2022 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Buick Enclave harkened back to the brand's glory days with its big, shiny, and impressive design. After a period of struggle, Buick found its footing by offering globally-sourced and rebadged GM vehicles. The Enclave, the largest of Buick's four SUVs, stood out with its American-made build and premium looks. The Avenir trim, in particular, added a unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels, enhancing its presence. Inside, the Enclave Avenir featured a minimalist design with organic forms, polished accents, and soft leather, though the wood trim was not genuine. The electronic transmission shifter was a bit fussy but manageable.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder embraced a new era of design with cues from the Rogue and Armada. Its V-motion grille, LED headlights, and slim daytime running lights gave it a modern look, while the bulky C-pillar paid homage to the original Pathfinder. The SUV's side panels and hood provided a beefier appearance, aligning with the design trends of competitors like the Kia Telluride. The Pathfinder's wider track and increased height contributed to its planted look. Available in 14 paint jobs and color combinations, including a black roof option, the Pathfinder aimed to position itself as a more capable and rugged vehicle.

Under the hood, the 2021 Buick Enclave featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Enclave offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. The V6's low torque peak provided strong acceleration, and the nine-speed automatic ensured smooth shifts. The Enclave's suspension, especially with the Avenir Technology Package, delivered a comfortable ride across various driving conditions. The EPA rated the Enclave at 21 mpg combined, and it could travel up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, generating 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The new nine-speed automatic transmission, sourced from ZF, replaced the old continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Pathfinder offered FWD and AWD configurations, with the latter featuring seven drive and terrain modes. The SUV's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined for both FWD and AWD models, with slight variations depending on the trim. The Pathfinder's suspension provided a stable ride, and its tight turning radius made it easy to maneuver. With a 6,000-pound towing capacity, the Pathfinder was well-suited for hauling.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six to seven passengers. Its cabin was designed for comfort and quietness, with features like Active Noise Cancellation and laminated windshield glass. The Avenir trim included power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats with a massaging function. The Enclave's third-row seat was spacious, and the SUV provided 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind it, expanding to 97.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder focused on interior comfort and flexibility. Enhanced insulation and acoustic laminated glass reduced road noise. The SUV's design allowed for easy loading and unloading, with wide-opening doors and the ability to fit up to five car seats. The EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology made accessing the third row simple. The Pathfinder offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. The front and second-row seats were spacious and comfortable, with heated and ventilated options available.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in some areas. It featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, and a surround-view camera. However, the Enclave lacked smart home digital assistant integration and high-end audio components. The rear camera mirror was a neat feature, providing a live video view of what's behind the SUV.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came loaded with technology that was user-friendly and effective. Standard features included a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. Upper trims offered a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, head-up display, 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system, 9-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and NissanConnect Services. The Pathfinder's tech offerings were comprehensive and accessible across various trim levels.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety features were somewhat limited, with advanced systems reserved for higher trims. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking were available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but missed out on a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS due to its headlight performance.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard features included a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, and forward-collision warning. Upper trims offered a surround-view monitor and an extra airbag. The Pathfinder's comprehensive safety suite provided robust protection, though it had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.