Compare the2026 Buick EnclaveVS 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Buick Enclave achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mitsubishi Outlander has not been tested.

The Buick Enclave’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mitsubishi Outlander does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Enclave and Outlander have Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Enclave has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Outlander’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Enclave and the Outlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, front parking sensors and driver alert monitors.

The Buick Enclave weighs 546 to 963 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Outlander. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Enclave is much safer than the Outlander:

	Enclave	Outlander
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	202/247 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	67/90 pounds	202/247 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Chest Rating
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

The Buick Enclave has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Outlander is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Buick dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Enclave’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Enclave has a standard 220-amp alternator. The Outlander’s 120-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Enclave has a standard 730-amp battery. The Outlander’s 720-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick above average in initial quality. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Buick vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Buick second in reliability, above the industry average. With 113 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 30th.

Engine

The Enclave’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 154 more horsepower (328 vs. 174) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 206) than the Outlander’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Enclave FWD’s standard fuel tank has 4.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (19.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Enclave AWD’s standard fuel tank has 7.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Outlander (21.7 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Enclave has larger standard tires than the Outlander (255/55R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Enclave’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander (275/45R22 vs. 255/45R20).

The Enclave’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Outlander ES/Trail’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Enclave has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Outlander ES/Trail. The Enclave’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Outlander SE/SEL.

The Buick Enclave’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Outlander only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Enclave has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Outlander; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The Enclave offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Outlander’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Enclave’s wheelbase is 14.4 inches longer than on the Outlander (120.9 inches vs. 106.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Enclave is 4.6 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Outlander.

Chassis

The Enclave uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Outlander doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Enclave has 2 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 4.7 inches more front hip room, 4.3 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 5.2 inches more rear hip room, 6.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row headroom, 13.4 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 6.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the Outlander.

Cargo Capacity

The Enclave’s cargo area provides more volume than the Outlander.

	Enclave	Outlander
Behind Third Seat	22.9 cubic feet	10.9 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.1 cubic feet	30.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.5 cubic feet	64.3 cubic feet

Both the Enclave and the Outlander offer second row automatic folding seats. The Enclave’s optional third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The Outlander doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

Towing

The Enclave’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Outlander’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Enclave uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Outlander uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Buick service is better than Mitsubishi. J.D. Power ranks Buick 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Mitsubishi is ranked 19th.

Ergonomics

The Enclave’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Outlander does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Enclave and the Outlander have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Enclave is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Outlander prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Enclave’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Outlander’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Enclave’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Outlander can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Enclave’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Outlander only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Enclave’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Outlander’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Enclave Avenir has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Outlander doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Enclave’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mitsubishi only offers heated mirrors on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Enclave’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Outlander has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Buick Enclave has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Enclave has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail.

The Enclave Avenir has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Outlander.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Buick Enclave has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Outlander SE/SEL/Trail offers wireless charging.

The Enclave offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Outlander doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Enclave’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Outlander doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Buick Enclave and the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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