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Mark Miller Subaru Midtown
2026 Subaru Outback in Salt Lake City, UT
Redesigned for 2026, and still the default answer in Utah.
- Drivetrain
- Standard AWD
- EPA-Est. MPG
- 25 city / 31 hwy
- Available Horsepower
- 260 hp
- Ground Clearance
- 8.7 in
2026 Model Research
Why the 2026 Outback Works in Salt Lake City
The 2026 Subaru Outback is a full redesign, and it is the most significant change to the nameplate in its thirty-year run. The proportions are squarer and more upright than the wagon shape people grew up with, the interior is rebuilt around a 12.1-inch vertical touchscreen, and EyeSight Driver Assist Technology now adds Hands-Free Driving Assist. What did not change is the part that matters most here: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every trim, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance comes standard rather than as an off-road package.
For drivers in Salt Lake City, Sugar House, Millcreek, that combination is the reason the Outback outsells most of what it competes against. It is narrow enough to live on a residential street, tall enough to see over traffic on I-15, I-80 and the 2100 South corridor, and capable enough that Parleys Canyon in February is a normal Tuesday rather than a planned expedition. Very few vehicles at this price handle an I-15 commute and a canyon road in the same afternoon without a compromise somewhere.
2026 Outback at a Glance
| Vehicle class | Midsize two-row SUV |
|---|---|
| Standard engine | 2.5L BOXER four-cylinder, 180 hp |
| Available engine | 2.4L turbocharged BOXER, 260 hp / 277 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Lineartronic CVT with 8-speed manual mode |
| Drivetrain | Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (standard) |
| EPA-estimated MPG | 25 city / 31 hwy (2.5L); 21 / 29 (2.4L turbo); 21 / 27 (Wilderness) |
| Ground clearance | 8.7 in standard / 9.5 in Wilderness |
| Seating | 5 passengers |
| Max towing | Up to 3,500 lbs (turbo and Wilderness) |
Model Year Changes
What's New on the 2026 Subaru Outback
Completely redesigned exterior with a more upright, SUV-shaped profile and a taller roofline
New interior architecture built around a 12.1-inch vertical touchscreen with physical climate controls retained
EyeSight Driver Assist Technology expanded with Hands-Free Driving Assist, Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist
Increased cargo volume behind the rear seats and a wider, squarer load opening
Upgraded roof rails rated for heavier dynamic and static loads, with integrated tie-down points
Available Nappa leather seating and available power tilt/sliding moonroof on upper trims
Features and Capability
2026 Subaru Outback Features
Performance and Capability
Two BOXER engines carry the 2026 Outback. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 180 horsepower and is the volume choice, rated at an EPA-estimated 25 city and 31 highway mpg. The available 2.4-liter turbocharged BOXER produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, which is the version to order if you tow, run four adults plus gear up a canyon regularly, or spend time above 7,000 feet where a naturally aspirated engine gives up power.
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on every trim, not an option package
- 8.7 inches of standard ground clearance; 9.5 inches on Wilderness
- Available 2.4L turbocharged BOXER with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque
- Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control for snow, dirt, mud and deep snow
- Up to 3,500 lbs of towing capacity on turbocharged and Wilderness trims
- Electronically controlled dampers on Touring trims for a calmer highway ride
Interior, Cargo and Everyday Livability
The 2026 interior is a clean-sheet design. A 12.1-inch vertical touchscreen anchors the dash, but Subaru kept physical knobs and buttons for climate and volume, which is the right call in a vehicle people drive in gloves. Material quality steps up noticeably: StarTex water-repellent upholstery is available on mid trims and is the practical choice for wet ski gear and dog hair, while available Nappa leather with heated and ventilated front seats handles the other end of the range.
- 12.1-inch vertical touchscreen with retained physical climate and volume controls
- Available StarTex water-repellent upholstery, ideal for wet gear and pets
- Available Nappa leather seating with heated and ventilated front seats
- Standard raised roof rails with integrated tie-down points
- Wider, squarer cargo opening with a flatter fold-down load floor
- Available power tilt and sliding moonroof, and available power rear gate
Technology and Safety
Every 2026 Outback comes with EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. For 2026 the system adds Hands-Free Driving Assist on mapped divided highways, Emergency Stop Assist, and Active Lane Change Assist. On a long I-15 or I-80 run those features change the character of the drive more than any horsepower figure does.
- Standard EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with pre-collision braking and adaptive cruise
- Available Hands-Free Driving Assist for mapped divided highways
- Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist
- DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System with driver recognition
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus available wireless charging
- Available Surround View Monitor and Harman Kardon premium audio
Trim Walk
What Each 2026 Outback Trim Adds
Trims are where most of the research happens. Here is what actually changes as you move up the range, and who each one suits. Live pricing and availability for Salt Lake City are on the vehicles listed above.
Premium
2.5L BOXER, 180 hp
The value trim, and the one most Utah drivers should start with.
- Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 8.7 in ground clearance
- 12.1-inch multimedia with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- StarTex water-repellent upholstery with heated front seats
- Raised roof rails with integrated tie-down points
Limited
2.5L BOXER, 180 hp
Leather and the full safety suite without stepping up to a turbo.
- Leather-trimmed seating with 10-way power driver's seat
- Surround View Monitor and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation
- Harman Kardon premium audio system
- Power tilt and sliding moonroof
Limited XT
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
The sweet spot for canyon driving, towing and high-altitude passes.
- 260 hp turbocharged BOXER with 277 lb-ft of torque
- Up to 3,500 lbs towing capacity
- Full Limited equipment plus turbo-specific tuning
- Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
Touring
2.5L BOXER, 180 hp
Maximum comfort for highway miles and long road trips.
- Nappa leather seating with ventilated front seats
- Electronically controlled dampers for a calmer ride
- Heated rear seats and heated steering wheel
- Available Hands-Free Driving Assist
Touring XT
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Everything the Outback offers, in one build.
- 260 hp turbo BOXER paired with the full Touring interior
- Nappa leather, ventilated seats and premium audio
- Electronically controlled dampers
- Surround View Monitor and full EyeSight suite
Wilderness
2.4L turbo BOXER, 260 hp
Forest Service roads, dispersed camping and the deepest unplowed driveways.
- 9.5 inches of ground clearance and a shorter final drive ratio
- Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels
- 3,500 lbs towing capacity and a 700 lb static roof load rating
- Anodized Copper accents and full StarTex interior
Local Knowledge
Driving the Outback in Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front
Utah asks more of a vehicle than most places do. A Salt Lake City winter means inversion mornings, salted roads and a storm cycle that can drop a foot overnight on Parleys Canyon while the valley floor stays wet. Summer means triple-digit heat, long climbs and dirt roads that get rough by August. The Outback is built for both ends of that, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard rather than an upcharge.
Ground clearance is the specification people underrate until they need it. An unplowed side street in Sugar House, a washboard road to a trailhead, or a snowbank at the mouth of Emigration Canyon are all situations where a couple of extra inches decide whether you keep going. Add X-MODE for the loose and slick stuff, and standard roof rails for the ski and bike season that runs most of the year here.
Serving Outback drivers in
- Salt Lake City
- Sugar House
- Millcreek
- Holladay
- South Salt Lake
- Murray
- Capitol Hill
- The Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Rose Park
- Glendale
- Downtown Salt Lake City
Canyons and roads nearby
- Parleys Canyon
- Emigration Canyon
- Millcreek Canyon
- City Creek Canyon
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Little Cottonwood Canyon
Resorts within reach
- Alta
- Snowbird
- Solitude
- Brighton
- Park City
Cross Shopping
How the 2026 Outback Compares to Other Subaru Models
Most people shopping a Outback are weighing it against something else in the Subaru lineup. Here is the honest version of each comparison, with links to the full research page for each model.
Outback vs Forester
The Forester is shorter, cheaper and has better outward visibility. The Outback is longer, rides better on the highway, tows more and offers a 260 hp turbo the Forester does not. Pick the Forester for city parking, the Outback for road trips and trailers.
2026 Forester researchOutback vs Ascent
Same ground clearance, same standard all-wheel drive. The Ascent adds a third row and 5,000 lbs of towing. If five seats is genuinely enough, the Outback is shorter, more efficient and less expensive.
2026 Ascent researchOutback vs Crosstrek
Both give you 8.7 inches of clearance and standard AWD. The Crosstrek costs meaningfully less and parks anywhere; the Outback has far more cargo room, more power available and a much quieter highway ride.
2026 Crosstrek researchOutback vs Trailseeker
The Trailseeker is the electric answer to the same question: a tall wagon with clearance and roof rails. It is quicker and cheaper to run, but range planning replaces fuel stops. The Outback is the simpler choice if you cannot charge at home.
2026 Trailseeker researchQuestions
2026 Subaru Outback FAQs
Which 2026 Outback trim is best for Salt Lake City winters?
For plowed roads and a valley commute, a Premium or Limited on winter tires is plenty. If you regularly climb Parleys Canyon loaded, the 2.4-liter turbo in a Limited XT or Touring XT holds power better at altitude. Wilderness only pays off if you leave pavement, where its 9.5 inches of clearance and all-terrain tires do real work.
What is new on the 2026 Subaru Outback?
2026 is a full redesign. The exterior is more upright and SUV-shaped, the interior is rebuilt around a 12.1-inch vertical touchscreen, cargo space behind the rear seats increased, roof rails are rated for heavier loads, and EyeSight adds Hands-Free Driving Assist, Emergency Stop Assist and Active Lane Change Assist.
Which Outback engine is better for Utah driving?
The 2.5-liter is fine for commuting and light canyon use. The 2.4-liter turbo is the better choice if you tow, regularly carry four or five people plus gear up Parleys Canyon, or drive above 7,000 feet often. Turbocharged engines lose less power at altitude than naturally aspirated ones, which is a real advantage on Wasatch passes.
Is the Outback Wilderness worth it over a Limited or Touring?
It depends on where you drive. Wilderness adds 9.5 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, a shorter final drive and a stronger roof load rating. If you run Forest Service roads or camp off pavement, it is worth it. If you mostly drive pavement to Alta and Snowbird, a Limited XT rides better and gets better fuel economy.
How much can a 2026 Outback tow?
Turbocharged and Wilderness trims are rated up to 3,500 pounds. Non-turbo trims are rated lower. Confirm the exact rating for the trim and configuration you are considering before you buy a trailer.
Does every 2026 Outback come with all-wheel drive?
Yes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every 2026 Outback trim. It is not an option or a package, which is a meaningful difference from most competitors in the segment.
Next Step
Drive a 2026 Outback in Salt Lake City
The fastest way to settle a trim question is to drive two back to back. Tell us which canyons you drive and what you haul, and we will line them up.
Mark Miller Subaru Midtown
3535 S. State St.
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
Sales: [SALES PHONE]
Hours: [SALES HOURS]
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Specifications, equipment and availability shown on this page are based on preliminary 2026 model year information and are subject to change. EPA-estimated fuel economy and range figures are for comparison purposes only; actual results vary with driving conditions, load, temperature and vehicle condition. EyeSight Driver Assist Technology and all driver assistance systems are designed to assist the driver and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. Confirm current equipment and availability with Mark Miller Subaru Midtown.
