Compare the2026 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2026 Buick Enclave

The Mitsubishi Outlander has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help 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.

With its standard Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection, the Mitsubishi Outlander is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Buick Enclave, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

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

Both the Outlander and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Enclave’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Buick covers the Enclave. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Enclave ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Outlander’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Enclave’s (7/100,000 vs. 6/100,000).

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Enclave.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Outlander’s reliability 15 points higher than the Enclave.

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

Regenerative brakes improve the Outlander’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Enclave doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Outlander 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 Outlander’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Enclave doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Enclave’s (36.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Outlander’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels’ (36.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outlander ES/Trail has a 1.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (8.3 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Outlander to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outlander SE/SEL’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Enclave Avenir (8.4 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Outlander is 1 foot, 9.8 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Outlander easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The Outlander SE/SEL/Trail’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Enclave’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Outlander ES’ standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Outlander S-AWC has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Enclave doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander retains 48.85% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 41.48% resale value of the 2025 Buick Enclave after five years, which can save the Mitsubishi’s owner up to $11229 in depreciation.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Enclave isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Mitsubishi Outlander outsold the Buick Enclave by 6% during 2025.