2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Subaru Outback, redesigned for the 2020 model year, retained a familiar and comfortable feel reminiscent of older Subaru models. Its interior, especially in trims above the base, featured a fresh design with an 11.6-inch portrait display surrounded by polished black plastic and chrome trim. The Onyx Edition XT, with its gray and black StarTex upholstery and lime green stitching, added a unique flair. The exterior maintained a smooth and plain styling with high gray cladding, adaptive LED headlights, and a new brown paint option. Despite its modern updates, the Outback's appearance remained consistent with its lifted wagon roots, offering a practical alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave embraced a more conservative design approach, reflecting its traditional customer base. Over the years, Buick transitioned from sedans to a lineup dominated by SUVs, with the Enclave sitting at the top. The 2022 model received a mid-cycle refresh with exterior enhancements, including a new grille and wheel designs. Inside, the Enclave featured a restyled center console with push-button gears and upgraded materials. The Avenir trim offered climate-controlled front seats and unique trim, providing a near-luxury experience. The Enclave's design updates aimed to maintain its appeal in the evolving SUV market.

The 2021 Subaru Outback offered two engine options. The base model featured a 2.5-liter flat-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combination struggled with the vehicle's weight, resulting in slow and noisy performance. However, the XT trims offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving acceleration and refinement. The Outback's handling was designed for comfort, with long-travel springs and 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable off-road. Subaru's AWD system provided excellent traction, with X-Mode optimizing performance in challenging conditions.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's FWD was standard, with AWD available on all trims. Despite its size, the Enclave offered responsive acceleration and a smooth ride, thanks to the Avenir Technology package's premium suspension and noise-cancellation technology. The Enclave's towing capacity reached 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and its AWD system provided confidence in light off-road conditions.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted impressive ground clearance, surpassing even some trucks, allowing it to tackle various terrains. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cabin provided ample headroom and legroom, with excellent visibility due to thin pillars and large windows. Storage options included large map pockets and bottle holders, while the integrated roof rails and crossbars added practicality. However, some features like push-button start and rear climate vents were limited to higher trims.

The 2022 Buick Enclave excelled in passenger comfort, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with power-adjustable front seats and heated second-row seats in higher trims. The Enclave's cargo space measured 23.6 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The restyled center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the spacious interior offered ample storage options. Power-folding third-row seats added convenience for accessing the cargo area.

The 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system appeared dated, with graphics reminiscent of older gaming consoles. However, it offered modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Subaru EyeSight, standard on all trims, included adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system provided good semi-automated control, it relied solely on cameras, limiting its effectiveness in certain conditions.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. The Enclave's infotainment system supported pairing up to 10 devices and included a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard safety features included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology. The Avenir trim offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a stronger and stiffer chassis, with standard airbags and available driver assists. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on Premium trims and standard on higher trims. The Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with some variations in specific tests.

The 2022 Buick Enclave introduced the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package as standard, including features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Additional safety features were available on higher trims, such as enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.