Compare the2023 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Buick Enclave

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent 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 Enclave doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Ascent are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Buick Enclave doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

The Subaru Ascent has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Ascent 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 Enclave doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

The Ascent Limited/Touring’s 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 Enclave doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Ascent and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	190	216
Neck Compression	8 lbs.	77 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	210	333
Chest Compression	.7 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33%	35.2%
Leg Forces (l/r)	35/30 lbs.	258/133 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Buick Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	37	69
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	161 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	81	134
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	346 lbs.	716 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	149	251

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	82	141
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	446 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.3 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.5 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	89 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	1.18 in	1.22 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	201 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ascent its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Enclave has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

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

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Ascent has a standard 190-amp alternator. The Enclave’s 170-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 4 places higher in reliability than Buick.

Engine

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 266) than the Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Ascent is faster than the Buick Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90.5 MPH	84.5 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Enclave doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the Enclave:

			MPG
Ascent
	AWD	2.4 turbo flat-4	20 city/26 hwy
		Limited/Touring/Onyx 2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/25 hwy
Enclave
	FWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	17 city/25 hwy

Transmission

The Ascent 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 Enclave doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Ascent’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12.4 inches

The Ascent stops much shorter than the Enclave:

	Ascent	Enclave
70 to 0 MPH	176 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	134 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	136 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Ascent’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Enclave’s standard 65 series tires. The Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Enclave’s optional 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Ascent’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (54.2% to 45.8%) than the Enclave’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Ascent more stable handling and braking.

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the Enclave Avenir pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Enclave Avenir (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Enclave’s (38 feet vs. 39 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.7 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Ascent is 8 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the Enclave Essence:

	Ascent	Enclave
Full-Throttle	70 dB	78 dB
70 MPH Cruising	64 dB	67 dB

Passenger Space

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 1 inch more front legroom, .1 inches more rear headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the Enclave.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ascent’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

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

Towing

The Ascent’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Ascent uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Enclave doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Enclave. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Ascent’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Ascent 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 Enclave doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Ascent has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Enclave doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $180 to $1590 less than the Enclave over a five-year period.

The Ascent will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ascent will retain 52.78% to 54.99% of its original price after five years, while the Enclave only retains 43.19% to 43.97%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the Enclave because it costs $145 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the Enclave, including $229 less for a water pump, $321 less for a muffler, $113 less for front brake pads, $198 less for fuel injection, $137 less for a fuel pump, $507 less for a timing belt/chain and $942 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $12823 to $14660 less than for the Buick Enclave.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Buick Enclave, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Buick Enclave by over two to one during 2022.

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