2025 Buick Enclave vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged yet refined appearance, with the Wilderness trim receiving a subtle update featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding provided a striking contrast to the Autumn Green Metallic paint of the Touring XT model, a color that was both unique and appealing. The Outback's various trims offered different levels of black and chrome exterior accents, with the Touring trim showcasing the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied by trim, with standard black 17-inch alloy wheels and options for larger sizes and different finishes on higher trims. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its luxurious Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a step above the standard leather and synthetic options found in other trims.

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern design, reminiscent of the compact Envista crossover. Its sharp front end featured slim DRLs and a large, angular grille, while the side profile was more generic but still bolder than its predecessor. The Enclave's design included fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels adorned the base and Sport Touring trims, with the Avenir trim boasting 22-inch wheels in a special finish. Inside, the Enclave offered a modern and premium feel, with a floating center console and a large curved display. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, adding a touch of elegance. However, the limited availability of a panoramic sunroof was a drawback, with it only being standard on the top trim.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, and increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a Lineartronic CVT were standard across the lineup. The turbo engine provided a better driving experience, managing the vehicle's weight effectively, while the CVT mimicked the feel of an eight-speed transmission. The Outback's suspension and ground clearance, especially in the Wilderness trim, made it a capable off-road vehicle.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to either the front or all four wheels, with AWD available for an additional cost. The Enclave's towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds. Buick offered two versions of Active Noise Cancellation, with the engine noise cancellation standard only on the top trim. The Enclave's turbo engine was powerful but not the most refined, and the steering was loose at slower speeds, reflecting its large three-row design. Despite this, the Enclave provided a comfortable ride, with driving dynamics not being a top priority for its target audience.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered impressive interior space despite its sleek design. It provided more headroom and legroom than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, although it fell slightly short in cargo space with 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with them folded. The Outback's feature availability was notable, with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. Higher trims added features like heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Outback's roof rails with retractable cross bars were a practical touch for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2025 Buick Enclave provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. The second-row captain's chairs allowed for a seven-person capacity, and the steering wheel and front seats were heated by default. The Avenir trim added heated second-row seats and front seat ventilation. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the Enclave offered convenient features like a one-touch power feature for folding and sliding the second-row seats. The AutoSense liftgate provided easy access to the cargo area, which measured 22.9 cubic feet with all seats in place and expanded to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered a mix of old-school and modern technology features. The Touring trim was the only one with a CD player, while USB-C and USB-A ports were available on most trims. The top-trim model featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, with the base trim retaining a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless capability starting from the Premium trim. A 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard on most trims, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased its premium positioning with advanced technology offerings. A large 30-inch curved display integrated the infotainment and digital gauge cluster, although smartphone projection interrupted its seamless appearance. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with the Avenir trim featuring a 16-speaker Bose Performance system. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In for navigation and other apps. The Enclave also offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and USB ports in each row for wired charging.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It featured the EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, and the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistance features. Newly standard for 2025 were blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. HD Surround Vision with multiple camera views and adaptive cruise control were also standard. The Enclave offered GM's Teen Driver technology and Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system available on all trims. The 2024 model received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and performed well in most IIHS tests.