The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness might just be the sleeper hit enthusiast dads are looking for

By Jason Bell

It’s been a while since I’ve written for the Everyday Driver guys, but I’m so glad to be back — especially in sharing my recent experience with the new, fully-redesigned Subaru Outback Wilderness, and how it might just be the sleeper hit that enthusiast dads are looking for. 

But first, some background. 

The enthusiast dad life

Obviously, I’m an enthusiast. I’ve known the E.D. guys for years and have devoted countless hours to their podcast and videos. I’ve also owned more cars than I’d like to admit. Some of these include a Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86, Subaru WRX STI, Mazda ND2 MX-5, Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro, Porsche 986 Boxster S, and a VB-generation Subaru WRX, among others. At this point, I’ve personally funded most of the roads in Utah with all the sales tax I’ve paid. 

During this time, my wife and I started a family. We have three awesome kids: a 10-year-old boy, a 7-year-old girl, and a 1-year-old girl. Now, to be clear, I’m still an enthusiast, but with three kids comes a new phase of car enjoyment. Gone are my BRZ and Miata days (I’m not yet to the three-car garage point, yet), and space and comfort are more of a priority for me than they used to be. 

Credit: Subaru

Case in point, I loved my 2024 Subaru WRX. I think it’s the best WRX yet, and I’ve owned every generation of that awesome car. However, and I can’t believe I’m admitting this out loud, but my 38-year-old body just couldn’t deal with the Tigger-tail bounce in the suspension. Yes, I know the Savage Geese guys would say I should have swapped in some Ohlins coilovers, but honestly, I don’t have time these days to mess with stuff like that. From 6:00 in the morning until I go to bed each night, most days are packed to the brim. So I sold it. And I miss it. I’ve toyed with getting a TS trim with its adjustable dampers, but I have yet to drive one to see just how much of a difference they make in Comfort mode.  

Well, to my great surprise, after spending a weekend with the new, outrageously boxy Subaru Outback Wilderness, I think I may have accidentally stumbled upon a potential WRX replacement. I really liked it, and I think Subaru pretty much nailed it with this new generation. 

Here are just a few reasons why it could be your next enthusiast dad car. 

There’s WRX DNA here — just in a more usable, comfortable form

One of my biggest hesitations about moving on from the WRX was the loss of power from the excellent 2.4-liter turbo flat-four and the connected feel the WRX had. 

The good news? The Outback Wilderness comes standard with the same engine that’s found in the WRX, along with the brand’s legendary all-wheel drive. While it’s definitely not a performance car, the Outback Wilderness delivers strong, usable — and fun — power that does extremely well in everyday driving. 

While it may not be the canyon carver that my WRX was, this thing was plenty fun and much more adept at handling potholes, our luggage, and just about anything three kids could need. 

It replaces speed with versatility — and that’s ok

The WRX can definitely be a family car. Totally. However, if you’re ready for a little more practicality, the Outback Wilderness goes above and beyond. With 9.5 inches of ground clearance — as much as a Toyota 4Runner — all-terrain tires, an upgraded suspension, and a beefed-up transmission and final drive ratio, the Outback Wilderness opens up a whole new world of fun and adventure that the WRX simply can’t match. 

The interior is supremely comfortable and shockingly spacious

To be fair, the Outback has grown since the last generation, but not by much. And honestly, the space here is truly impressive. The backseat will laugh the 4Runner to shame, as will the cargo area. And yes, don’t worry, the much-maligned infotainment system of the previous gen has been totally revamped and worked smoothly and flawlessly. 

No joke, this is one of the most spacious SUVs (wagons?) I’ve been in a while, and it’s endlessly accommodating for whatever you’d want to throw at — or in — it. 

It doesn’t feel like settling

I’m just going to say it: the new Outback Wilderness is cool, quirky, and has more personality than many of its competitors. If you’re concerned about selling out as a dad by driving a wagon, don’t stress — this Outback won’t let you — or your ego — down. If I were to buy one, I’d put slightly larger tires on it and call it a day. 

The new Outback Wilderness has character. It has purpose. And it still somehow taps into that enthusiast mindset — just in a different way than you’re expecting. 

It fits the dad life — and will grow with it

The reality is, as kids come along, life changes. A lot. And we dads need a car that can change with it. As much as I’d like to keep trying to stuff my kids in the back of a BRZ (which I did for years), that time has passed. 

The new Outback is comfortable for daily driving and commuting, more than capable enough for all but the most hardcore off-road weekend adventures, and practical enough for everything. And unlike many similar or larger SUVs, it doesn’t feel excessive or disconnected from the driving experience. 

Final thoughts

Moving on from a car like the WRX isn’t easy — especially if you love driving. But the 2026 Outback Wilderness makes that transition feel less like a loss and more like an upgrade. It trades outright performance for versatility — without completely leaving behind the spirit that made you love driving in the first place. 

And for a lot of enthusiast dads like me, that might be exactly what the next chapter looks like. 

**The views and opinions expressed here are my own and may not align with the founders of Everyday Driver.

About the author: Jason Bell is a lifelong car enthusiast who loves sharing his passions as a teacher, podcaster and automotive journalist. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. You can contact him at jasonbellcars@gmail.com.