Towing to the Lake: What the 2026 Outback XT Can Handle on the Way to Muskoka

Summer weekends in Simcoe County usually involve loading up a boat, a trailer, or gear for a trip north, and the vehicle doing the towing needs to keep up without feeling strained along the way. The 2026 Subaru Outback's turbocharged XT trims were built with exactly that kind of weekend in mind, adding meaningful engine output on top of the SUV's standard all-wheel-drive foundation.

For drivers in Orillia heading toward Muskoka or the shores of Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, the difference between the standard Outback engine and the XT lineup comes down to how much can be hauled and how the SUV manages that load along the way. Here's what changes when you move to a turbocharged Outback, and which XT trim fits your routine.

What the Turbocharged Engine Adds

Every 2026 Outback starts with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Boxer engine producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque, paired to a Lineartronic CVT with an 8-speed manual shift mode and standard Symmetrical Full-Time All-Wheel Drive. That's a capable setup for daily driving, but the Limited XT and Premier XT trims step up to a 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired with the same CVT and AWD system.

That extra torque is what matters most for towing. The turbocharged engine gives the Outback up to 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) of towing capacity, enough for a mid-size boat, a pair of personal watercraft, or a small camping trailer. The XT trims also carry the Outback's standard 220 mm of ground clearance and the latest version of X-MODE, which can now be toggled through a steering wheel-mounted switch so the driver never has to look away from the trail or the boat ramp.

Limited XT

The Limited XT is where the turbocharged engine becomes available without moving to the SUV's top trim level. Drivers who want the towing capacity and throttle response of the 2.4-litre engine, along with a well-equipped cabin, tend to land here.

• 260 hp / 277 lb-ft 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine with 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) towing capacity
• 11.6-inch touchscreen with GPS navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system
• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology with Emergency Automatic Steering, Lane Centring Assist, and Reverse Automatic Braking
• Leather seating with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power lumbar support

Premier XT

The Premier XT carries the same engine and towing figures as the Limited XT, so the choice between them comes down to comfort and technology rather than capability. This trim adds the Outback's most complete feature set for drivers who want everything included before they hitch up for the weekend.

• Same 260 hp / 277 lb-ft engine and 1,588 kg (3,500 lb) towing capacity as Limited XT
• Ventilated, genuine Nappa leather seating surfaces
• Driver-supervised Highway Hands-Free Assist available on designated highways
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a Calm Mode display and power sunroof

Comparing the Outback XT Trims

Your Outback XT Is Waiting in Orillia

Both XT trims give Orillia drivers the same turbocharged engine and the same towing capacity, so the right choice usually comes down to which cabin features matter most for how the SUV gets used the rest of the week. A boat launch at Couchiching Beach Park or a trailer pulled up Highway 11 toward Muskoka puts the same demand on either trim.

Visit our sales team at Subaru of Orillia to test drive the Limited XT or Premier XT and secure yours today.