Compare the2026 Buick EnclaveVS 2026 Subaru Ascent

The Enclave has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Ascent doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Enclave and Ascent have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Enclave has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Ascent’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Enclave and the Ascent 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, 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, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

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

	Enclave	Ascent
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	165	190
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	21%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	229 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	8 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	159/292 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 post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Buick Enclave is safer than the Subaru Ascent:

	Enclave	Ascent
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	18 inches
Spine Acceleration	48 G’s	52 G’s

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

The Enclave’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Ascent’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 15 percent more Buick dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Enclave has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Ascent’s 190-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Enclave has a standard 730-amp battery. The Ascent’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 69 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 68 more horsepower (328 vs. 260) and 49 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 277) than the Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Buick Enclave is faster than the Subaru Ascent:

	Enclave	Ascent
Zero to 60 MPH	6.8 sec	6.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	16.9 sec	19.4 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.1 sec	7.8 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3.1 sec	3.9 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	15.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	91 MPH

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Enclave’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Ascent doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Buick Enclave uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Ascent requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ascent (21.7 vs. 19.3 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 Ascent doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Buick Enclave higher (6 out of 10) than the Subaru Ascent (4). This means the Enclave produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Ascent every 15,000 miles.

The Enclave stops much shorter than the Ascent:

	Enclave	Ascent
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Ascent (255/55R20 vs. 245/60R18). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ascent (275/45R22 vs. 245/60R18).

The Enclave’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ascent Premium’s standard 60 series tires. The Enclave’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Ascent Limited/Touring’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Ascent Premium. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Ascent Limited/Touring.

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

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 Ascent’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the Ascent (120.9 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 2.9 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Ascent.

The Enclave Avenir handles at .83 G’s, while the Ascent Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

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

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

The Enclave has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear hip room, 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.1 inches more third row headroom, .4 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and .6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Ascent.

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

	Enclave	Ascent
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	17.8 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.1 cubic feet	43.5 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	75.6 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Enclave easier. The Enclave’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.7 inches, while the Ascent’s liftover is 32 inches.

The Enclave’s cargo area is larger than the Ascent’s in every dimension:

	Enclave	Ascent
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	22.3”/52.8”/86”	20.3”/48”/82.9”
Max Width	52.2”	50.5”
Min Width	48.6”	45.9”
Height	35”	34”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Enclave’s optional second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Ascent doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Enclave’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Ascent doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ascent 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.

The Enclave’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Ascent doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Enclave’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Ascent does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Enclave and the Ascent 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 Ascent 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 Ascent’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

On a hot day the Enclave’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ascent can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Enclave’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. Keyless Access and Start standard on the Ascent doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear doors.

The Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Ascent Limited/Touring.

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 is only available on the Ascent Limited/Touring.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Ascent.

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. Wireless charging costs extra on the Ascent.

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Ascent doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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