2023 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift, reflecting Buick's transition to an SUV-centric lineup, aligning with market trends. The 2022 model, part of a mid-cycle refresh, featured several exterior enhancements, including a new grille, updated fascias, and redesigned headlamps and taillamps. The Avenir trim, in particular, stood out with its unique grille and 20-inch wheels, offering a touch of luxury without reaching Cadillac levels. Inside, the Enclave boasted upgraded materials, a restyled centre console, and available heated and cooled seats, enhancing comfort and appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Outback embraced a more rugged and aggressive appearance with its facelift. The redesigned front end featured new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark grey cladding, giving the Outback a bold look. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented this audacious design. Inside, the Outback Limited trim offered a comfortable and practical cabin, with premium Nappa leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and ample space for passengers. Despite some wind noise on highways, the Outback's interior was praised for its comfort and utility, with features like a robust roof rack and practical storage solutions enhancing its appeal.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-litre V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided a smooth and responsive driving experience, despite the Enclave's substantial weight of over 2,000 kilograms. The Enclave's AWD system and 19 centimetres of ground clearance made it capable of handling light off-road trails and wintry conditions. The Avenir Technology package further enhanced the ride quality with a premium suspension and real-time chassis damping, ensuring a serene and comfortable journey.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, offered a choice between two engines. The standard 2.5-litre flat-four engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. While this engine provided adequate performance for city driving, it struggled with passing and climbing power, and its fuel efficiency was less than expected. The Outback XT models, equipped with a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine, offered a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, while its suspension tuning ensured a comfortable ride across various terrains.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. The cabin featured standard eight-way power driver and six-way power front passenger seats, both heated, with tri-zone climate control. The Enclave's three-row seating provided ample space for passengers, with the third row accommodating six-footers comfortably. The second-row captain's chairs added versatility, and the restyled centre console with push-button transmission gears improved accessibility. The Enclave also offered generous cargo space, with 668 litres behind the third row and up to 2,758 litres with all seats folded.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility and comfort, with features like a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated Nappa leather seats. The Outback's cabin was spacious, accommodating two adults and two teens comfortably during long trips. The vehicle's high ground clearance and height-adjustable seats made entry and exit easy. The Outback offered 923 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 2,141 litres with the seats folded, with practical features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills enhancing its utility. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space within the cabin.

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

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included physical controls for volume and climate, with other functions embedded in the touchscreen. The Outback's infotainment system was improved for 2023, though the voice recognition system was lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety, with the standard Buick Driver Confidence Plus package offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added features like blind spot monitoring and a new Automatic Emergency Steering system. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were noted for their artificial steering feel, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.