2025 Subaru Ascent vs 2026 Buick Envision

$39,995 · Crossover

$41,000 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Subaru Ascent leaps into the mid-size segment packing a formidable 260 horsepower punch from its turbocharged engine, offering sheer get-up-and-go paired with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, immediately appealing to those who crave capability. Conversely, the sleeker 2026 Buick Envision captivates with an air of refined elegance, though its 228 horsepower output suggests a focus on efficiency and urban cruising rather than brute force. While the Ascent is the larger vehicle at 196.8 inches long, the Envision boasts a more capacious rear hold with 25.2 cu ft versus the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft minimum. A notable performance gap exists, with the Ascent holding a 32 hp advantage. Fuel economy swings slightly to the Buick, achieving 24 combined MPG compared to the Ascent's 22 combined MPG, despite the Envision recommending premium fuel against the Ascent's regular unleaded.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Buick Envision

The Buick Envision wins for commuters due to its superior 24 combined MPG rating and smaller exterior footprint, making city driving easier.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent provides a larger platform, evidenced by its greater overall length (196.8 inches) and potentially more usable three-row space, which suits growing families.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Ascent is the clear choice for driving excitement, delivering a robust 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent undercuts the Buick by offering significantly more power for a lower starting MSRP of $39,995.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

You prioritize sheer output, taking advantage of the 260 hp engine to conquer steep grades.
You need the peace of mind afforded by standard All-Wheel Drive and a larger body structure (71.6 inches tall).
You prefer running on regular unleaded fuel while achieving a respectable 26 MPG on the highway.

Choose the Buick Envision if...

You value dedicated cargo space, benefiting from the 25.2 cu ft available in the rear.
Your driving priorities lean towards maximizing city fuel economy (22 City MPG) while enjoying a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission.
You desire a more compact profile, as the Envision is nearly 14 inches shorter in length than the Ascent.

Key Dimensions

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

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Subaru	Buick
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	✓	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Subaru	Buick
Base Engine Displacement	2.4 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	flat 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	260 hp @ 5600 rpm	228 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	277 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1500 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	Subaru	Buick
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

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

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

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

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

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

Rearseats

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

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Subaru	Buick
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 7.5 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	245/60R	P235/60R18
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	—	18 in

Suspension

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

Warranty

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What is the primary performance difference between the 2025 Ascent and the 2026 Envision?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent dominates in raw power output, boasting 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. The 2026 Buick Envision produces a more modest 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, indicating a less aggressive driving focus.

Does one vehicle offer better fuel efficiency than the other?

The 2026 Buick Envision technically has the edge in efficiency, achieving 24 combined MPG compared to the Ascent's 22 combined MPG. However, the Ascent runs on regular unleaded, while the Envision recommends premium fuel.

Which crossover has more usable cargo volume?

The 2026 Buick Envision offers significantly more dedicated cargo capacity at 25.2 cubic feet, whereas the 2025 Subaru Ascent provides a smaller 17.8 cubic feet (likely referencing a three-row configuration minimum).

How do the MSRPs compare between the two models?

The 2025 Subaru Ascent starts at a more accessible $39,995, giving it a slight cost advantage over the 2026 Buick Envision, which begins at $41,000.

Is the transmission setup notably different?

Yes, the Ascent utilizes a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) known for smooth, gearless acceleration. In contrast, the Envision features a more traditional 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission, giving drivers more direct control over gear changes.

How much larger is the Ascent compared to the Envision physically?

The Subaru Ascent is substantially larger, measuring 196.8 inches in length and 71.6 inches in height. The Buick Envision is more compact, coming in at 182.7 inches long and 64.6 inches tall.