainstream price point. But with a kerb weight pushing  1.7 tonnes, does the 2.5-litre engine lack the passing punch required for Australian regional highways? And does the heavy fuel consumption justify ignoring the wave of new hybrid SUVs? In this comprehensive YEECAR 3.0 review, we break down pricing,  real-world fuel thirst, cabin  practicality, and dirt-road dynamics to deliver the definitive verdict.

HOW MUCH DOES THE 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING COST?

Let's talk pricing. The 2027 Outback lineup has been expanded, clearly separating the luxury-focused naturally aspirated models from the rugged, turbocharged Wilderness variants.

The standard range opens at $48,990 before on-roads for the base Outback AWD. This represents a significant price jump over previous years but reflects a massive bump in standard technology, including the new 12.3-inch digital dash, 12.1-inch widescreen infotainment, and adaptive LED headlights. The mid-spec Premium ($53,490) adds a sunroof, built-in navigation, and heated front seats.

The variant on test here is the luxury-focused Outback AWD Touring, priced at $56,990 before on-road costs. Once dealer delivery, state stamp duty, and registration are applied, the Touring lands around $61,500 to $63,000 drive-away depending on your state. For the extra outlay over the Premium, the Touring delivers genuine executive luxury: you get supple Nappa leather upholstery (available in black or brown), ventilated front seats, a memory function for the driver, heated rear outboard seats, a wireless phone charger, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

If  you  want  serious  turbo  performance  and  raised  suspension,  you  must  spend  over  $60,000  on  the  new Wilderness  grades.  But  for  buyers  seeking  a  comfortable,   highly  equipped  daily  family   hauler,  the  Touring represents a very compelling alternative to top-spec mid-size SUVs like the Mazda CX-5 Akera or Toyota RAV4 Cruiser.

WHAT IS THE 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING LIKE ON THE INSIDE INCLUDING DIMENSION?

Step  inside the Outback Touring, and you are welcomed  by an  interior that feels  robust,  highly  practical,  and genuinely luxurious. Subaru has wisely abandoned the divisive, glare-prone vertical portrait screen of the previous model, totally redesigning the dashboard to accommodate a far superior horizontal layout.

Build quality is incredibly solid. The doors close with a heavy thud, and there is zero flex in the center console. Soft- touch padded materials wrap the upper dashboard, door tops, and knee rests. The Touring grade distinguishes itself with  premium  Nappa  leather  upholstery.  The  front  seats  are  wonderfully  plush  and  supportive  for  long- distance touring, offering 8-way power adjustment for the driver, a seat memory function, four-way power lumbar support, and active ventilation. The steering wheel is wrapped in high-quality leather, feeling thick and tactile, and offers manual tilt and reach adjustment alongside a heating function. Crucially, Subaru has separated the climate controls from the touchscreen, providing physical buttons and dials for immediate temperature adjustments on the move.

The technological leap is massive. Taking center stage is an all-new 12.1-inch widescreen infotainment display. It responds  quickly,  features  crisp  graphics,  and  supports  wireless  Apple  CarPlay  and  wireless  Android  Auto seamlessly. It also includes built-in TomTom satellite navigation—a crucial feature when off-roading in remote areas without phone reception. Ahead of the driver sits a brilliant 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, replacing the old analog dials. It is highly customizable, allowing you to display full-screen maps or detailed driver assistance data. The 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system delivers phenomenal clarity, making long highway stints a joy.

Dimensions, Passenger Space, and Wagon Practicality

The Outback's wagon silhouette provides distinct packaging advantages over traditional upright SUVs, specifically regarding cargo depth and loading height.

Second-row passenger space is phenomenal. Thanks to the long 2745mm wheelbase and flat wagon roofline, two tall adults  have vast  knee  room, excellent toe  room  under the front  seats, and generous  headroom. The  rear seatbacks recline slightly for extra comfort on long road trips. Rear occupants are treated to dedicated directional air vents, dual fast-charging USB ports (USB-A and USB-C), map pockets, and a fold-down center armrest with cupholders. In the Touring grade, the outboard rear seats are also heated. Child seats are easily installed via two outboard ISOFIX mounting points and three top tether anchors.

Cargo practicality is the Outback's superpower. The hands-free power tailgate opens to reveal a long, flat, and highly usable 530-litre boot. Because it is a wagon, the load lip is lower than a traditional SUV, making it much easier to slide heavy suitcases or lift large dogs into the back. Dropping the 60/40-split rear seats via quick-release levers in the boot expands cargo capacity to a cavernous 1844 litres. The boot area includes tie-down hooks, a 12V power socket, shopping bag hooks, and LED lighting. Crucially for outback touring, lifting the boot floor reveals a genuine full-size matching alloy spare wheel.

WHAT'S UNDER THE BONNET?

The standard 2027 Outback lineup relies on Subaru’s traditional, naturally aspirated powertrain recipe, prioritizing smooth delivery and mechanical simplicity over outright turbocharged punch.

Under the bonnet sits a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated horizontally opposed 'Boxer' four-cylinder engine. It produces a modest  137kW  of  power  and  245Nm  of  torque.  Power  is  routed  through  Subaru’s  Lineartronic  Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which features eight artificially programmed 'steps' to mimic the feel of a traditional automatic gearbox under hard acceleration.

The defining mechanical asset of the Outback is its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. Unlike many mid-size SUVs that run in front-wheel drive and only send power rearward when slipping, Subaru's system constantly drives all four wheels, providing exceptional mechanical grip in all weather conditions. It features a selectable 'X-Mode' system for off-road driving, optimizing traction control and engaging hill descent control for steep, slippery trails. Braked towing capacity is rated at a respectable 2000kg, and the 63-litre fuel tank runs happily on cheap 91 RON regular unleaded petrol.

HOW DOES THE 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING DRIVE?

On Australian  roads,  the  Subaru  Outback  Touring delivers  an  exceptionally  relaxed,  planted,  and  comfortable driving experience, though its naturally aspirated engine demands patience.

Urban Commuting and Powertrain Limitations

Around town, the Outback is incredibly easy to live with. You sit higher than a regular wagon but lower than a full- size 4x4, providing a commanding view over the bonnet without feeling top-heavy. Forward and side visibility is excellent, aided by slim A-pillars and large windows. The electric power steering is light at low speeds, making the 4.8-metre wagon surprisingly agile through suburban roundabouts. The turning circle is sharp, and the surround- view camera helps with parking, though the camera resolution remains disappointingly grainy compared to modern rivals.

The major dynamic drawback is the powertrain. Moving off the line gently, the 2.5-litre engine and CVT are smooth and  unobtrusive.  However,  when  you  demand  heavy  acceleration  to  merge  onto  a  busy  110km/h  freeway  or overtake a truck on a country road, the engine feels severely underpowered. Because it lacks a turbocharger, you have to rev the engine hard to access its 245Nm of torque. The CVT holds the engine at high, noisy RPMs, and building speed takes time. It is a car that demands a calm, relaxed driving style.

Ride Comfort and Highway Touring

Where the Outback absolutely excels is ride comfort. Operating with 220mm of ground clearance and compliant suspension tuning, it glides over harsh suburban speed humps, deep potholes, and broken bitumen beautifully. It isolates the cabin from sharp impacts better than almost any rival in its class. Because it retains a wagon silhouette, its center of gravity is lower than a traditional SUV. This means it corners with impressive flatness and stability, avoiding the wallowing, boat-like sensation of taller four-wheel drives.

On the highway, it is a phenomenal touring machine. Acoustic double-glazed front windows and heavy insulation keep wind roar and tyre noise completely sealed out of the cabin. The vehicle tracks perfectly straight, feeling heavy, secure, and planted at 110km/h.

Off-Road Capability

Point the Outback down a wet, muddy fire trail, and it will go further than 90% of its competitors. The permanent Symmetrical AWD system provides unrelenting grip on slippery clay and wet grass. With 220mm of clearance, it easily navigates deep ruts and washouts without scraping its belly. Engaging X-Mode adjusts the traction control to allow controlled wheel slip, while the hill descent control walks the heavy wagon down steep, loose descents at a safe, steady crawl. It is not a hardcore rock-crawler—it lacks a low-range transfer case—but for accessing remote campsites or snowy alpine resorts, it is brilliant.

WHAT ARE THE STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS FOR EACH VARIANT?

Subaru equips the entire Outback  range with exceptionally  high  levels  of standard safety, comfort, and digital technology.

2026 Subaru Outback AWD Standard Equipment:

• 18-inch dark metallic alloy wheels with full-size spare tyre

• Automatic LED headlights (steering-responsive) with LED fog lights

• Heavy-duty ladder-style roof rails with integrated crossbars

• Hands-free power tailgate

• Rain-sensing variable windscreen wipers

• Black synthetic leather seat upholstery with 8-way power driver’s seat

• 12.3-inch customizable digital instrument cluster

• 12.1-inch widescreen central touchscreen infotainment display

• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto

• DAB+ digital radio and 6-speaker audio system

• Dual-zone automatic climate control air-conditioning

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters

• X-Mode off-road traction control system

Outback AWD Premium Adds:

• Electric tilt-and-slide glass sunroof

• Built-in satellite navigation (TomTom)

• Heated front seats and 8-way power passenger seat

• Heated steering wheel

• Front-view and side-view monitor cameras

Outback AWD Touring Adds (over Premium):

• 18-inch machined gloss alloy wheels

• Auto-dipping and auto-folding side mirrors

• Premium Nappa leather seat upholstery (Black or Brown options)

• Ventilated (cooled) front seats

• Heated outboard rear seats

• Driver’s seat position memory and four-way power lumbar support

• 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium surround-sound audio system

• Wireless smartphone charging pad

• Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror

IS THE 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING SAFE?

Safety is the cornerstone of the Subaru brand. The Outback carries a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating and comes equipped with the latest generation of Subaru’s highly regarded EyeSight active driver assistance suite. It features nine protective airbags, including a front-centre airbag designed to prevent occupant head clashes during severe lateral side impacts.

Standard Safety Equipment Highlights:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection

• Reverse Autonomous Emergency Braking (Reverse AEB)

• Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centring Assist

• Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

• Lane Departure Warning and Lane-Keep Assist

• Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Assist

• Driver Monitoring System (facial recognition camera)

• Emergency Driving Stop System

• Surround-view 360-degree camera system

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Active Torque Vectoring

While the EyeSight system provides an incredibly comprehensive safety net, its calibration can be frustrating. The Driver Monitoring System, which uses a camera on the steering column, is hyper-sensitive. It frequently chimes and flashes "Keep Eyes On Road" warnings if you simply glance at your side mirrors or adjust the climate control. The active lane centering system can also feel slightly clumsy and invasive on winding country roads, prompting many drivers to disable it via the touchscreen menus.

HOW MUCH DOES 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING TO RUN?

Running costs are the Outback's main vulnerability. The combination of a heavy chassis, permanent all-wheel drive, and a naturally aspirated engine results in heavy fuel consumption compared to modern hybrid rivals.

Subaru claims an official combined fuel economy figure of 8.1L/100km. During our real-world Australian testing encompassing congested city traffic, rural roads, and highway cruising, the trip computer settled on a disappointing average of 10.1L/100km.  In  heavy stop-and-go city driving, consumption frequently pushes past  11.5L/100km. While it drops back to the low eights during steady 110km/h highway cruising, the Outback is significantly thirstier than hybrid competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Fortunately, the 63-litre fuel tank runs happily on cheap 91 RON regular unleaded petrol, softening the blow at the bowser.

Warranty Coverage and Scheduled Servicing

Subaru Australia backs the Outback with an established and transparent ownership program:

• Vehicle Warranty: 5 Years / Unlimited Kilometres

• Roadside Assistance: 12 Months Complimentary

• Service Intervals: 12 Months or 12,500 Kilometres

• 5-Year Capped-Price Servicing: $2,351 Total ($470 average per service)

Scheduled servicing is required every 12 months, though the distance interval is a slightly short 12,500km. Over the first five years, capped-price servicing totals $2,351, averaging an affordable $470 per visit. Combined with Subaru's famously strong resale value and proven mechanical reliability, long-term maintenance costs are very predictable.

YEECAR'S VERDICT ON THE 2027 SUBARU OUTBACK TOURING

The 2027 Subaru Outback Touring remains a beautifully executed, highly practical alternative to the traditional family SUV. The new 12.3-inch digital dash and widescreen infotainment system have modernized the cabin brilliantly, while the Nappa leather, Harman Kardon audio, and supreme ride comfort make the

Touring grade feel genuinely luxurious on long road trips. However, the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine is its Achilles' heel. It feels sluggish when overtaking on the highway, and returning over 10.0L/100km in the real world makes it look thirsty against the latest wave of hybrid SUVs. The hyperactive driver monitoring chimes and low-resolution parking cameras are also annoying daily frustrations.

If you want sharp performance or ultimate fuel efficiency, look elsewhere. But if you value cavernous boot space, class-leading wet-weather traction, supreme ride comfort, and a vehicle built tough enough to survive years of Australian outback camping trips, the Subaru Outback Touring remains a deeply charming, uniquely capable family wagon.