2025 Buick Envision vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$38,000 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Buick Envision captivates with its refined, premium aesthetics and efficiency, appealing to drivers who value smooth, upscale cruising. It achieves a commendable 24 MPG combined rating while offering 228 hp. Conversely, the rugged 2026 Subaru Ascent leans into capability and sheer size, boasting a robust 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque for more spirited acceleration. While the Ascent is physically larger at 196.8 inches long, its trade-off is efficiency, returning only 22 MPG combined. The Buick comes in at a slightly lower starting MSRP of $38,000 compared to the Ascent's $40,795. Though both offer AWD, the Envision’s 9-speed automatic transmission provides a different dynamic feel than the Ascent’s CVT, making the choice boil down to luxury poise versus brute force and capacity.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Buick Envision

The Buick Envision wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 24 MPG compared to the Ascent's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Ascent

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is the better family hauler due to its significantly larger dimensions, including a greater overall length and height.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Ascent

Enthusiasts will prefer the Subaru Ascent's higher output, delivering 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque versus the Envision's 228 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Buick Envision

The Buick Envision offers a lower entry price point at $38,000 and better fuel efficiency for the dollar spent.

Choose the Buick Envision if...

You prioritize fuel efficiency, benefiting from the Envision's 28 MPG highway rating.
You desire a lower initial investment, with an MSRP starting at $38,000.
You prefer the driving feel of a traditional 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You need maximum power, leveraging the Ascent's 32-horsepower advantage (260 hp vs. 228 hp).
You frequently haul large items, as the Ascent is physically bigger and offers superior torque for towing/hauling.
You require flexibility in fuel choice, as the Ascent runs on regular unleaded while the Envision recommends premium.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Envision	Subaru Ascent
Length	182.7"	196.8"
Width	74.1"	76.0"
Height	64.6"	71.6"
Wheelbase	109.0"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	228 hp @ 5000 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	✓	—

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	22/28 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.2/450.8 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.1 gal.	19.3 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Front View Camera	✓	—
Side View Camera	✓	—
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Infotainment Display	30.0 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	9	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	—
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Buick	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	40.4 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	55.1 in.	57.8 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.3 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	57.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/45R20	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	6 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ unlimited mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Buick Envision and 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Which vehicle is significantly larger for interior space?

The 2026 Subaru Ascent is considerably larger overall, measuring 196.8 inches in length compared to the Buick Envision's 182.7 inches. However, note that the Ascent reports less cargo capacity at 17.8 cu ft versus the Envision's 25.2 cu ft in the provided specifications.

How does the fuel requirement impact the long-term cost between these two AWD crossovers?

The Buick Envision recommends premium unleaded fuel, potentially increasing operational costs over time. In contrast, the 2026 Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded, which typically carries a lower price per gallon at the pump.

Is the performance difference between the two noticeable for daily driving?

Yes, the Ascent provides a noticeable bump in grunt, achieving 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, making it quicker than the Envision's 228 hp output. This extra power may be felt most when accelerating onto highways or passing.

How do the transmissions differ in these two AWD models?

The 2025 Buick Envision utilizes a conventional 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, often preferred for direct shifting feel. The 2026 Subaru Ascent employs a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT), which prioritizes seamless, non-step acceleration for efficiency and smoothness.

If I want the best fuel economy, which one should I choose?

The 2025 Buick Envision is the clear winner for fuel conservation, achieving a combined 24 MPG (22 city/28 highway). The Subaru Ascent trails slightly with a combined 22 MPG rating.

Which crossover has the lower starting price?

The 2025 Buick Envision has a more accessible starting MSRP of $38,000, offering a lower barrier to entry than the 2026 Subaru Ascent, which begins at $40,795.