What's happened
Two redesigned SUVs, the Subaru Outback and Honda Passport, are highlighted for 2026. The Outback offers improved performance and fuel economy with turbocharged engines, while the Passport emphasizes spaciousness. Both models feature advanced tech and off-road capabilities, with reviews favoring the Outback for value and performance.
What's behind the headline?
The 2026 SUV updates reflect a clear industry shift towards versatile, tech-rich vehicles.
- Subaru's Outback now offers turbocharged engines that outperform the Honda Passport in acceleration and fuel economy, indicating a focus on combining power with efficiency.
- The redesigns emphasize increased cargo space, rugged styling, and advanced driver aids, aligning with consumer preferences for practicality and safety.
- The Honda Passport remains competitive with its spacious interior and taller profile, but the review suggests it lags slightly in performance.
- Nissan's upcoming Rogue E-Power introduces a new hybrid system designed for efficiency, with early tests showing promising fuel economy of nearly 48 mpg.
- The North American market is increasingly receptive to hybrid and off-road capable vehicles, which explains the industry’s push for these features.
Overall, these updates will likely influence consumer choices, favoring models that balance performance, technology, and versatility. The Subaru Outback's superior value and performance are expected to make it a popular choice, while Nissan's hybrid innovations could reshape the hybrid market in North America.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the full redesigns of the Subaru Outback and Honda Passport, emphasizing their larger size, off-road capabilities, and new styling. AP News provides detailed comparisons of engine options, performance, and fuel economy, favoring the Outback for its robustness and value. Ars Technica discusses Nissan's new E-Power hybrid system, noting its efficiency focus and early testing results, which suggest it could be a compelling hybrid option in North America. These sources collectively illustrate a market trending towards larger, more capable, and technologically advanced SUVs, with hybrid systems gaining prominence.
How we got here
The automotive industry is seeing a wave of redesigns for 2026, driven by consumer demand for better performance, technology, and versatility. The Subaru Outback and Honda Passport are among the key models receiving full updates, reflecting trends toward larger, more capable SUVs with advanced driver aids and off-road features. Meanwhile, Nissan is preparing to introduce its new hybrid system, E-Power, to North America, aiming to improve efficiency and appeal to hybrid buyers.
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