TheLong Driveis back.
A slow journal about cars, the roads that shaped them, and the people who still believe in the ritual of driving. Beginning with the machine that made the wagon feel new again — the Subaru Outback.
Subaru / 2026
Outback Wilderness
A wagon that finally commits — reviewed on 640 miles of asphalt, dirt and weather.
The Cover Story
Reviewed this week
March 4, 2026 · 6 min read
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness, Reviewed
Subaru's rugged wagon grows up. A week behind the wheel of the Wilderness trim, on pavement and off it, to see whether the off-road hardware earns its keep.
Elena Marsh
Senior Editor
The Archive
Recent writing
02Read Comparison · 6 min read
Outback vs Forester: Which Subaru Fits Your Life?
Same badge, same drivetrain philosophy, two very different cars. Here's a straightforward, spec-honest breakdown of which one actually fits your daily driving.
03Read Buyer's Guide · 7 min read
The Honest Guide to Buying a Used Subaru Outback
From the head-gasket-era wagons to the 2020 refresh: a generation-by-generation guide to which used Outback years to seek out, and which need extra scrutiny.
04Read Design · 5 min read
Inside the New Outback: A Cabin That Finally Grew Up
A designer's first-impressions take on the 2026 Outback cabin — what actually changed under your hands, beyond the spec sheet.
05Read Field Notes · 4 min read
An Outback, Across the Outback
Three thousand kilometers of red dirt, one wagon, and a field-notes account of what "capable" actually means once the pavement runs out.
06Read Buying Guide · 11 min read
2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness Price: Full MSRP & Buying Guide
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness starts at $44,995. Here's the full MSRP breakdown, trims, specs, towing capacity, and how it compares to the Limited XT.
07Read Used Car Buying Guides · 11 min read
2017 Subaru Outback for Sale: Complete Buyer's Guide, Best Price, Features & What to Check Before Buying
A well-maintained 2017 Outback runs $12,000–$18,000 in 2026. Here's fair pricing, trim comparisons, common problems, and a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
08Read Buyer's Guide · 13 min read
Subaru Outback: Complete Wiki, Meaning, History & Buying Guide
Three decades of one reliable answer to a hundred questions — where the Outback came from, what the 2026 redesign changes, and what to know before buying.
09Read Buyer's Guide · 10 min read
2026 Subaru Outback Release Date: When You Can Buy One
The 2026 Subaru Outback is already on dealer lots — six trims, two engines, and the biggest redesign in three decades. Here's what it costs and how it drives.
10Read Design · 11 min read
2026 Subaru Outback Interior and Features: The Complete Cabin Guide
Subaru rebuilt the Outback's cabin from the ground up for 2026. Here's what changed, what it feels like from the driver's seat, and what it means for you.
11Read Long Review · 13 min read
2026 Subaru Outback Review: Is the Redesigned SUV Worth Buying?
The seventh-generation Outback trades its wagon look for a boxier SUV body, a bigger touchscreen, and a $34,995 starting price. Is the redesign worth it?
12Read Long Review · 12 min read
2026 Subaru Outback Redesign: Everything New, Features, Specs, Pricing & First Look
Subaru's seventh-gen Outback drops the wagon shape for an upright SUV body with a standard 12.1-inch touchscreen. Here's everything new, plus specs and pricing.
13Read Buyer's Guide · 10 min read
Tires for Subaru Outback: OEM Sizes, AWD Rules, and How to Buy the Right Set
Most Outbacks run 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 tires, and Subaru's Symmetrical AWD demands a closer match between them than most crossovers require. Here's how to size, buy, and maintain a set correctly.
14Read Owner's Field Guide · 10 min read
What Is X-Mode on the Subaru Outback? A Complete Guide to How It Works
X-Mode retunes the throttle, transmission, AWD, and brakes together to sharpen grip on snow, mud, ice, and steep grades. Here's exactly what it does, and when to leave it off.
15Read Cost & Ownership · 11 min read
Cost of Subaru Outback: 2026 Prices, Trims and Ownership Costs
The 2026 Outback runs $34,995 to $47,995 MSRP, $36,445 to $49,445 with destination. Here's the real out-the-door price, a trim-by-trim breakdown, and five-year ownership costs.
16Read Field Notes · 9 min read
Length of Subaru Outback: 2026 Dimensions, Width, Height and Cargo Space
The 2026 Subaru Outback is 191.7 inches long, 74.0 inches wide and 67.5 inches tall on a 108.1-inch wheelbase. Full dimensions, trim differences, rivals and garage-fit guidance.
17Read Comparison · 13 min read
Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Outback: Which SUV Is Better for 2026?
The 2026 RAV4 starts at $31,900 as a hybrid-only compact SUV; the redesigned Outback starts at $34,995 as a midsize SUV with standard AWD. A full spec-by-spec comparison of price, mpg, cargo and safety.
“A good car doesn't ask to be noticed.It just quietly becomes partof the places you go.”
— Editor's note · Issue 04
The Friday Dispatch
One essay.
Every Friday.
No push notifications. No hot takes. Just one considered piece about a car worth paying attention to.