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2026 Subaru Outback: safety, recalls and fuel economy

Tell us the exact 2026 Subaru Outback you want, and we ask every Subaru dealer with one in stock near you for a written, itemized out the door price. Then we send the best number back to the others and make them beat it. You see every quote side by side and buy directly from the dealer you pick.

What to decide before dealers bid

The tighter your spec, the cleaner the bids. Pick the trim, the colors you'd accept, any packages you can't live without, and how far you'd travel or ship from. The Outback is a SUV offered with gas power, so make the powertrain choice up front; it changes which cars on dealer lots qualify.

What each Subaru dealer is asked for

One number in writing: the out the door price, broken into selling price, any dealer add-ons, doc fee, tax, and title and registration. That's what makes quotes comparable. A low selling price can hide paint protection, nitrogen, VIN etching or a market adjustment, which is why we read every line. Our add-on guide explains which ones you can refuse.

Pickup or delivery

A Outback a few hours away can beat one down the street even after you add the cost of getting it home. We compare quotes by the total to your driveway, including an estimate for pickup or delivery, so a cheaper car far away and a nearby one are weighed fairly. Read buying a car out of state if the best quote isn't local.

What it costs

$499 total. $99 to start, refunded if we don't beat the best written quote you already have, and $400 only after the dealer's buyer's order matches the price you picked. Pricing and guarantee.

2026 Subaru Outback safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2025 Subaru Outback SW AWD an overall rating of 5 of 5 stars in its 5-Star Safety Ratings program (NHTSA). These are NHTSA's ratings for the 2025 model; NHTSA usually carries ratings forward when a model isn't significantly changed, but check the current year before you buy.

TestRating
Overall5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash5 of 5 stars
Side crash5 of 5 stars
Rollover4 of 5 stars (18.5% rollover risk in NHTSA's model)

Safety technology NHTSA lists for this model: electronic stability control is standard, forward collision warning is standard & optional, and lane departure warning is standard.

Recalls and owner complaints

NHTSA's recall database lists 0 recalls for the 2026 Subaru Outback and 0 recalls for the 2025 model (NHTSA recalls). Recalls are repaired free at any franchised dealer, so ask the selling dealer to confirm in writing that every open recall on your VIN has been done before delivery.

Owners filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Outback, most often about forward collision avoidance, unknown or other, lane departure. Complaint counts rise with sales volume, so compare them between similar models rather than reading them on their own.

Fuel economy and powertrains

EPA figures for the 2026 Subaru Outback range from 23 to 27 MPG combined depending on the version (fueleconomy.gov). It's offered with all-wheel drive.

VersionDriveEngineCity / Hwy / Combined MPGRange
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
All-Wheel Drive2.5L 4-cyl25 / 31 / 27-
Outback AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
All-Wheel Drive2.4L 4-cyl21 / 29 / 24-
Outback Wilderness AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo
All-Wheel Drive2.4L 4-cyl21 / 27 / 23-

Compare the Outback side by side with other models on safety, recalls and fuel economy.

Other Subaru models

Shopping other SUVs too?

Questions

How do I get the best price on a 2026 Subaru Outback?

Get written, itemized out the door quotes from several Subaru dealers on the same trim, then send the lowest one back to the others and give them a deadline to beat it. Compare totals, not monthly payments or discounts off sticker.

Do Subaru dealers add extras to the Outback?

Some do. Common ones are paint and fabric protection, nitrogen, VIN etching and market adjustments. Ask for them to be listed line by line and removed if you didn't ask for them. We flag them on every quote.

Can I buy a Outback from a dealer in another state?

Yes. Tax and registration are generally handled for your home state, and you can drive it home or pay for delivery. We compare quotes by total cost to your driveway so distance is accounted for.

Is the 2026 Subaru Outback safe?

NHTSA rates the 2025 Subaru Outback 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 of 5 stars in frontal crash, 5 of 5 stars in side crash and 4 of 5 stars for rollover. Ratings can differ by drivetrain and body style, so check the exact version you're buying on NHTSA's site.

How many recalls does the Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2026 Subaru Outback and 0 recalls for the 2025 model. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Before you take delivery, ask the dealer to confirm in writing that every open recall on your specific VIN has been completed.

What gas mileage does the 2026 Subaru Outback get?

EPA ratings for the 2026 Subaru Outback run from 23 to 27 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain. Pick the powertrain before dealers bid, since it changes which cars on the lot qualify.

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