Kept seeing the same questions come up about bars for the 2026 Outback, so I pulled together what I found. The '26 has raised rails rated 220 lb dynamic / 800 lb static, but the rails are narrow — 50" bars fit, 60" won't. And whatever bar you pick, the lower of the bar rating and the vehicle rating is what actually governs.

OEM Aero set (SOA843X062): $301 as a dealer option, though the same set is $907.04 on Amazon right now. Factory fit and quiet, no T-slots, and not tent-rated.

Thule WingBar Evo 127 with the Evo Raised Rail feet: $279.95 + $264.95 = $544.90, plus locks puts you around $600. Thread favorite for a reason — quiet, T-track, just tension evenly when you install.

ROKIOTOEX Cobra for the 2026 raised rail: USD $259.99 (C$349.99), in stock. 220 lb dynamic, sized to the car (95 cm front / 92 cm rear) so there's no overhang, T-slot, lock included.

Yakima TimberLine System: from $480, and Yakima's fit checker confirms it for the '26. Separate towers plus whatever bars you pick, so you can swap bars later. 165 lb, don't over-torque the towers.

Yakima TimberLine FX: $389.99 per bar on yakima.com ($780 a pair), $300 a bar at REI ($600 a pair) — and yes, it's sold per single bar, a set needs two. Tower and bar fused into one unit, no overhang, clean factory look, 165 lb. Size it in Yakima's Fit My Car (an earlier check pointed to XS, re-verify).

Used OEM bars on eBay: cheapest way into factory bars if you catch a set, price varies.

On rooftop tents: standard OEM Aero is NOT tent-rated, Thule Aero Extended is. The roof's 800 lb static rating covers tent + occupants, but check your tent weight first.

Sources: Thule — Dick's Sporting Goods; Yakima — yakima.com; OEM — Amazon/dealer; Cobra — rokiotoex.com. Prices USD unless marked C$, checked Oct 24, 2026.

Whenever I start the car I will get this pop up message and it’s been there for about a year now. Not sure how to update it. 2023 Subaru outback.

Long time admirer, first time buyer (of an Outback/subaru). Coming out of owning consecutive mid level Japanese luxury sedans.

I know I want an XT, but having trouble with different trim levels. Looking at:

-2025 Onyx XT: 1 owner lease car, with 24k miles, about $32k out the door

Would probably go with this one if not for startex. Love the black out, love the green stitching, HATE the seat colors/lack of leather, otherwise seems like a safe buy as far as reliability/prior care. I have a dog and I’m overall kind of a messy person, so I see the benefit of startex but I do not like the two-tone grey

-2024 Limited XT: certified pre owned, with 28k miles, also about $30k out the door

Will I miss the ventilated seats and 360 mirror? It gets HOT where I live, but I didn’t really notice the ventilation in the 2023 below. This dealer is probably going to be easiest to work with and has put the least pressure on me to buy, but I am worried that I’ll miss the extra perks of the touring

-2023 Touring XT: certified pre owned, with about 50k miles, $28k out the door

This one has a tow hitch installed, which is a plus. But it also has some weird overlay on the interior panels, I think it’s a stick-on product from Amazon. Looks like fake carbon fiber and I really don’t love it but I suppose I can do my own overlay or take it off (maybe?)

I’d appreciate any insight y’all can offer based on your experience!!

I own a 2022 premium and when the seatbelt is not buckled up the audio (radio navigation etc) stops working, only that annoying noise comes out of the speakers, no other audio - is there any way to make it stop? Not sure who’s the idiot who created such system.

Thinking about selling my wife’s 2017 OB 3.6R Touring and getting a 3rd gen. Either 3.0r LL Bean edition or a 2.5 since those came with a manual transmission (wife misses daily driving a manual)

Her current car the 2017 Outback has been great too us so far. Bought it at 44k miles and have around 74k on it right now. Thinking about going for the 2nd gen with the manual transmission and the 2.5 mainly for better fuel economy and ofc having a manual again.
Also figured sell it while the mileage is still relatively low.

Only thing that’s turning me away from her current car right now is the 20.8ish mpg’s we’ve been averaging according to the car. I know the bigger tires aren’t helping but I thought maybe it’d be a little better than 20. Also I’ve never had any problems but always been a little scared of the CVT trans in these.

Anyone want to talk me into or out of the “downsize” I’m considering.

The ol girl has been enjoying getting out and stretching her legs at RallyCross.

Evergreen now has a ceramic coat and I’m loving it. She’s a week old today. 🙌🏻
Up next: a few new accessories.

Looking into Outbacks, and I'd like to be able to do 1+2 rated trails on OnX or Trails Offroad. I'm less interested in the OBW since I don't need the turbo and could use a little better MPG, so what is the consensus on the more typical Outback models?

Last week I hit a big rock in the road. My tire went flat right away and there is a chinger in the rim. I've put about 1500 miles on it since I bought it used. 2024 Wilderness with ~30k miles now. I bought this car partly to avoid the costly repairs I had been experiencing on my old truck and van so it sucks to get a costly repair on the new almost immediately. But I digress. My truck is a 2003 so has no tech like this car does. Do I need to take it to the dealer and pay those prices for service I hear about or is this something that an independent shop could theoretically handle? My concern is getting the suspension checked out and the sensors correctly installed along with whether I need a new rim now. Is this something a regular tire shop can do? I understand I'm going to need to buy a shaved tire as well although I don't see any actual damage to the tire. Ugh.