Compare the2022 Subaru OutbackVS 2021 Buick Envision

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Buick Envision doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Envision doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Outback (except Base/Premium) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Envision doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the Envision.

The Outback’s optional driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Envision doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Outback and the Envision have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outback its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 62 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Envision has not been tested, yet.

The Outback’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Envision’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (260 vs. 228) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 258) than the Envision’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The Envision doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Outback XT/Wilderness XT CVT turbo 4 cyl. gets better fuel mileage than the Envision AWD (23 city/30 hwy vs. 22 city/29 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Envision requires mid-grade for maximum efficiency, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The Outback has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision FWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Outback has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Envision AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 16.1 gallons).

The Outback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Envision doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx Edition XT has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Envision; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Envision’s (36.1 feet vs. 38 feet).

The front grille of the Outback 2.5i uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Envision doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outback has 8.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Envision (109 vs. 100.4).

The Outback has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 7.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Envision.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Outback’s rear seats recline. The Envision’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Envision with its rear seat up (32.5 vs. 25.2 cubic feet). The Outback has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Envision with its rear seat folded (75.7 vs. 52.7 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Outback. The Envision doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Envision’s (2700 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Envision is only 1500 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Envision. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Outback Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx Edition’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Envision’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The Envision doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Outback has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Envision doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Envision doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Outback as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.