{"version":"1.1.0","producer":"fm.getcarcurious","layer":"official","episode":{"title":"2026 Subaru Outback- More Space, Less Wagon","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-subaru-outback-more-space-less-wagon","audioUrl":"https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/drivencarreviews/2026_Subaru_Outback_Touring_Review-SD_480p.mov?dest-id=185214","description":"  The Subaru Outback is new for 2026 and it's a solid choice for brand loyalists (and they are a faithful bunch). Will current owners return for another Outback now that it has moved away from the wagon look and embraced a more SUV-like design?   In this full review of the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring XT, I test the turbocharged 2.4-liter Boxer engine, evaluate the new interior, improved infotainment system, EyeSight Highway Hands-Free Assist, cargo space, ride quality, towing capability, and off-road performance. In other words, pretty much everything. A bonus- some thoughts on the rugged Outback Wilderness after driving it at Mudfest 2026. The new Outback offers more cargo room, improved technology, great visibility, and increased utility. But the styling is proving... polarizing."},"annotations":[{"id":458293,"startTime":3.0999999999999996,"endTime":9.54,"type":"car","title":"2026 Subaru Outback","url":"/cars/subaru/outback","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Nissan_PATROL_NISMO_%28Y62%29_used_as_a_SUPER_GT_FIRST_RESCUE_OPERATION_and_Subaru_LEGACY_OUTBACK_%28DBA-BS9%29_used_as_a_SUPER_GT_First_Rescue_Operation_Car.jpg","quote":"You probably know the 2026 Subaru Outback, Generation 7, has succumbed to peer pressure and ditched its wagon roots for an SUV silhouette, and that the styling busier than a caffeinated squirrel is polarizing.","canonicalId":"car:subaru:outback","priority":1.0,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"The Subaru Outback is a mid-size crossover SUV (historically a lifted wagon) known for its standard all-wheel drive, rugged capability, and utilitarian design. The seventh-generation (2026) model transitions more towards a traditional SUV silhouette while retaining its signature high ground clearance and boxer engine options.","simplifiedExplanation":"A popular, rugged family vehicle that looks like a mix between a station wagon and an SUV. It's famous for being great in snow and mud, and for having lots of room for gear and pets.","imageAttribution":"Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0","imageLicense":"CC BY-SA 4.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nissan_PATROL_NISMO_(Y62)_used_as_a_SUPER_GT_FIRST_RESCUE_OPERATION_and_Subaru_LEGACY_OUTBACK_(DBA-BS9)_used_as_a_SUPER_GT_First_Rescue_Operation_Car.jpg","sourceStartTime":3.0999999999999996,"sourceEndTime":9.54}},{"id":458294,"startTime":44.6,"endTime":57.0,"type":"term","title":"symmetrical all-wheel drive","url":"/glossary/symmetrical-all-wheel-drive","quote":"Pricing for the new Outback starts at around $36,400, and that includes standard symmetrical all-wheel drive because – Subaru – and destination, because you can't get a vehicle without that.","canonicalId":"term:symmetrical-all-wheel-drive","priority":0.6,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"Subaru's proprietary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system features a longitudinally mounted boxer engine and a symmetrically laid-out drivetrain. This design provides power to all four wheels continuously, offering superior balance, traction, and stability compared to transverse-mounted AWD systems.","simplifiedExplanation":"Subaru's special system that sends power to all four wheels at the same time, all the time. Because the parts are lined up perfectly down the middle of the car, it keeps the vehicle balanced and helps it grip the road incredibly well in rain or snow.","sourceStartTime":44.6,"sourceEndTime":57.0}},{"id":458295,"startTime":90.8,"endTime":100.5,"type":"part","title":"boxer engine","url":"/glossary/boxer-engine","quote":"The boosted 2.4-liter boxer engine offers significantly more scoot, making 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque to move a 3,800-pound machine.","canonicalId":"part:boxer-engine","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A boxer engine (or horizontally opposed engine) features pistons that move horizontally inward and outward, resembling boxers punching. This layout lowers the vehicle's center of gravity, improving handling and stability, and is a signature engineering trait of Subaru and Porsche.","simplifiedExplanation":"An engine where the pistons lie flat and push side-to-side (like boxers punching each other) instead of moving up and down. This keeps the engine low in the car, which helps the car balance better around corners.","sourceStartTime":90.8,"sourceEndTime":100.5}},{"id":458296,"startTime":110.6,"endTime":119.2,"type":"term","title":"continuously variable transmission","url":"/glossary/cvt","quote":"Being a Subaru, the transmission is a continuously variable unit. There are eight simulated shift points that can be accessed here.","canonicalId":"term:continuously-variable-transmission","priority":0.7,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A continuously variable transmission (CVT) uses a belt and pulley system instead of fixed gears to provide an infinite range of gear ratios. This allows the engine to operate at its most efficient RPM, though it can produce a 'rubber band' feel under hard acceleration.","simplifiedExplanation":"A type of automatic transmission that doesn't have traditional gears (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd). Instead, it uses a belt that constantly adjusts to keep the engine running at the perfect speed, which saves gas but can sometimes make the engine sound like it's droning.","sourceStartTime":110.6,"sourceEndTime":119.2}},{"id":458297,"startTime":134.8,"endTime":139.4,"type":"term","title":"X-mode","url":"/glossary/x-mode","quote":"Touring gets a single X-mode setting Wilderness has too.","canonicalId":"term:x-mode","priority":0.6,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"Subaru's proprietary traction control system designed for off-road or slippery conditions. It coordinates the engine, transmission, AWD system, and brakes to maximize grip on steep declines, mud, snow, or loose gravel.","simplifiedExplanation":"A special button in Subarus that prepares the car for tough off-road driving. It helps control the brakes and power to keep you from slipping when going down steep, muddy, or snowy hills.","sourceStartTime":134.8,"sourceEndTime":139.4}},{"id":458298,"startTime":153.6,"endTime":158.2,"type":"concept","title":"0-60-dash","url":"/glossary/0-60-dash","quote":"This will do the 0-60-dash in just over six seconds. The naturally aspirated version will add at least two seconds to that, at least.","canonicalId":"concept:0-60-dash","priority":0.4,"confidence":0.95,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"The time in seconds it takes a vehicle to accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). It is the standard industry benchmark for measuring a vehicle's straight-line acceleration and performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"A standard test to see how fast a car can speed up from a dead stop to highway speeds (60 miles per hour). The lower the number of seconds, the faster the car feels.","sourceStartTime":153.6,"sourceEndTime":158.2}},{"id":458299,"startTime":231.2,"endTime":238.0,"type":"place","title":"Ridge Motorsports Park","url":"/glossary/ridge-motorsports-park","quote":"At Mudfest 2026, the wilderness trim moseyed around the Ridge Motorsports Park's back 40, like it was in a mall parking lot.","canonicalId":"place:ridge-motorsports-park","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A road racing circuit located in Shelton, Washington, featuring a 2.47-mile main track with dramatic elevation changes. It is frequently used for club racing, track days, and automotive media testing events like the Northwest Automotive Press Association's 'Mudfest'.","simplifiedExplanation":"A popular race track in Washington state where car enthusiasts and journalists go to test cars, race, and drive fast in a safe environment.","sourceStartTime":231.2,"sourceEndTime":238.0}},{"id":458300,"startTime":248.34,"endTime":253.86,"type":"car","title":"Subaru Trailseeker","url":"/cars/subaru/trailseeker","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/2026_Subaru_Trailseeker_%28Prototype%29_at_the_2025_NYC_Auto_Show.jpg","quote":"...ion offered peace of mind. It's worth noting that Trailseeker, with similar tires and clearance to the Outback ...","canonicalId":"car:subaru:trailseeker","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"The Subaru Trailseeker is an adventure-oriented model or trim package designed to offer enhanced off-road capability. Positioned alongside Subaru's rugged Wilderness lineup, it features increased ground clearance, durable body cladding, and all-terrain tires to handle rougher trails and outdoor excursions.","simplifiedExplanation":"This is a rugged Subaru vehicle made for people who love camping and outdoor adventures. It has extra ride height so it doesn't scrape on rocks, and it uses tough tires designed to grip dirt, mud, and gravel roads.","imageAttribution":"Raszbeary (CC BY 4.0)","imageLicense":"CC BY 4.0","imageSourceUrl":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2026_Subaru_Trailseeker_(Prototype)_at_the_2025_NYC_Auto_Show.jpg","sourceStartTime":248.34,"sourceEndTime":253.86}},{"id":458301,"startTime":298.7,"endTime":309.8,"type":"term","title":"understeer","url":"/glossary/understeer","quote":"However, that means when you chuck it hard into a corner, there's going to be some body roll, there's going to be some understeer.","canonicalId":"term:understeer","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"Understeer is a handling characteristic where a vehicle turns less than commanded by the driver, causing the front wheels to slip and the car to push wide in a corner. It is common in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles and is generally safer and easier for average drivers to control than oversteer.","simplifiedExplanation":"When you turn the steering wheel to go around a corner, but the car keeps sliding straight forward instead of turning as much as you want. It feels like the front of the car is 'plowing' wide.","sourceStartTime":298.7,"sourceEndTime":309.8}},{"id":458302,"startTime":298.7,"endTime":307.3,"type":"term","title":"body roll","url":"/glossary/body-roll","quote":"However, that means when you chuck it hard into a corner, there's going to be some body roll, there's going to be some understeer.","canonicalId":"term:body-roll","priority":0.4,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"Body roll refers to the tilting or leaning of a vehicle's body to the outside of a turn, caused by centrifugal force acting on the vehicle's center of mass. It is more pronounced in taller vehicles with softer, comfort-oriented suspensions, like SUVs and crossovers.","simplifiedExplanation":"The way a car leans to the side when you take a sharp turn, like when you feel yourself being pushed toward the door when going around a curve.","sourceStartTime":298.7,"sourceEndTime":307.3}},{"id":458303,"startTime":717.9,"endTime":723.8,"type":"part","title":"digital rear-view mirror","url":"/glossary/digital-rearview-mirror","quote":"Touring gets a digital rear-view mirror, so visibility doesn't suffer much.","canonicalId":"part:digital-rear-view-mirror","priority":0.5,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A rear-view mirror that can switch between a traditional reflective glass surface and a high-definition video feed from a rear-mounted camera. This technology provides an unobstructed view of the road behind, even if the cargo area or back seats are fully loaded with gear or passengers.","simplifiedExplanation":"A rear-view mirror that is actually a video screen showing a live feed from a camera on the back of the car. It's great because even if you pack your trunk to the ceiling, you can still see perfectly behind you.","sourceStartTime":717.9,"sourceEndTime":723.8}},{"id":458304,"startTime":757.9,"endTime":770.3,"type":"person","title":"Martin Campbell","url":"/glossary/martin-campbell","quote":"Special thanks to Martin Campbell, who drives while I shoot running footage. I couldn't do these reviews the way I do without him.","canonicalId":"person:martin-campbell","priority":0.3,"confidence":1.0,"source":"gemini-3.5-flash","data":{"explanation":"A professional driver and videographer who frequently collaborates with automotive journalists, including Tom Voelk of Driven Car Reviews, to shoot dynamic tracking shots and running footage of test vehicles.","simplifiedExplanation":"The camera operator and driver who helps the host of this show film the beautiful shots of the cars driving down the road.","sourceStartTime":757.9,"sourceEndTime":770.3}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Tom Voelk","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2026-subaru-outback-more-space-less-wagon/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}],"alignmentMode":"scalar","fallbackOffset":0.0}