Compare the2023 Buick EnclaveVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the Buick Enclave’s middle seat shoulder belts have child comfort guides to move the belt to properly fit children. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages children to buckle up. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer comfort guides on its middle seat belts.

Both the Enclave and the Outlander PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Warranty

There are over 6 times as many Buick dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 87 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 28th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Enclave’s 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 62 more horsepower (310 vs. 248) than the Outlander PHEV’s 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (19.4 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander PHEV (21.7 vs. 14.8 gallons).

The Enclave has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

The Enclave’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Outlander PHEV are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger tires than the Outlander PHEV (255/65R18 vs. 235/60R18).

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Enclave has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander PHEV’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 14.4 inches longer than on the Outlander PHEV (120.9 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander PHEV.

Chassis

The Buick Enclave may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Enclave has standard flush composite headlights. The Outlander PHEV has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Enclave uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 31.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Outlander PHEV (157.3 vs. 125.5).

The Enclave has 2 inches more front headroom, 5.1 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom, 4.4 inches more rear hip room, 5.7 inches more rear shoulder room, 4.5 inches more third row headroom, 14.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 6.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander PHEV.

Cargo Capacity

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander PHEV.

	Enclave	Outlander PHEV
Behind Third Seat	23.6 cubic feet	11.7 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.7 cubic feet	33.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.4 cubic feet	64.7 cubic feet

The Enclave’s cargo area is larger than the Outlander PHEV’s in almost every dimension:

	Enclave	Outlander PHEV
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	26.2”/54”/90”	n.a./80.3”
Max Width	52.7”	53”
Min Width	48.5”	42.1”
Height	30.8”	n/a

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is limited to 1500 pounds. The Enclave offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander PHEV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Buick fifth in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 12th.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Enclave and the Outlander PHEV have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Enclave is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander PHEV prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Enclave’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Outlander PHEV’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Enclave the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Outlander PHEV can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Enclave’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mitsubishi Connect can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Enclave’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander PHEV’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Enclave’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL.

The Enclave’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander PHEV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Enclave Premium/Avenir keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Outlander PHEV.

A built-in pollen filter removes pollen, exhaust fumes and other pollutants from the Enclave’s passenger compartment. This helps prevent lung and/or sinus irritation which can trigger allergies or asthma. The Outlander PHEV’s air conditioner doesn’t offer a filtration system.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander PHEV SE/SEL offers wireless charging.

Model Availability

The Enclave is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Outlander PHEV doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Recommendations

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