2025 Buick Envision vs 2026 Subaru Outback

$38,000 · Crossover

$34,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Choosing between the premium feel of the 2025 Buick Envision and the rugged utility of the 2026 Subaru Outback is a common dilemma for crossover shoppers. If initial cost matters most, the Outback leads the charge, starting at $34,995 compared to the Envision's $38,000 MSRP, saving you $3,005 upfront. However, the Buick delivers a significant punch with 228 horsepower, handily beating the Outback's 180 hp, which might matter more during highway merging. Fuel efficiency swings back toward Subaru, as the Outback achieves a combined 27 MPG on regular unleaded, whereas the Envision manages 24 MPG while recommending premium fuel. Furthermore, the Outback offers substantially more room, boasting 34.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity versus the Envision's smaller 25.2 cubic feet, making long road trips easier on the Subaru.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback wins for daily commuting due to its better fuel economy, achieving 27 combined MPG on regular fuel.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Outback

The Outback is the clear family choice, offering a massive 34.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Envision's 25.2 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Buick Envision

Enthusiasts will prefer the 2025 Buick Envision for its superior powertrain, featuring 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Outback

The 2026 Subaru Outback provides better overall value, being $3,005 cheaper and offering better mileage.

Choose the Buick Envision if...

You prioritize outright performance, as the Buick Envision offers 48 more horsepower (228 hp vs 180 hp).
You prefer a traditional 9-speed automatic transmission over a CVT.
You desire a slightly more compact footprint, with the Envision measuring 182.7 inches long.

Choose the Subaru Outback if...

You want to save money on fuel costs by using regular unleaded gasoline.
Maximum storage space is critical, thanks to the Outback's segment-leading 34.6 cu ft of cargo room.
You want better gas mileage, as the Outback achieves 27 combined MPG versus the Envision's 24 combined MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Envision	Subaru Outback
Length	182.7"	191.7"
Width	74.1"	74.0"
Height	64.6"	67.5"
Wheelbase	109.0"	108.1"

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	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	228 hp @ 5000 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 4800 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	25/31 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	24 MPG	27 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	354.2/450.8 mi.	450.0/558.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	16.1 gal.	18.0 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	—	✓
Front Parking Sensors	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓
Cargo Floor Mats	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Infotainment Display	30.0 in	12.1 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.	40.2 in.
Front Leg Room	40.4 in.	43.0 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.7 in.	57.9 in.
Front Hip Room	55.1 in.	55.5 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	Power
Driver Seat Memory Settings	2	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.9 in.	40.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	39.3 in.	39.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.9 in.	57.4 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	55.1 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P245/45R20	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	18 x 7.0 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 Outback.

Is the 2025 Buick Envision significantly faster than the 2026 Subaru Outback?

Yes, the Buick Envision holds a clear advantage in power, delivering 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to the Outback's 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This 48 hp difference should result in noticeably quicker acceleration for the Buick.

Which vehicle is better for long family road trips based on cargo space?

The 2026 Subaru Outback is the clear winner for cargo. It offers 34.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, which is substantially more than the 25.2 cubic feet available in the 2025 Buick Envision.

Does the fuel requirement impact the long-term cost difference between these two cars?

It does. The Envision recommends premium unleaded, which costs more per gallon than the regular unleaded the Outback accepts. While the Outback gets better MPG (27 combined), the cheaper fuel further widens the value gap in Subaru's favor.

How do their standard drivetrains compare?

Both models feature standard All-Wheel Drive, which is great for slippery conditions. However, the Buick pairs its system with a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the Subaru utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).

How much more expensive is the 2025 Buick Envision?

The Buick Envision has an MSRP of $38,000, making it $3,005 more expensive than the base 2026 Subaru Outback, which starts at $34,995.

Which car is physically larger overall?

Despite having less cargo room, the 2026 Subaru Outback is physically longer and taller than the Buick Envision. The Outback measures 191.7 inches long and 67.5 inches high, versus the Envision's 182.7-inch length and 64.6-inch height.