New Subaru Outbacks Have a Ruler In Their Taillights — Is It Actually Useful?

With almost 60 years in the automotive industry, I have found Subaru has always been a leader in helping blend practicality with innovation for DIYers and outdoor enthusiasts. The 2026 Outback is no exception. The “ruler” incorporated into the new taillights is another example of how Subaru places an emphasis on one thing no other manufacturer offers.

But is it simply a gimmick (like when Chrysler introduced a 7-in. vinyl record player in the 1950s and ’60s), a passing style (like vinyl and Landau roofs) or did Subaru develop a strong Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to increase sales by making it more appealing to its customers? Read along to see what we found.

The 2026 Subaru Outback Ruler Taillight, Explained

I reached out to Subaru but did not receive a response. The questions I then went digging for answers for were:

Is the Subaru Outback ruler taillight a real ruler?

Yes and no. I compare it to a nice piece of a fireplace mantel (dental) trim. If you spend a few minutes measuring and learning the spaces between the “teeth” or blocks of the ruler, it will give you close but not accurate measurements when you don’t have a tape measure handy.

Does it have graduation marks (standard or metric)?

No, there are no useful graduation marks. It was not designed to replace a time-honored measuring tape. This feature is designed for simple, quick, on-the-go measurements.

Are the spaces compensated for the curvature of the taillight for longer measurements?

No. The taillight’s curvature can and will make it difficult to make precise measurements on longer items, though you’ll probably end up with a reliable guesstimate.

Usage Ideas

There have been a few times when I could have used something like this simple component to measure.

• Home center: You should always have a measuring tape with you when visiting these places.
• Outdoors: Measure ropes or tent poles for proper setup.
• Fishing: You never know when you’re going to catch the “big one!”
• Auto: Cutting hose length or finding the size of other parts quickly.
• Home: Screw length, small piece of wood
• Gardening: Distance between plantings or measure the depth of soil.

While, again, this is a fun and somewhat practical feature, it’s only limited by your needs and imagination.

FAQ

Should the ruler feature really influence whether I purchase a 2026 Subaru Outback?

Absolutely NOT! Subaru is not the type of company that just slaps on willy-nilly gimmicks. Whether you think this is a handy attribute or not, go and look at and drive the car yourself. My research shows that at least 10 new improvements were added to the 2026 Subaru Outback.

What can I compare this taillight to?

The Hyundai “dog-bone” or Jeep “X” taillights are something that the driving public likes to comment on, says Subaru Technical Trainer Charles Klansman. Also, some memorable automotive monikers and nicknames include:

• Rumble seats.
• Dog dish hubcaps.
• Rag tops.

Resources

• Charles Klansman, Subaru Technical Trainer (Electronic communication Apr 28, 2025)
• Alex Black, Chief Marketing Officer at EpicVIN, (Electronic communication Apr 28, 2025)
• Greg Eife, Service and Parts Director of Subaru of Cherry Hill. (Electronic communication Apr 24, 2025)