2026 Subaru Outback — Full Specifications
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The 2026 Subaru Outback is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) / 27 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 29–32 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Subaru Outback workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2025 Subaru Outback: Fuel economy slips from 34 to 32 mpg (UK) combined on the most efficient configuration. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.5L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.4L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic (AV-S8) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | All-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 32 combined / 30 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 27 combined / 25 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 205 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,500 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2026 Subaru Outback across 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 24 to 27 mpg (US), or 29 to 32 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 29 | 24 (21/29) | 229 | $2,800 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 32 | 27 (25/31) | 205 | $2,500 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2026 Subaru Outback
Running Costs: 2026 Subaru Outback
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2026 Subaru Outback at 32 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,136 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2026 Subaru Outback Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2026 Subaru Outback as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Subaru Outback. The most-reported areas are Forward collision avoidance (8), Unspecified (8), Electrical system (6). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 4 reported injuries. That is well below the median of 380 complaints across the 14 Subaru Outback model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2026 Subaru Outback
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Driver-assist sensors (8 owner complaints) — Check that driver-assist warning lights are off and sensors are clean and undamaged.
- Electrical system (6 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Throttle & cruise control (3 owner complaints) — Check throttle response and cruise control are smooth, and ask about any software or throttle recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Subaru Outback compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 32 mpg figure is 5 mpg better than that average. Its 205 g/km CO₂ figure is 48 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
At 32 mpg (UK) combined it sits close to the 33 mpg average for Subaru models in our database.
Of the 14 Subaru Outback model years we cover, the 2026 ranks 12th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (32 mpg UK combined, against a high of 35 mpg). See every Subaru Outback year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2026 Subaru Outback
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2026 Subaru Outback have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2026 Subaru Outback: 2.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.5L 4-cyl with a automatic (av-s8).
What is the fuel economy of the 2026 Subaru Outback?
The most efficient configuration returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, or 27 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 29 to 32 mpg.
How much does the 2026 Subaru Outback cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,500 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2026 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no safety recall campaigns for the 2026 Subaru Outback as of 6 October 2026. Recalls can be issued years after a model is sold, so it is still worth checking your own VIN.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2026 Subaru Outback?
Among the 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Forward collision avoidance (8 complaints), Unspecified (8 complaints), Electrical system (6 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Subaru Outback's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 32 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.