Subaru Outback Sales Surpass Last Year’s Figures for the First Time Following the Love-Hate Redesign

      Byron Hurd

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      Subaru has faced challenges recently, but it seems that the worst may be behind them. After implementing a substantial change in their assembly approach last year, it appeared that Subaru had alienated two distinct groups of buyers: those loyal to the WRX and the Outback. However, fans of the flat engine can take a breath of relief as Subaru seems to have halted its downward trend.

      While it may be too soon for definitive conclusions, April appeared to be a turning point for the brand. Following the temporary discontinuation of the base model WRX for 2025, Subaru experienced a resurgence in its sport compact sales, with a 50% increase compared to the previous year. This upward trend continued into May. In fact, last month was even more striking: WRX sales soared by 148% year-over-year, largely because last year’s numbers were particularly poor (just 482 units). This past month’s sales of 1,195 units look impressive, although sales had already improved to 1,178 units in April.

      Although WRX sales have not fully rebounded to 2024 levels, Subaru is currently more focused on another model that has seen a decline in sales recently: the Outback. It’s not an overstatement to say that the Outback serves as the company’s main profit driver, especially in the U.S. While the Forester may have higher sales volumes, the Outback’s wealthier customers are highly valued by Subaru. However, sales have been steadily dropping for much of the past year.

      There are valid reasons for this decline. Like the WRX, the Outback was impacted by Subaru’s assembly restructuring last year. Production of the wagon was relocated from Indiana to Japan to facilitate U.S. production of the Forester, which has lower profit margins, making it more susceptible to the financial effects of tariffs.

      Fortunately, the Outback seems to be emerging from its slump. Some have labeled the Outback’s shift to a more SUV-like design a failure, but the sales figures for 2026 are telling a different tale. While it hasn’t yet matched its sales from 2024, Subaru sold over 11,250 Outbacks in May, slightly exceeding last year’s monthly sales. With a total of 48,884 units sold in 2026, the midsize's sales are still down nearly 22%, but if the current trend continues, it could significantly reduce that deficit before the year concludes.

      Lucky for the Outback (and more crucially, Subaru's financial stability), there is positive news in other areas of the lineup. Both the Trailseeker and Uncharted are attracting buyers, and the now U.S.-built Forester is selling exceptionally well again. It has seen an increase of over 8% this year and appears to be gaining momentum again following a relatively lackluster April.

      When we reviewed Subaru following Q1, the company’s U.S. sales were down 15% compared to 2024. By April, this decline lessened to 12.7%. After May, Subaru is now down just 8.3% compared to last year. At this pace, Subaru could finish the year ahead of where they were in 2025. Who would have predicted that at the end of Q1?

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