Subaru has announced a complimentary software update for owners of 2026 Outback Touring and Touring XT models, enabling the brand’s first hands-free highway driving system.
The update expands Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driver-assist technology, integrating GPS data, 3D high-definition maps, millimeter-wave radar, and a camera-based system to enhance safety and convenience on the road.
Owners who purchased their Outback after January 19, 2026, already have the updated system, while earlier buyers can receive the software at dealerships at no cost.
Subaru engineers tested the upgraded EyeSight system over approximately 100,000 miles to refine its performance, focusing on driver attention and hands-free patterns to ensure optimal functionality and safety.
The hands-free feature operates when adaptive cruise control is engaged. On highways with at least two lanes, the system can assist drivers at speeds up to 85 mph. EyeSight acts as a second set of eyes, supporting functions such as lane changes, pre-curve speed adjustment, emergency stopping, and safely resuming speed after slowdowns.
The update is further supported by Subaru’s second-generation DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation system. The upgraded system includes a wider-angle, higher-resolution camera, improved processing, and infrared LEDs capable of tracking eye movement through most sunglasses or eyeglasses. This enhancement helps EyeSight monitor driver fatigue more effectively, reinforcing overall safety.
