2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Buick Enclave

When the 2021 Subaru Ascent was introduced, it filled a significant gap in Subaru's lineup, which had been missing a three-row SUV since the poorly received Tribeca. The Ascent's design was a scaled-up version of Subaru's smaller models like the Forester and Outback, making it instantly recognizable as part of the Subaru family. The interior followed suit, with a dashboard design that mirrored other Subaru models, likely to create a sense of familiarity for loyal customers. The Ascent was available in four trims: Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each offering progressively more features, from driver-assistance technologies to premium audio systems.

The 2022 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, represented a significant shift for Buick, which had transitioned from a sedan-heavy lineup to an all-SUV portfolio. The Enclave, first introduced in 2008 and redesigned in 2018, received a mid-cycle refresh for 2022. This included new exterior styling elements and a restyled center console with upgraded materials. The top-tier Avenir trim featured unique design touches and premium features like climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs. The Enclave was available in Essence, Premium, and Avenir trims, with the base Preferred trim discontinued for 2022.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system. The Ascent's ride was focused on comfort, with responsive handling and the ability to absorb road imperfections. It featured 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable in snowy conditions and light off-roading. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included a standard Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available on all trims. The SUV's maximum towing capacity was also 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave was known for its quiet and smooth ride, enhanced by the optional Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave's powertrain was surprisingly responsive, and the nine-speed automatic transmission performed seamlessly.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. It came standard with a power liftgate but lacked a hands-free option. The Ascent could seat up to eight passengers, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was better suited for children. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous storage compartments.

The 2022 Buick Enclave provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The Enclave featured power-folding third-row seats for added convenience. It could comfortably seat six adults, thanks to standard second-row captain's chairs, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all three rows. The restyled center console included push-button transmission gears and easy access to USB ports and a wireless phone charging pad.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent featured Subaru's StarLink infotainment system with logical menus and large icons. It came with a 6.5-inch or 8-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim, and included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Ascent also offered two front and two second-row USB ports, with additional third-row ports and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium stereo available.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation. The Enclave's system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims also featured a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Standard safety tech included a following-distance indicator, HD rear vision camera, and Teen Driver technology, with additional features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display available on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+, thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Ascent also offered optional features like reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing windshield wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Buick Enclave made significant strides in safety for 2022, with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package now standard on all trims. This included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features on higher trims included enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, except for an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.