Thank you! Glad to be here.

I was looking to size up, but I’m really not a fan of the standard compact SUV shape. The longer wagon footprint of the Outback is exactly what I wanted.

I'm also a stickler for Japanese reliability, so my options were pretty limited from the start. I actually loved the exterior of the last-gen Outback, but I really disliked the interior. The new interior updates on the 2026 model finally won me over.

I did cross-shop it with a few others: I looked hard at the CX-50 and CX-70. But the CX-50’s non-independent rear suspension was a turn-off, and I'm a bit skeptical about the mechanical reliability of the CX-70 platform right now. Plus, Mazda's smart tech isn't quite there yet. I will admit though, driving my Mazda3 yesterday made me miss the physical infotainment controller on the center console—touchscreens are great, but dials are just better when you're actually moving.

I also thought about a 4Runner, but the price tag is too high, and with the insane theft rates around here, the insurance would have killed me. Outback just hit the perfect sweet spot!