The new, seventh-generation Subaru Outback due in 2026 will be the first model from the Japanese brand in Australia to be available in a more rugged flagship version from the new Wilderness sub-brand.
In a recorded video announcement, Subaru Australia confirmed the new Outback for local showrooms. The brand also confirmed the inclusion of the first Wilderness model variant for Australia after delays in the sub-brand’s launch here.
Subaru has sold Wilderness versions of the Outback, Forester and Crosstrek in North America since 2021, each offering mechanical and cosmetic upgrades designed to provide an off-road edge.
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“Wilderness is not just a model,” said Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence in the video announcement.
He said Wilderness models offer “depth beyond a badge… a deliberate halo for the brand… for customers who prioritise genuine off-road ability and adventure”.
“What STI is to our performance range, Wilderness is to our SUVs,” said Mr Lawrence.
While originally targeting buyers in the US with locally made vehicles, the Outback Wilderness sold here will be sourced from Japan.
It will come in Wilderness and Wilderness Apex grades, replacing the current lineup’s XT Sport and Touring as the only turbocharged Outback variants in local showrooms – but they will be priced at least $6000 higher, from $59,690 before on-road costs.
The regular seventh-generation Outback lineup will start at $48,990 before on-roads, with the Wilderness benefitting from the core attributes of the new Outback, which is taller and wider than the current model.
The Wilderness will be visually distinguished externally by more rugged looking black wheel-arch cladding, which also appears underneath its LED headlights, and black exterior mirror caps.
Beneath the rugged exterior will be a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder boxer petrol engine – codenamed FA24F – matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
It’s the same powertrain offered in the current Outback XT, but with outputs increased to 194kW/382Nm – gains of 11kW and 32Nm – compared to the 137kW/254Nm 2.5-litre flat four in the rest of the range.
This makes the Wilderness the most powerful Subaru SUV, including previous STI versions of the Forester.
As in Wilderness vehicles sold overseas, the ‘eight-speed’ CVT auto has had its artificial shift points tweaked, too.
There’s also a shorter final drive for improved off-road performance – and while they aren’t confirmed for Australia, US versions include a transmission oil-cooler, rear differential temperature sensor, and a recalibrated all-wheel drive system bringing faster centre diff locking to enhance traction.
Off-road ability is further enhanced by 20mm of extra ground clearance (now 240mm), and adaptive suspension in the form of Wilderness-specific electronic dampers made by German supplier ZF, enabling two unique X-Mode suspension settings.
While Wilderness vehicles sold overseas ride on Yokohama Geolandar tyres on five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, and the example on display at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last month ran BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres in the same 225/70 size, press images provided by Subaru Australia show 225/60 Bridgestone road tyres on six-spoke 18-inch wheels.
Outback Wilderness vehicles will also come with water-repellent ‘hydrophobic’ synthetic leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, a heated steering wheel, and a 12.1-inch horizontal multimedia touchscreen replacing the previous Outback’s vertical display.
The Outback Wilderness Apex adds sat-nav, a powered sunroof, surround-view camera and 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and costs $3000 more at $62,690 before on-roads.
Subaru is yet to confirm when and if other Wilderness models will come to Australia, but it appears likely – given the language surrounding the Outback Wilderness – that other models will receive the same treatment.
The Outback is the automaker’s third most popular model in Australia, behind the Forester – a new generation of which was launched here in 2025 – and the smaller Crosstrek.
Subaru isn’t the only brand eyeing more rugged off-road vehicles positioned as premium or halo offerings, with Ford president Jim Farley having said he wants to produce a “supercar for gravel” to position the US automaker as the “Porsche of off-road”.
MORE: Explore the Subaru Outback
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