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Subaru, rally… Outback? Surely not.
Yes, Subaru is a family identify within the rallying world – that is the place the WRX (World Rally eXperimental) and its STI efficiency division grew to fame – however the automobile you see on check right here could not be additional faraway from motorsport.
Yet, that is the automobile Subaru Australia is utilizing to construct a brand new type of efficiency credibility, bearing an off-road sub-brand nameplate that Australians will discover unfamiliar regardless of its comparatively latest introduction in early 2026. It’s the Subaru Outback Wilderness.
Wilderness is Subaru’s newest sub-brand and is concentrated on off-road journey relatively than motorsport efficiency. Debuting in 2021, it was unique to North America earlier than arriving in Australia practically 5 years later.
It undoubtedly would not carry the identical weight because the STI identify, and we’re but to listen to phrase on native releases of the Crosstrek and Forester variations that would additional flesh out the sub-brand’s native presence. Still, Subaru Australia hasn’t forgotten about Wilderness, nor has it deserted rallying.
The Japanese model not solely stays closely concerned within the Australian Rally Championship, but in addition helps the extra area of interest Sunraysia Safari Rally held yearly in distant New South Wales. Conveniently sufficient, the latter was held final week.
For 2026, it once more backed the Subaru-centric efforts of the Maximum Motorsport crew, but it surely additionally fielded a non-competitive touring group for the primary time. It then invited media together with CarExpert to affix stated group, to place the Outback Wilderness by its paces – correctly.
That meant our first in-depth take a look at the flagship 2027 Subaru Outback Wilderness Apex happened on two precise phases of the Sunraysia rally, a uniquely brutal surroundings for a principally normal manufacturing car. This evaluation will due to this fact be barely completely different to the standard.
How does the Outback Wilderness Apex stack up when the going will get powerful, and is it worthy of Subaru’s flagship off-roader standing?
How a lot does the Subaru Outback price?
The Wilderness Apex is the most costly model of the Subaru Outback at present on sale. It’s priced at $62,690 earlier than on-road prices.
| Model | Price earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2027 Subaru Outback AWD | $48,990 |
| 2027 Subaru Outback AWD Premium | $53,490 |
| 2027 Subaru Outback AWD Touring | $56,990 |
| 2027 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness | $59,690 |
| 2027 Subaru Outback AWD Wilderness Apex | $62,690 |
In phrases of enormous, car-based (monocoque) SUVs, the one true competitor to the off-road-focused Wilderness is the Hyundai Palisade XRT Pro. Like the Wilderness, the XRT Pro options normal all-wheel drive, presents a singular powertrain in contrast with its overarching mannequin vary, and naturally guarantees enhanced (however nonetheless mild) off-road means.
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However, whereas the five-seat Outback is formally classed as a big SUV, the Hyundai is significantly bigger, presents three rows of seating, and is way more costly at $79,900 earlier than on-roads.
Subaru’s occasion automobiles had been all fitted with all-terrain tyres, a brand new accent choice. They’re obtainable with a brand new 18-inch alloy wheel design in units of both 4 or 5, priced at $4286.93 and $5274.12 respectively. All-terrains are normal on the US-market Wilderness.
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What is the Subaru Outback like on the within?
The inside is not actually the main focus of this evaluation, so we’ll preserve our impressions temporary. It’s factor that there is not an excessive amount of to unpack right here.
To us, it is a large improve over the previous-generation Outback. Where the previous mannequin had Subaru’s clunky, aged portrait-style infotainment touchscreen, the most recent one has a slick new 12.1-inch unit that not solely seems higher, however is much extra responsive and due to this fact simpler to make use of.
Its icons are additionally large, aiding legibility. The model has additionally confirmed that is an in-house system (not derived from, say, Toyota tech), making it a shoo-in for Subaru’s finest touchscreen to this point. That’s a low bar, however one cleared nonetheless.
As a part of that, it is an enormous plus that the Outback has reverted to a bodily local weather management system. Situated low on the centre stack, the local weather panel is extremely straightforward to determine on the fly, and its buttons and knobs really feel nice. It’s removed from space-age, and that is factor.
The most superior piece of tech in right here is the digital instrument show. It seems good graphically, and steering-wheel buttons permit you to flick by completely different info widgets and backgrounds. A spotlight is the map view, which sits properly behind the digital dials on both aspect.
Physicality is a theme of the Outback’s cabin, but it surely is not all good. The steering wheel, as an illustration, seems fairly cluttered with its beneficiant assortment of buttons. Finding particular person controls can take a second, particularly the steering wheel heating button positioned behind the underside spoke.
At least there’s a big, traditional-style gear selector on the centre console, and just some buttons for varied driving-related controls. Being a Wilderness, it additionally options loads of luxurious touches like leather-based on the seats and steering wheel, heated seats, and powered driver’s seat adjustment.
Unfortunately, the entrance passenger seat is just manually adjustable, and there isn’t any seat air flow. That final level is notable, partly as a result of that is supposedly an adventurous car to be used in often-sweltering Australia, however principally as a result of the Apex is the flagship Outback.
And in that sense, you may additionally be questioning what the Apex provides over the usual Wilderness. The reply is just 4 issues: native sat-nav, a surround-view digicam, sunroof, and Harman Kardon audio. We’d have liked to see the total bevy of Subaru options utilized right here.
Still, the whole lot you do get is kind of good. On high of sturdy perceived construct high quality, the seats are comfy and supportive with a variety of changes for the driving force, and the ergonomics are properly dialled-in. We can even commend the dearth of piano-black plastic wherever in right here.
Front-row storage is sweet, with a big centre console field, centre console cupholders, and varied slots and cubbies scattered about. There’s additionally a wi-fi telephone charger forward of the shifter, which sits under two USB ports – one A and one C.
As for house, the cabin feels very ethereal. The boxy physique, whereas not precisely lovely, opens issues up, and the comparatively slim A-pillars and enormous rear-end home windows make for glorious outward visibility. Interior house is especially sturdy within the second row.
Headroom and legroom are each excellent, and the massive aspect home windows imply it would not really feel too boxed-in. Outboard passengers even get seat heating, with the related buttons positioned on the again of the centre console alongside two extra USB ports and air vents.
Opening the ability tailgate additionally reveals an enormous boot. It would not fairly match as much as the Palisade’s, however that is a three-row SUV. This cargo maintain is way more spacious than in most of Australia’s standard mid-size SUVs.
Better but, there is a full-size spare wheel underneath the boot flooring. This is a typical becoming within the Outback whatever the trim stage, and selecting the optionally available all-terrain tyres – offered you go for the set of 5 wheels – would not change that.
The Outback is kind of a sensible car, with a pleasing cabin through which to spend time.
| Dimensions | Subaru Outback Wilderness |
|---|---|
| Length | 4880mm |
| Width | 1880mm |
| Height | 1735mm |
| Wheelbase | 2745mm |
| Cargo capability | 530L (rear seats up) 1211L (rear seats folded, to seatback) |
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What’s underneath the bonnet?
The Outback Wilderness is powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged ‘boxer’ petrol engine delivering 194kW of energy and 382Nm of torque – the identical engine as within the WRX, however down 8kW and up 32Nm. Drive is distributed to all 4 wheels through a repeatedly variable computerized transmission (CVT).
| Specifications | Subaru Outback Wilderness |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L 4cyl turbo-petrol boxer |
| Power | 194kW |
| Torque | 382Nm |
| Transmission | ‘8-speed’ CVT |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1781kg – Wilderness 1802kg – Wilderness Apex |
| Fuel financial system (claimed) | 9.7L/100km |
| Fuel financial system (as examined) | 13.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capability | 63L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane common unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 228g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 2100kg |
While the Outback Wilderness comes with a CVT auto as normal, it has a handbook mode with eight simulated steps. This lets you use both the standard shift lever or the steering wheel paddles.
Additionally, Wilderness fashions are the one Outback variants to supply a turbocharged powertrain. Regular Outbacks get a 137kW/254Nm 2.5-litre naturally aspirated boxer 4 as a substitute.
Note that the distinctive nature of driving at this occasion made our recorded gasoline financial system determine far increased than Subaru’s declare.
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Subaru Outback drive?
We know this kind of driving is a bit past what most homeowners will put their automobiles by, but it surely’s additionally a helpful demonstration of what the Outback Wilderness can actually do.
Our most up-to-date evaluation of the new-generation Outback famous little distinction between the common variants and the Wilderness grades, which is honest, given a lot of that driving was finished crawling over delicate rocks and inclines on campsite trails.
But outback Australia is completely different. Really completely different.
The Sunraysia rally’s aggressive phases happen fully on non-public property – infinitely massive farms zig-zagged with bumpy, sandy, potholed entry tracks, sudden crests and dips, hidden rocks and tree stumps, and deep lavatory holes that will fortunately take away a automobile’s bumper if not traversed rigorously.
These are the types of trails you’d solely wish to tackle with a lifted rally automobile or a Baja-ready Ford Ranger Raptor. Yet by some means, that is the place the Outback Wilderness got here to life.
Several issues are at play right here. One is the adaptive suspension damper setup distinctive to the Wilderness, which does not really supply driver adjustment. Instead, sensors detect highway and car circumstances to regulate the dampers as required.
Another is the turbocharged engine, once more a singular Wilderness aspect. It presents way more grunt than the opposite Outback engine throughout the board, and in follow it is the right powerplant for this explicit objective.
The ultimate addition is the now-optional all-terrain Pirelli Scorpion rubber. These tyres are genuinely excellent and complement the Outback’s styling with their meaty look, however Subaru costs far an excessive amount of at $4286.93 – a set of 4 is accessible independently for roughly $1200 every.
Combine all of that, and you find yourself with a surprisingly succesful Subaru SUV, even by the model’s personal requirements. With roughly 100km of rally phases forward of us, that rapidly grew to become clear.
Our 10-strong group set off just some minutes behind the ultimate aggressive runner, which meant we would be traversing the already-rough tracks after the sector of filth bikes and rally automobiles had torn them up much more.
But the Wilderness wasn’t fazed, exhibiting outstanding composure proper off the bat. With only a trace of wheelspin off the road after we would ‘deactivated’ traction management – extra on that later – the all-terrain tyres proved extremely succesful in maintaining the automobile on the straight (and sometimes very) slim.
Of course, it helped that we had fixed radio instruction from multi-time Australian rally champion Cody Crocker within the lead Wilderness, with ample warning about upcoming turns and hazards. The precise opponents might solely dream of such luxurious.
As we felt extra comfy within the automobile, the velocity naturally picked up. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than we had been shifting with real tempo, and since we had been third within the convoy, we had little motive to carry again.
The most shocking factor in regards to the automobile was its suspension. It constantly saved the Outback’s physique in verify with out an excessive amount of fuss, usually doing an excellent job of maintaining the tyres in touch with the bottom.
Because the extraordinarily dusty floor was so free, this did wonders for general stability. At increased speeds, the boldness with which it soaked up bumps and holes saved the automobile from spearing off track and right into a tree. It additionally made the automobile straightforward to put on the observe regardless of the unsteady floor.
Naturally, there have been imperfections. Sudden holes usually had the shocks quickly extending to their most, and high-speed bumps typically got here quicker than the suspension might compress, each of which created an audible, bodily clunk contained in the cabin.
But these cases had been few and much between, and the suspension’s positives method outweighed its negatives. Larger bumps and crests had been soaked up properly with no undue bobbing or bouncing, and the plush seats helped preserve issues comfy inside.
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Ride peak is one other space the place the Wilderness actually is not missing. With 240mm of clearance, it rides 20mm increased than the common Outback, and 28mm increased than the Palisade XRT Pro.
In the rally’s closely rutted twists and turns, we misplaced rely of what number of occasions we braced for underbody affect, solely to seek out the Wilderness glide by with no challenge in any respect. It’s value noting that Subaru’s X-Mode has its personal suspension tweaks, but it surely’s extra for sluggish off-roading.
The automobile additionally proved nimble sufficient for a few of the rally’s twistiest sections, with the electrical energy steering providing respectable suggestions in regards to the floor passing underneath the entrance wheels. This once more aided stability, even when it nonetheless is not fairly as communicative as an old-school hydraulic system.
The Outback usually fell into deep ruts dug by the rally automobiles, but it surely appeared glad sufficient to comply with alongside regardless of how harsh it felt from inside. Important in such areas had been these all-terrain tyres, which labored properly with the all-wheel drive system to maintain issues shifting.
On one event, we entered a lavatory gap at a barely slower tempo, and the automobile slowed considerably. I responded by planting the throttle, at which level the tyres spun up, mud sprayed in every single place, and the Outback pulled itself out.
Traction, nonetheless, is not value as a lot if you do not have the grunt to take full benefit of it. That’s the place the engine is available in, and its efficiency was greater than sufficient for the phases we accomplished.
Though there’s solely slight turbo lag, peak energy would not hit till 5600rpm, which suggests you need to preserve the engine revving for max ahead progress. That’ll be very acquainted to individuals who have pushed older WRXs arduous.
The finest technique to keep within the powerband is to make use of handbook mode, as a result of the CVT would not reduce the mustard with out assist. As clean and daily-drivable as it might be, it simply would not supply the sharpness we wanted for this type of driving.
Manual mode makes use of simulated steps within the transmission to supply ‘gears’, and it does job of holding these gears like a standard auto would. There remains to be a slight delay when shifting manually – Subaru makes no secret that this isn’t the ‘efficiency’ CVT fitted to the WRX.
Holding third or fourth ‘gear’ helped keep away from frequent shifting, whereas dropping to second gave the additional punch essential to get some sliding occurring out of sharp turns. At least, that was the considering.
The Outback’s most vital limitation on this surroundings is its traction management. Like loads of different new automobiles, it has a ‘traction off’ button on the centre console, but it surely solely loosens the system’s reins. It cannot be disabled fully.
That’s completely superb for the light-duty off-road driving the Outback Wilderness will normally be subjected to, but it surely grew to become a persistent issue on the rally. Every time sideways motion appeared possible, the system would bounce in, reducing energy and grabbing the brakes.
It was arguably extra intrusive on the deep sand sections of the course, the place it might detect wheel slip when travelling in a straight line and throw out the anchors by itself. This even occurred whereas we had been bowling alongside at 110km/h.
That doesn’t suggest sliding was inconceivable, although. You can induce lift-off oversteer within the slackened traction management state and, so long as you ignore your instincts to steer into the slide, the automobile will not intervene.
With that information, we had been capable of begin inducing powerslides on the exit of turns, even when they had been troublesome to maintain given the necessity to keep away from steering enter. The spectacular mud clouds reaffirmed that the engine was greater than as much as the duty on this lairy off-roading.
The traction management state of affairs leads us into the remainder of the Outback’s security gear. Some programs are unavoidable, specifically the anti-lock brakes that made themselves recognized once we had been heavy-handed on free surfaces, however a lot of the automobile’s tech could be deactivated through the touchscreen.
Given we would usually be driving into partitions of mud or barreling in the direction of corners with timber in shut proximity, we had been informed to do exactly that. So we dived into the automobile’s settings menus and disabled the whole lot we might discover – the dashboard was fairly actually lit up like a Christmas tree.
This labored precisely as meant. Commendably, at no level on the rally phases did any warnings relating to autonomous emergency braking or collision avoidance crop up, leaving us to our personal units. Naturally, nonetheless, we had to do that each time we began the automobile.
But we additionally spent a while on sealed roads as we transited between phases and base camp. Most security programs proved competent when energetic, however that pesky driver monitor is as annoying as it’s within the newest variations of the Crosstrek and Forester.
That’s a disgrace and a downgrade as a result of it’s going to beep at you for spending too lengthy wanting on the display, the local weather system, or out the aspect window. And whereas it may be deactivated, you will need to do it each time you get in. At least it turns itself off if the driving force is sporting sun shades.
Other than that, the Outback Wilderness turned out to be fairly a formidable out-of-the-box package deal. It held up remarkably properly to the abuse of the hardcore rally phases – it even tracked straight once we returned to the blacktop – and allow us to have extra enjoyable than anticipated all through the day.
Obviously, the all-terrain tyres are most likely the one most helpful addition when you’re shopping for one to go off-road. They do not even compromise the Outback on-road as they’re comfortably quiet, and will even soften the journey barely in contrast with the usual highway-terrains. If solely they weren’t so costly.
And whereas we all know a automobile’s off-road means is inversely associated to how a lot the driving force cares about it, the Wilderness fared higher right here than the common Outback would have. That’s largely because of the tyres, but in addition the benefits of the additional peak and extra subtle damping setup.
All stated, it isn’t day-after-day you get to drive in a rally, and it is commendable for a model to again its car in a method that allowed it to occur in any respect.
| Off-road dimensions | Subaru Outback Wilderness |
|---|---|
| Track entrance and rear | 1575mm – entrance 1600mm – rear |
| Ground clearance | 240mm |
| Approach angle | 20.0º |
| Departure angle | 23.6º |
| Ramp breakover angle | 21.2º |
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
The Wilderness Apex is the – drum roll, please – apex of the five-variant Outback vary.
2027 Subaru Outback tools highlights:
- Non-turbo 2.5L petrol powertrain
- 18-inch alloy wheels (darkish metallic end)
- Full-size spare wheel
- Automatic LED headlights (steering-responsive)
- LED entrance fog lights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Power-folding aspect mirrors
- Ladder-style roof rails
- Black artificial leather-based seat upholstery
- 8-way energy driver’s seat with lumbar
- Heated entrance seats
- Leather-wrapped gear selector
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Black inside stitching
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 12.1-inch infotainment show
- Wireless Apple CarPlay
- Wireless Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 6-speaker sound system
- 1 x USB-A port
- 1 x USB-C port
- Dual-zone local weather management
- Steering wheel paddles
- Power tailgate
- X-Mode drive mode
Outback Premium provides:
- Heated steering wheel
- 8-way energy entrance passenger seat
- Satellite navigation
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Electric sunroof
Outback Touring provides:
- 18-inch alloy wheels (machined gloss end)
- Auto-dipping, auto-folding aspect mirrors
- Black Nappa leather-based upholstery (brown optionally available)
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Four-way driver’s seat lumbar assist
- Driver’s seat place reminiscence
- Silver inside stitching
- Wireless telephone charger
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
2027 Subaru Outback Wilderness tools highlights:
- Turbo 2.4L petrol powertrain
- 18-inch alloy wheels (matte-black end)
- Full-size spare wheel
- Adaptive dampers
- Unique exterior and inside design with Wilderness branding
- Front bumper underguard
- Unique LED entrance fog lights
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- Black water-repellent upholstery
- Wilderness embossing on head restraints
- 8-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar
- Heated entrance seats
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Yellow inside stitching
- ‘Wilderness theme’ digital instrument show
- Wireless telephone charger
- Copper-colour inside and exterior accents
- Dual tailpipes
- X-Mode drive mode (2 modes)
Outback Wilderness Apex provides (over Wilderness):
- Electric sunroof
- Satellite navigation
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
Options
A plethora of equipment can be found for the Outback Wilderness, most of that are meant to enhance practicality and cargo-carrying means. We’ve chosen just a few that had been fitted to the automobiles on the occasion.
2027 Subaru Outback Wilderness equipment:
- 18-inch ‘Rugged Wheel’: $2798.92
- 18-inch ‘Rugged Wheel’ with Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tyres (set of 4): $4286.93
- 18-inch ‘Rugged Wheel’ with Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tyres (set of 5): $5274.12
- Engine underguard: $427.79
- Running boards: $1197.79
- Weather shields: $447.13
To see how the Subaru Outback stacks up towards the competitors, try our comparability software