Subaru’s all-new Outback will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Do you remember when Clarkson, Hammond and May once named the Subaru Legacy Outback one of the best cars in 2007? Well, that’s how good the Outback has always been.
This car appeals to the thinking man — a man who wants the comfort of a family car without having to think twice when a journey takes him onto gravel.
That combination of everyday practicality and all-wheel-drive capability remains an essential part of the new model.
What you need to know
The all-new Outback will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2026.
So, it’s coming!
South African buyers will have a choice of two derivatives: the 2.5 Premium and 2.4 Wilderness.
The Premium will be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine producing 137 kW and 254 Nm of torque, while…
The Wilderness steps things up with a turbocharged 2.4-litre Boxer engine developing 194 kW and 382 Nm.
Both engines are paired with Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT, with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive standard on both trims.
The Wilderness also features dual-function X-Mode for additional assistance on challenging surfaces, making it a particularly appealing prospect for owners whose travel plans regularly extend beyond tarred roads.
The cabin receives a substantial update, with a new 12.1-inch touchscreen complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow occupants to access familiar navigation, music and communication functions, while the five-seat layout and split-folding rear seats provide plenty of practicality.
The new Outback will also come standard with Subaru Southern Africa’s recently introduced five-year/105,000 km maintenance plan, alongside a five-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty.
Customers wanting longer-term cover can extend the maintenance plan to seven years/150,000 km.
Pricing
We don’t have the official pricing, but a little birdie told us that the Subaru Outback range starts at R839,000 for the 2.5i Field ES.
The flagship 2.4 XT turbo variant is priced at approximately R999,000.
Competitors
The Outback sits in a very peculiar place.
It doesn’t really have any direct competitors, because you can’t really call it an SUV, can you?
If the Audi A6 Allroad comes to our shores, that would probably be its direct competitor. There’s also the Volvo V60 Cross Country.
So, if we had to choose…
Tricky.
We don’t have the A6 Allroad as yet, and we’re not even sure it will come to South Africa, so that one is out.
If we had to judge on looks alone, we’d take the Volvo.
But when you consider looks, practicality, versatility and reliability…
WE BACK THE OUTBACK. 🏕️
We’re hoping to get some time behind the new Outback, and when we do, we’ll give you the full 411. 👀
By:thatcar.co.za
