2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave represented a significant shift in Buick's design philosophy, moving away from its traditionally conservative styling to embrace a more modern and upscale appearance. This transformation was evident in the Enclave's exterior, which featured a refreshed grille, updated front and rear fascias, and new headlamp and taillamp designs. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels, offering a touch of exclusivity. Inside, the Enclave's cabin was a testament to comfort and functionality, with upgraded materials and a restyled center console. The Avenir trim further elevated the experience with standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs, providing a luxurious feel that was a step above its predecessors.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift that gave it a more aggressive and rugged appearance. The redesigned front end, with its new LED headlights, restyled grille, and dark gray cladding, contributed to a bolder look. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented this audacious design. Inside, the Outback Touring trim offered a comfortable and upscale environment, featuring premium Nappa leather seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and a spacious cabin that accommodated passengers with ease. Despite some wind noise on the highway, the Outback's interior was praised for its practicality and comfort, making it a suitable choice for long journeys.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, with the Enclave's AWD system and premium ride suspension ensuring a comfortable journey across various terrains. The Enclave's towing capacity of 5,000 pounds was impressive for its class, and its QuietTuning technology contributed to a serene cabin environment, rivaling more expensive luxury vehicles.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, offered a choice between two engines. The standard 2.5-liter flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, which felt underpowered for the vehicle's weight, especially during passing and climbing. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine in the XT models provided a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, enhancing the Outback's performance. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system made it capable off-road, while its suspension tuning ensured a comfortable ride in various driving conditions. However, the standard engine's fuel economy was disappointing, falling short of EPA estimates.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin accommodated six adults comfortably, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room across all three rows. The Enclave's cargo space was generous, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The restyled center console and push-button transmission gears added to the Enclave's modern appeal, though the potential for spills on the electronic shifter components was a concern.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with its practical design elements, such as the robust roof rack and flat door sills. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable seats, premium Nappa leather, and heated front and rear seats. The Outback's cargo space was ample, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The vehicle's height made entry and exit easy, and the interior provided plenty of storage options, though more practical storage space could be beneficial.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a WiFi hotspot and a 10-speaker Bose audio system in higher trims. The system was user-friendly, though some graphics appeared dated. The Enclave also offered a range of advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control and a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Outback came equipped with a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system's usability had improved, though the graphics and voice recognition system were less impressive. The Outback also featured a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, with additional technologies available in higher trims. The vehicle's safety features, including EyeSight and Automatic Emergency Steering, contributed to its reputation as a safe and reliable choice.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included a suite of advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. The Enclave received high safety ratings from the IIHS, though it scored "Acceptable" in the updated side-impact test. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the 2022 model at the time of writing.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. The vehicle's safety features, such as Automatic Emergency Steering and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera, enhanced its safety credentials, though some systems, like the rear automatic braking, had limitations.