OpenTube

LIVING WITH THE 2026 Subaru Outback - 13 Things I Learned

Downshift

95,344 views

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY BECOMING A MEMBER:
@dwnshft
-
Get your eyewear here...20% off everything!
Blenders Eyewear: https://rstr.co/blenderseyewear/4509
Code: DOWNSHIFT

The above links are affiliate links where Downshift will receive a kick-back from your order
--

Follow Downshift to see what's coming next!
FB: Facebook: dwnshftMKE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/downshiftme...
TT: TikTok: downshift_media
Website: https://downshiftmedia.us/

-

0:00 - Intro

BAD:

0:37 - No hybrid

1:53 - Ugly

3:13 - Price

4:08 - Nitpicks

GOOD:

4:45 - Standard AWD

5:20 - Trunk Space

6:28 - Driving Experience

8:05 - Rear Seats

8:43 - Tech

10:24 - Towing

10:32 - Luxuries

12:31 - Little things

13:57 - Drive

-

The 2026 Subaru Outback continues to be one of the most versatile vehicles on the road, blending SUV capability with wagon practicality and Subaru’s legendary all-wheel drive. In this review, I take a deep dive into the 2026 Outback including its performance, interior quality, technology features, and real-world driving impressions.

Whether you’re considering the standard Outback or the more rugged trims, Subaru’s flagship adventure wagon remains a favorite for road trips, outdoor lifestyles, and daily driving.

In this video we cover:
• 2026 Subaru Outback performance and driving impressions
• Interior quality and technology features
• Exterior design and updates
• Cargo space and practicality
• Pros and cons after driving the new Outback

If you're shopping for a versatile AWD vehicle, the Subaru Outback competes with SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester — but with a unique wagon-like design that many drivers love.

Subscribe for more honest car reviews, first drives, and in-depth automotive content.

#SubaruOutback #OutbackReview #SubaruAWD #2026Outback #SubaruReview

20 Comments

@dwnshft Creator 5 months ago Pinned

Special thanks to our YouTube Members for supporting the channel! If you'd like to support, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBXQM4wXOpzZPcjXMqecArA/join

@charlespatterson3936 3 weeks ago

I’ve been a big car guy since in the 1970’s. Took auto shop in High School, climb around junk yards digging for parts, Built motors, raced em’, done it all. I geek out on car stuff, and have followed the car industry for decades. When I buy a new/used car, I research EVERY aspect of the vehicle for my desired and intended use of that vehicle. Here’s what I know about Subaru’s, especially the Outback. It does exactly what the engineers and manufacturer design it to do. I’ve taken my car on long trips and the CVT always finds the right RPM for maximum MPG. It’s not meant to be floored at every stop light. Drain and fill the transmission and differential every 30k. Stay up on maintenance. Tire rotations are critical so the tires wear even, remember symmetrical AWD doesn’t allow you to just change out one worn tire if the other three have more tread on them. It relies on that tire tread to be within certain specs all the way around. Just my opinion

@ryanwhipple7645 2 months ago

I guess I’m in the minority I actually like the 26 look better than the previous years

@Pauley_in_GP 5 months ago (edited)

I've had a '26 Touring XT for about a month - I love it. Incredibly smooth and quiet ride. This is my first Subaru. Re: the styling, I never cared for the old Outback. And from all the videos I've watched, most of the "hate" seems to come from existing Subaru owners complaining that something is not like their old Subaru. (One complaint I read was that the button to close the hatch was moved to the right side. 🙄)

AFAIC Subaru got a new customer with the styling and the feature set.

@Redneckboy991 5 months ago

At 60, I don't much care how it looks. I live in Canada near the mountains and bought it for its unmatched AWD capability. Our winters see lots of snow. I'm new to Subaru and bought the top trim with the turbo. So far so good. This thing handles very nicely.

@davebirkett8334 5 months ago

I have owned the top trim for 2 months and love it. My only complaint is there are not enough cubby holes for little things. For example the console is a black hole and needs a tray.

@trilogy3three 5 months ago

The best part about reviews that describe the worst things about this car, is that they highlight how little is wrong with it.

I'm glad you were pretty clear that most of the negatives are just nits.

In fact "doesn't offer a hybrid", which certainly highlights something that would be great if offered, is not a flaw of the car you reviewed.

Appearance shouldn't be mentioned at all, even with the acknowledgement that it's subjective. Since you've created a video, just trust that people will be looking at their screen and figuring out for themselves whether they like the looks.

Price is also something that is not a problem with the car itself. And it's a weird subject these days because so much of the price is tariffs.

But I have one question for you. You noted that the rear turn signals are the only non-LEDs. Why do you think that is? It's quite possible that it's a deliberate design choice. (I think it is.) But if you think it's to save a few cents, then my question becomes, why do you think they chose the rear turn signals, out of all the possibilities?

P.S. You mentioned ambient lighting. They do offer footwell lighting as an option. Many of us are glad we don't have to pay for the added cost.

@10tenman10 5 months ago

30 mpg on the highway is quite good. Not a small car. I like it.

@andysav1 3 days ago

Absolutely loving this Aztec-style over-sweater (maybe even more than the Subaru). What brand is it??

@MarkRVillano 5 months ago (edited)

Last year (after the accidental demise of our 2009 Honda Civic) I decided that we needed a new, midsized two row SUV, so I set a budget of between $40,000 and $45,000 and went shopping. Before I made my decision I test drove a Camry, a CRV, a Tiguan (before they gave it some horsepower with the R-line), a CX50, a Tucson Hybrid, and an Outback XT.
After some serious research and consideration, I settled on the Hyundai in Limited trim and never looked back. It has plenty of scoot off the line, tons of room and storage, borderline-luxury materials and design, decent mileage (roughly 35 mpg combined), a plush ride, and most importantly ... no CVT.
They pair a 1.5 liter turbo four cylinder hybrid with a conventional six speed automatic. It accelerates and shifts like a normal car, and the transitions between EV only to electric + gas are seamless. I ended up paying just a few bucks over my $45,000 ceiling after taxes and all that other bureaucratic paperwork BS, and I can safely say that I've never been happier with a new car purchase. As an aside, my second car is a 2007 Hyundai Sonata that's still humming along.

@qbawb1 5 months ago

It is a matter of personal opinion. I think the 2026 Outback is the best looking Outback EVER!!!

@omegalamda3145 1 month ago

Received the 26’ Outback Wilderness. Everything is built with what I’ve always wanted. The WRX drivetrain, engine, oil cooler, turbo, 13-1 full turn ratio. The CVT works forever, built like the 90’s Hondas

@caseycb79 4 months ago (edited)

Our biggest meh is the new body style. The interior is PERFECTION if they had just updated the outside to look the same, but updated. Like you said, the new body style looks like EVERY other SUV and it does look like a Ford or Chevy. It's sad that they made themselves fit in rather than stand out like they always have. Thanks for this review!

@danieljhale 5 months ago

Nice review – thank you for posting! I bought my 2026 Outback Touring XT (white/black) new in January;. It's been flawless. I've used the Hands-Free Driving Assist extensively (and happily) over the course of the 3,000 miles I've put on the odometer. The '26 is markedly quieter than my two previous Outbacks. This one is Japanese-built, and it seems tighter and more solid than the previous two (which were assembled in Indiana). I personally like the styling, but I know some don't. I'm very pleased with this vehicle.

@DavyCrocket-v3x 5 months ago

Love the new upgraded look. The black trim looks more rugged than the old granny painted going to the mall plastic fenders and sides. Many vehicles are doing it today. Look at the Mazda CX30, Ford Bronco same thing. Looks new forever treated with cerakote hydrophobic coatings.

@Traumatree 4 months ago

All those little adjustments and smoothness is because of the making and assembly in Japan where quality is top notch all the time. That's the reason this version of Outback is phenomenal.

@lawdog516 4 months ago (edited)

Just purchased a 26 Outback Limited in deep emerald green pearl, my first Subaru and I’m blown away in regards to the fit and finish. My last 5 new vehicles were Hondas and this Subie blows them away. Hondas fit and finish over the years have drastically declined. The door, hood and fender gaps on this Subie are precision unlike the Hondas. Love the WRX steering box, it’s awsome and I do like the new styling which is subjective. My limited has the N/A 2.5 engine, I didn’t want a turbo and I know some people say the N/A 2.5 is sluggish but it’s all the engine I need, great review Matt

@elsaandnoah 1 month ago

Interesting enough, what you’re wearing really suits the overall look of the redesigned 2026 Subaru Outback 😁 I like it 👍

@stonefly69 3 weeks ago

The 2026 looks way better than the Soy-Boy-Station-Wagon previous versions. Men are gonna love it, but man-buns are gonna hate it.

@charliemorris9295 5 months ago

The smoke was carbon burning off of the turbo charger. The BMW N20 straight-4 does the same thing. Turbos need occasional spirited driving to keep them clean.