The initial reviews of the "new" Outback have not been very good..even with the the turbo engine. Even with the turbo, the car "feels" slow to most reviewers. The cvt is one of the better cvts..but still very meh. The whole driving experience with the outback is meh(even the turbo).
Unless you really need the off road ability...the buick is just simply a better more comfortable ride. I have driven several times in snow and have no complaints about the awd system. The ground clearance could be an issue if you deal with deep snow often...but its rare for me...even in upstate NY.
IMO...don't even think about the non-turbo Outback. Its so very, very slow. I would feel unsafe in it.
I owned a Forester and didn't feel the Subaru love. Great in snow, but otherwise no soul at all. Very boring...