Buick Encore vs Subaru Outback
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Outback
Overview
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | Preferred | Premium |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 6-speed shiftable automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2022 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $24,600 (best) | $34,995 |
| Lowest listing price | $5,999 (best) | $7,995 |
| Median listing price | $15,788 (best) | $42,338 |
| Highest listing price | $20,497 (best) | $53,175 |
| For sale now | 15 | 160 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 27 MPG | 28 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 24 MPG | 26 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 32 MPG | 32 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14 gal | 18 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 155 hp | 180 hp (best) |
| Torque | 177 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.4 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 5 (best) | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 48.4 cu ft | 80.5 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | 1,018 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,237 lbs (best) | 3,741 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 6.2 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 100.6 in | 108.1 in (best) |
| Length | 168.4 in | 191.7 in (best) |
| Width | 70.1 in | 74 in (best) |
| Height | 65.3 in | 67.5 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Buick EncorePreferred | Subaru OutbackPremium |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ (best) | Not Rated |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported | None reported |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Buick Encore | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preferred $24,600 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Premium $34,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | Preferred $25,220 MSRP | Limited $41,715 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Limited XT $44,365 MSRP |
| 4 | — | Wilderness $44,995 MSRP |
| 5 | — | Touring $45,395 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Touring XT $47,995 MSRP |
Live inventory
Buick Encore15 for sale
See all
Used2022 Buick Encore
Preferred
Quicksilver Metallic•ebony32,043 mi$20,497Peachtree Mitsubishi
Atlanta, GA
Used2019 Buick Encore
Preferred
Coppertino Metallic•Shale/Ebony Accents59,385 mi$15,269Findlay Toyota Prescott
Prescott, AZ
Used2021 Buick Encore
Preferred
Black•Afn Ebony22,429 mi$16,932Coconut Creek Mazda
Coconut Creek, FL
Used2019 Buick Encore
Preferred
Ebony, Cloth With Leatherette Seat Trim45,118 mi$15,788Best Chevrolet
Hingham, MA
Used2016 Buick Encore
Premium
Graphite Gray Metallic•titanium98,303 mi$12,120McCarthy Hyundai Blue Springs
Blue Springs, MO
Used2018 Buick Encore
Essence
Graphite Gray Metallic•ebony71,831 mi$12,993Economy Auto Outlet
Massillon, OH
Subaru Outback160 for sale
See all
Used2013 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Satin White Pearl•Saddle Brown146,791 mi$8,990Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Crystal White Pearl•Warm Ivory13,467 mi$30,686Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2023 Subaru Outback
Limited XT
Autumn Green Metallic•Warm Ivory74,887 mi$24,386Classic Kia Smithfield
Smithfield, NC
Used2025 Subaru Outback
Premium
White•Black2,572 mi$30,096Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2024 Subaru Outback
Wilderness
Crystal Black Silica•gray35,213 mi$31,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2016 Subaru Outback
2.5i
Ice Silver Metallic•Black85,540 mi$15,531Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Buick Encore vs Subaru Outback FAQ
- Which is better: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2022 Buick Encore vs 2026 Subaru Outback on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2022 Buick Encore starts lower at $24,600. Live Buick Encore listings start at $5,999. Live Subaru Outback listings start at $7,995.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2022 Buick Encore leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (24,600).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (28).
- Which has better horsepower: 2022 Buick Encore or 2026 Subaru Outback?
- The 2026 Subaru Outback leads on horsepower in this comparison (260).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2022 Buick Encore vs 2026 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Buick Encore (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Outback (Not Rated/5 NHTSA overall).