Compare the2025 Subaru AscentVS 2025 Buick Enclave

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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Ascent’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Ascent and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Subaru Ascent achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Enclave has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Buick vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Buick is ranked 11th.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Enclave Avenir AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Enclave’s (38 feet vs. 39 feet). The Ascent’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels’ (38 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.7 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ascent is 10.8 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Ascent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ascent offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

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.

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.

The Ascent’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (5000 vs. 1500 pounds).

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 the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Buick. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 18% lower rating, Buick is ranked 9th.

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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s exterior PIN entry system. The Enclave 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 Enclave Avenir’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Ascent’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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.

The Subaru Ascent has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Buick charges extra for Homelink® on the Enclave.

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

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Buick Enclave by over two to one during 2024.