Compare the2025 Nissan PathfinderVS 2025 Buick Enclave

The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn’t offer knee airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Pathfinder 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Pathfinder and the Enclave 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Nissan Pathfinder has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 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 a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Enclave has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

The Pathfinder’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Pathfinder for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Buick doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Enclave.

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better mileage than the Enclave:

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Enclave.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

The Pathfinder’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Enclave are solid, not vented.

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Enclave doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Pathfinder’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Enclave’s (38.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Pathfinder’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels’ (38.7 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pathfinder has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (7.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Pathfinder to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pathfinder Rock Creek’s minimum ground clearance is .9 inch higher than on the Enclave (7.7 vs. 6.8 inches).

The Nissan Pathfinder may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Buick Enclave.

The Pathfinder is 9.9 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Pathfinder easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder’s middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave’s third row seats don’t recline.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pathfinder. The Enclave doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Pathfinder’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Enclave’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is only 5000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Pathfinder’s front and rear power windows all open or close 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 Enclave’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The Pathfinder’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Enclave’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Buick Enclave by 82% during 2023.