For U.S. vehicles; figures from SUVLook's 2026 Outback profile (Subaru U.S. specifications), last verified September 16, 2026. We could not re-open Subaru's specification page for this guide, so treat the numbers below as profile data and confirm them in the owner's manual.

The 2026 Subaru Outback tows 2,700 lb with the 2.5L engine and 3,500 lb with the turbo engine in the Wilderness and XT models, according to SUVLook's 2026 Outback profile, which draws on Subaru's 2026 Outback specifications and trims. Both ratings carry the condition "properly equipped." The turbo's extra 800 lb is the main reason to pick an XT or Wilderness if you tow regularly.

2026 Outback towing capacity table

2026 Outback configuration Towing rating Condition listed
2.5L engine (180 hp / 178 lb-ft) 2,700 lb Properly equipped
2.4L turbo engine, Wilderness and XT models (260 hp / 277 lb-ft) 3,500 lb Properly equipped

Both rows come from the capability section of the SUVLook Outback profile, which cites Subaru's specifications page. The engine outputs come from the same profile.

Our profile does not record a braked versus unbraked split, a tongue-weight limit or a separate figure for individual trims beyond the two engine groups. We have not guessed at them. If you need those values, look in the 2026 owner's manual or Subaru's trailering instructions.

Which Outback trims get which rating?

The profile ties the 3,500-lb rating to "Wilderness/XT" models, meaning the turbocharged versions. Those are the trims listed with the 2.4L turbo engine in SUVLook's pricing data:

Trim Starting MSRP (before destination) Engine
Premium $34,995 2.5L
Limited $41,715 2.5L
Touring $45,395 2.5L
Limited XT $44,365 2.4L turbo
Wilderness $44,995 2.4L turbo
Touring XT $47,995 2.4L turbo

These are Subaru starting prices before destination, taxes and options, so they show relative cost only. Every 2026 Outback has Symmetrical AWD and a Lineartronic CVT, so drivetrain does not split the rating in the profile data. For the full trim walk-through, see our Outback trim levels guide.

What the turbo adds beyond the number

Compare Limited ($41,715) with Limited XT ($44,365) and the turbo trim costs $2,650 more at starting price. That subtraction ignores any equipment differences between the two trims.

The efficiency trade-off is published too. Subaru's estimates in the profile are 25 city / 31 highway mpg for the 2.5L models, 21 / 29 for the XT turbo models and 21 / 27 for the Wilderness. These are unloaded estimates. We do not have a published towing mpg figure for any configuration.

What 2,700 lb and 3,500 lb mean in practice

A towing rating is a ceiling for the trailer, not a target. It only means something once you know your trailer's loaded weight, which includes cargo, water, propane, batteries and gear. A small camper or boat listed by its dry weight can cross the limit once packed.

Three checks matter before you buy a trailer:

  1. Loaded trailer weight versus the rating for your engine. Use 2,700 lb for 2.5L models and 3,500 lb only for Wilderness and XT.
  2. Tongue weight. The downward load on the hitch counts against the vehicle's carrying capacity along with passengers and cargo. Our profile has no published Outback tongue-weight limit, so find it in the manual.
  3. Brakes and equipment. "Properly equipped" means the vehicle has the hitch, wiring and any other hardware Subaru requires for that rating. Whether your trailer needs its own brakes at a given weight is a question for the manual and your state's rules.

We do not give installation steps here. Have a dealer or qualified installer fit the hitch and wiring, and treat the owner's manual and door-jamb label as the authority on limits.

How the Outback compares with rivals

Published 2026 towing rows from other SUVLook profiles show where the Outback sits:

SUV (2026) Published towing Condition in profile Source
Subaru Outback 2,700 lb (2.5L); 3,500 lb (Wilderness/XT) Properly equipped Subaru
Subaru Forester 1,500 lb (most trims); 3,500 lb (Wilderness) Properly equipped Subaru
Subaru Crosstrek 1,500 lb (most trims); 3,500 lb (Wilderness) Manufacturer-published U.S. specification Subaru
Toyota RAV4 3,500 lb maximum; 1,750 lb lower rating 3,500 lb on specified AWD hybrid/PHEV grades Toyota Newsroom
Ford Escape 3,500 lb 2.0L with tow package Ford

Two points stand out. The Outback's base 2.5L rating of 2,700 lb is higher than the Forester's and Crosstrek's 1,500 lb for most trims, so a non-turbo Outback gives you more headroom than its smaller siblings. At the top, the turbo rating of 3,500 lb matches the Forester Wilderness, Crosstrek Wilderness, RAV4 maximum and Escape with the tow package.

For the closest sibling, see Forester vs Outback. Our RAV4 towing guide lists that rival's grade-by-grade conditions, and you can sort the whole class on our SUV towing capacity chart.

A pre-purchase checklist for Outback towing

Use this order of operations when you are matching a trailer to a 2026 Outback. It does not replace the owner's manual, which holds the binding limits.

  1. Identify the engine. Look at the trim and badge: Premium, Limited and Touring use the 2.5L (2,700 lb in our profile), while Limited XT, Touring XT and Wilderness use the turbo (3,500 lb).
  2. Get the trailer's loaded weight. Ask the seller for the gross trailer weight rating and, better, a scale reading of the packed trailer. An empty weight alone understates what you will actually pull.
  3. Compare with margin. If the loaded trailer sits close to the rating, the combination has no room for a heavier load next season. We would rather see a trailer well under the number than at it, though that is our editorial preference, not a Subaru rule.
  4. Check the hardware. Ask the dealer to confirm what hitch and wiring are fitted and whether they meet the "properly equipped" condition Subaru attaches to both ratings.
  5. Read the manual and label. Passenger and cargo limits, tongue weight and any speed or driving-mode instructions live there, not in a spec table.

Ground clearance is a separate matter from towing: the profile lists 8.7 inches for most trims and 9.5 inches for the Wilderness, but those figures say nothing about trailer approach angles, so do not read them as towing advice.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a 2026 Subaru Outback tow?

The profile lists 2,700 lb for the 2.5L and 3,500 lb for Wilderness and XT turbo models, both when properly equipped.

Does the Outback Wilderness tow more than other trims?

It shares the 3,500-lb rating with the XT models. The Premium, Limited and Touring trims use the 2.5L and are rated at 2,700 lb.

Can an Outback tow a camper?

Only if the camper's loaded weight stays below the rating for your engine, with its tongue weight accounted for. Check the owner's manual for the full set of limits.

Does the same rating apply to earlier Outbacks?

No. The 2026 Outback is a full redesign, and SUVLook does not apply 2026 figures to other model years. Check the manual for your year.

Has SUVLook tested these ratings?

No. They are manufacturer-published figures recorded in our vehicle profile. We have not towed with any of these vehicles.

Sources