2022 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave represented a significant comeback for the Buick brand, which had struggled through the Malaise Era of automotive design and marketing. The Enclave, a large, shiny, and impressive SUV, helped Buick regain its footing by appealing to consumer preferences for SUVs. It was the largest of Buick's four SUV offerings, with the others being the smaller Encore, Encore GX, and Envision. The Enclave's design, especially in the Avenir trim, featured a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, giving it a premium look. Inside, the Enclave Avenir boasted a minimalist yet upscale interior with soft, perforated leather and polished accents, although the wood trim was not genuine.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness pushed the boundaries of what a station wagon could be, resembling more of a Jeep with its 9.5 inches of ground clearance and aggressive all-terrain tires. The Wilderness trim featured a unique grille design, black 17-inch wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim with Anodized Copper accents. The interior was dominated by dark gray and black StarTex water-repellant upholstery, which, while practical, could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback Wilderness also included a new roof rack system capable of supporting a 700-pound static load, making it ideal for rooftop camping.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The Enclave's acceleration was strong, and its ride quality was enhanced by a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping, especially in the Avenir trim. The Enclave had a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine was mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios and paddle shifters. While the engine provided ample power, the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes detracted from the driving experience. The Outback Wilderness featured standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. It had an EPA-rated fuel economy of 24 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 21.3 mpg on a mountainous route. The Wilderness trim also included enhanced off-road capabilities, such as a dual-function X-Mode traction system and improved approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering spacious and comfortable seating for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation, and a basic massaging function. The second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat provided ample room, with easy access through large rear doors. The Enclave offered 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 58 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated and offered 10-way power adjustment for the driver and 8-way power adjustment for the front passenger. The rear seat provided generous space for two adults or three children, with rear air conditioning vents and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area measured 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also included a more robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. However, it lacked integration with smart home digital assistants and had a relatively short free trial period for connected services. The Avenir trim included a premium 10-speaker Bose sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. A notable feature was the rear camera mirror, which provided a live video feed of what was behind the vehicle.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen infotainment system, which dominated the center of the dashboard. While it included physical knobs for volume and tuning and buttons for temperature control, most functions required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less responsive to natural commands, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more user-friendly options. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium sound system, which was available in other trims. However, it featured PIN code entry technology, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside the vehicle while engaging in outdoor activities.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were effective but limited in availability. Features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were only available in higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, which included forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more, was standard only in the Premium and Avenir trims. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was exclusive to the Avenir trim with the optional Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but had a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it high marks, except for a Marginal headlight performance rating.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured the EyeSight advanced driving assistance system (ADAS), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and a driver monitoring system. The Wilderness trim also had steering-responsive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, it lacked Subaru's DriverFocus distraction mitigation technology. The EyeSight system proved effective during testing, maintaining safe distances and keeping the vehicle centered in its lane. The 2021 Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.