2026 Buick Enclave vs 2026 Subaru Ascent

$46,200 · Crossover

$40,795 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Picking between the 2026 Buick Enclave and the 2026 Subaru Ascent often comes down to power versus price in the large crossover segment. You're looking at a significant $5,405 difference, with the Ascent starting at $40,795 while the Enclave begins at $46,200. However, that extra investment buys you performance; the Enclave boasts 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque compared to the Ascent's 260 hp and 277 lb-ft. While the Ascent offers standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), the Enclave is FWD standard but is notably larger, measuring 207.6 inches in length versus the Ascent's 196.8 inches. Fuel economy is nearly identical, with both achieving a combined 23 MPG (Buick) and 22 MPG (Subaru) on regular unleaded, but the larger Buick offers superior hauling space at 22.9 cu ft versus 17.8 cu ft. This choice boils down to whether you prioritize standard capability and lower entry cost or premium power and greater size.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave wins for commuters due to its slightly better 27 MPG highway rating and more powerful 328 hp engine for easier merging.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Buick Enclave

The Enclave offers significantly more utility with 22.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Ascent's 17.8 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Enclave

Enthusiasts will prefer the Enclave's substantial 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque over the Ascent's power figures.

💰 Best Value

2026 Subaru Ascent

The Subaru Ascent provides standard All-Wheel Drive right out of the gate for its lower starting price of $40,795.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

You need the absolute maximum passenger and cargo volume provided by its 207.6-inch length and 22.9 cu ft capacity.
You desire superior acceleration and effortless highway passing, thanks to its 328 hp output.
You prefer the traditional feel and smoother operation of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

Choose the Subaru Ascent if...

Sticking close to a $41,000 budget is a primary concern, as its MSRP is $5,405 lower than Car 1.
You live in snowy or unpaved areas where standard All-Wheel Drive is non-negotiable for traction.
You prioritize slightly better overall height at 71.6 inches in tighter parking garages.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Buick Enclave	Subaru Ascent
Length	207.6"	196.8"
Width	79.6"	76.0"
Height	71.0"	71.6"
Wheelbase	120.9"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Buick	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Third Row 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 Preparation System	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	2	2
Rear Folding Headrests	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Self-Leveling Headlights	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	328 hp @ 5500 rpm	260 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	326 lb-ft @ 3500 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	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip
Hill Descent Control	—	✓

Fuel

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	20/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	388.0/523.8 mi.	386.0/501.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	19.4 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	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	—
Leatherette Steering Wheel	✓	—
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	—
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Sun Sensor	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Infotainment Display	30.0 in	11.6 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	Bose	—
Speaker System	12	6
Subwoofer Count	1	—
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	42.6 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	42.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	62.2 in.	61.1 in.
Front Hip Room	58.7 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	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	6-way	—
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	2-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Rear Head Room	40.0 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	41.5 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	62.1 in.	60.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	58.5 in.	57.5 in.
Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Buick	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	20 in.	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P255/55R20	245/60R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody 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 2026 Buick Enclave and 2026 Subaru Ascent.

Which vehicle is better for hauling cargo on a regular basis?

The 2026 Buick Enclave is the clear winner for cargo capacity, offering 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row. This is significantly more than the 2026 Subaru Ascent's 17.8 cubic feet, making the Enclave better suited for larger grocery runs or road trip luggage.

Is the extra cost of the Buick Enclave justified by performance differences?

The Enclave costs $5,405 more but delivers substantially more power with 328 hp compared to the Ascent's 260 hp. If having an extra 68 horsepower matters to you for highway driving, Car 1 might be worth the premium.

Does the standard drivetrain difference (FWD vs. AWD) affect their MPG ratings?

No, their fuel economy is extremely close despite the drivetrain difference; both are rated for 20 MPG city and achieve similar combined scores (23 MPG for Car 1 vs. 22 MPG for Car 2), using regular unleaded fuel.

How do their physical sizes compare for city maneuvering?

The Subaru Ascent is considerably smaller overall, being nearly 11 inches shorter in length (196.8 inches vs. 207.6 inches). While the Ascent is slightly taller, its smaller footprint may make navigating tight city streets and parking easier.

Which crossover offers a more appealing transmission for a relaxed drive?

The Buick Enclave utilizes a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which many drivers prefer for its distinct shift points, while the Subaru Ascent uses a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).