2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder underwent a significant transformation, stepping into its fifth generation with a bolder, more rugged appearance inspired by Nissan's new era in SUV design. It featured a revamped V-motion grille, reminiscent of the first-generation Pathfinder, flanked by LED headlights and slim LED daytime running lights that emphasized its broadened silhouette. The Pathfinder offered 14 paint and color combinations, with the option for a distinct black roof that piqued down to its C-pillar, creating a robust visual appeal. The side panels and hood gave this SUV a stronger, more commanding presence, aligning it with the contemporary styling of the Kia Telluride while differentiating it from the Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2022 Buick Enclave presented a more conservative design ethos, historically characterized by softer lines and functional interiors catering to an older clientele. However, the Enclave advanced its aesthetic appeal through a mid-cycle refresh, introducing a new grille, refined front and rear fascias, and sleek head and taillamps. The Avenir trim specifically showcased unique styling elements like body-colored lower fascias and distinctive 20-inch wheels. The interior updates were equally impressive, featuring a redesigned center console with push-button gears and enhanced materials that aimed to elevate the Enclave's near-luxury status.

The Nissan Pathfinder retained its robust 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant, paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission sourced from ZF, aimed for smooth transitions through the gears. Buyers could choose between front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with the latter offering seven drive and terrain modes. The Pathfinder's towing capacity stood impressively at 6,000 pounds, supported by standard trailer sway control technology, making it a solid choice for adventurous hauls.

On the other hand, the Buick Enclave relied on a single powertrain option: a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Enclave's powertrain, though powerful, needed to manage more than 4,300 pounds of vehicle weight, plus passengers and cargo. Its ride quality was renowned, benefiting from the Avenir Technology package's premium ride suspension and continuously variable real-time chassis damping. The Enclave excelled in delivering a serene ride with minimal cabin noise, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning and active noise cancellation technology.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder aimed to offer a quieter and more flexible interior suited for family needs. Enhanced insulation, thicker glass, and acoustic laminated glass for the front-row windows provided a hushed cabin experience. It boasted numerous family-friendly features, including a rear door Intelligent Key, wide-opening doors, and the EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology for easy third-row access. The Pathfinder's cargo capacity was notable, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 45.0 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a generous 80.5 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

Conversely, the Buick Enclave emphasized spaciousness and comfort, offering excellent ingress and egress and substantial headroom, legroom, and hip room across all three rows. The third row accommodated adults comfortably, an advantage over many competitors. The Enclave's cargo space was also considerable, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an expansive 97.4 cubic feet with both rows down. This ample storage, combined with power-folding third-row seats, made the Enclave exceptionally versatile for carrying passengers and cargo alike.

Nissan equipped the Pathfinder with a comprehensive suite of modern technologies. Standard features included an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Additional amenities available on higher trims were a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay, 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, head-up display, and a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system.

The Buick Enclave also impressed with its technological offerings. Standard equipment included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging. Higher trims like the Premium and Avenir included navigation and a larger 8-inch driver information center. The Enclave's infotainment system allowed pairing up to 10 devices and maintaining two active connections simultaneously. The higher trims also offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision, enhancing the driving and passenger experience.

Safety was paramount in both the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder and 2022 Buick Enclave. The Pathfinder featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, encompassing automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning, among other systems. It included 10 airbags and an additional airbag for the Platinum trim.

Buick's Driver Confidence Plus package came standard on all Enclave trims, offering a robust suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-change alert with blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Premium trims added enhanced automatic emergency braking, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display. The Enclave earned high marks from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test. It also received a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.