Subaru wants to lure Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X buyers into Outback Wilderness

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It might not have low range, diff locks or even all-terrain tyres, but Subaru Australia reckons the new Outback Wilderness is capable enough to tempt buyers out of ladder-frame 4WDs like the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.

Surprisingly, the new Outback Wilderness — a sub-brand of off-road trims brought to Australia for the first time this year — has more ground clearance than the Everest class.

With clearance of 240mm (20mm higher than a standard Outback), the Wilderness sits higher on paper than the Ford Everest (226-229mm on most trims), Isuzu MU-X (230-235mm), and Toyota Prado (210-221mm).

There’s no wading depth claim but Subaru says the Wilderness — equipped with new dual X-Mode AWD software — is capable on moderate trails. We’ve tested it this week and can report our findings on 18 February.

Then there is the Outback Wilderness’s turbo petrol engine — making 194kW/382Nm — which could tempt shoppers sick of rattly diesels away.

The petrol-fuelled wagon leads the 190kW Ford Everest V6 on power but trails it on torque — with the six-pot oiler bringing 600Nm to the fore.

“There is absolutely a territory we can further push into with Wilderness, which is that rugged, off the beaten track [segment] traditionally owned by ladder-frame 4WDs,” Subaru Australia general manager Scott Lawrence told Chasing Cars.

“Outback [Wilderness allows you] to get all of that, but you have an amazing driving car that handles well on road. I would encourage anyone when they look at those sort of [ladder-frame] 4WDs to look at the Outback.” 

The new seventh-generation Outback arrives in Australia this month with five model grades — three with 220mm clearance (and a non-turbo engine) and two Wilderness models with 240mm, turbo power, and varying degrees of luxury.

Opting for the Wilderness is a $10K upgrade over the regular Outback but it brings considerably higher levels of performance and trail-ready capability.

That said, Australia misses out on some US-market Wilderness items like factory-fit all-terrain tyres on 17-inch wheels.

Locally, 18-inch wheels and highway terrain Bridgestone Alenza rubber is standard but Subaru Australia sources say it is likely all-terrains will be added to the options list soon.

Crucially, Subaru Australia management sees the Wilderness as a source of new customers for the Outback that could result in increased sales of the raised wagon.

Subaru typically sells about 10,000 Outbacks each year in Australia; last year Ford delivered 26,191 Everests. Toyota sold about the same number of Prados. 

In other words, there are plenty of targets there for Subaru.

“With this new model year, I would expect growth in the model,” said Lawrence.

Subaru Outback 2026: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Outback AWD: $48,990
• Outback AWD Premium: $53,490
• Outback AWD Touring: $56,990
• Outback AWD Wilderness: $59,690
• Outback AWD Wilderness Apex: $62,690