Subaru strikes a decisive blow against digital overload, presenting Outback 2026 – a car whose most significant change is both the most expected and the most logical. This time, the Japanese are not just following trends, but listening to the voice of their consumers, who have been insisting on one thing for years – to regain physical control over the climate system. The criticism of the previous model, where even the basic temperature setting was "buried" deep in the menus on the touch screen, has obviously been heard, and in the most literal sense.
The manufacturer, belatedly but with dignity, recognizes the power of tactile feedback, abandoning the portrait-oriented display that dominated the center console. As a result, the Outback 2026 dashboard doesn't just look better - it's fundamentally more intuitive. A compact HVAC display sits proudly beneath the central air vents, discreetly displaying key parameters. And now comes the culmination: on either side of it are two solid rotary temperature control knobs, designed for the driver and passenger.
But that's not all! Designers have gone even further down to bring back separate, easy-to-reach buttons for controlling fan speed, activating the air conditioning, and controlling seat heating/cooling. This is, without a shred of exaggeration, the most positive transformation that Subaru could have offered. These returned mechanical elements provide that fast, safe and uninvolved interaction that is essential when driving and that the screen will never completely replace.
However, the interior evolution is far from ending with the buttons. The heart of the infotainment system has been completely renewed. The previous vertical screen gives way to a horizontal 12-inch display. It is no longer dominant, but functionally integrated. The real leap lies under the glass: the system runs on a new processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Automotive, supported by the Adreno graphics module. According to official information from Subaru, the RAM has been doubled. Translated into user language, this means: faster data processing, smooth graphics and instant interface response. For a car that is a favorite of travelers for long journeys, where navigation and multimedia are in constant working mode, this is more than a mandatory improvement.
The technology package is also supplemented with features that are already standard for a modern car. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available from the base level, and to ensure that the driver's hands remain on the wheel, Google Assistant is integrated for voice control of multimedia and navigation. This combination aims to improve safety by minimizing distractions.
With all this modernization and technological advancement, it is clear that there is a financial price. Subaru has already officially confirmed that the Outback 2026 is noticeably more expensive. The base price starts at $34,995, excluding the $1,450 delivery fee. That's an increase of about $5,000 over its predecessor. The manufacturer argues for the jump with a new electronic architecture, expensive multimedia hardware, a redesigned interior and a general increase in the cost of components. Unfortunately, these investments have not been transferred to power - under the hood remains the atmospheric 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, combined with a CVT transmission. The focus is on ergonomics and comfort, not on dynamics. But, as they say, good things come at a price, and for many owners, regained physical control is priceless.
