2023 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2022 Buick Enclave

The 2022 Buick Enclave was a testament to Buick's evolution from its traditionally conservative styling to a more modern and upscale design. Historically, Buick's designs were characterized by softer lines and functional interiors, catering to an older demographic focused on comfort. However, the Enclave marked a shift towards a more luxurious appeal, especially with its 2018 redesign. The 2022 model featured a mid-cycle refresh with exterior enhancements like a new grille and updated fascias, while the Avenir trim boasted unique styling elements and 20-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave offered a restyled center console, upgraded materials, and comfort features like heated, cooled, and massaging seats, particularly in the Avenir trim, which also included standard climate-controlled front seats and heated second-row captain's chairs.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, redesigned for the 2022 model year, carried its modern aesthetic into 2023 with minimal changes. Its design combined futuristic elements with traditional SUV features, resulting in a look that was both forward-thinking and timeless. The interior was praised for its clean lines and practical layout, making it both visually appealing and user-friendly. The Pathfinder's trims ranged from the base S to the top-tier Platinum, with the Rock Creek trim offering a rugged, off-road-oriented design. The cabin featured a dark aesthetic with orange stitching, and the Rock Creek's water-repellent interior was both durable and stylish. The Pathfinder's design was complemented by practical features like a heavy-duty roof cargo rack and a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

The 2022 Buick Enclave was powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available across all trims. The Enclave's towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. Known for its quiet and smooth ride, the Enclave excelled in providing a premium driving experience, enhanced by the Avenir Technology package, which included a premium ride suspension and real-time chassis damping. Despite its size, the Enclave's powertrain was responsive, and the nine-speed transmission performed seamlessly, delivering a surprisingly engaging driving experience.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque, while the Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. The Pathfinder's power was managed by a 9-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. The Rock Creek trim emphasized off-road capability with a taller suspension and off-road shocks, though this resulted in a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, and the vehicle's rotary drive mode dial offered various settings for different driving conditions. The Pathfinder's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 6,000 pounds.

The 2022 Buick Enclave offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with easy ingress and egress and excellent visibility. Standard features included an eight-way power driver seat and six-way power front passenger seat, both heated and with power lumbar control. The Enclave's cabin was roomy, accommodating six adults comfortably across its three rows. The second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row, and the seats could flip and fold for added versatility. The Enclave provided ample cargo space, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The center console featured push-button transmission gears, and the vehicle offered power-folding third-row seats for convenience.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. With the second row in use, it offered 45 cubic feet, and 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The optional second-row captain's chairs allowed easy access to the third row, and the cabin featured numerous cupholders and storage compartments. The Rock Creek trim's roof rack was practical for carrying cargo, though its proximity to the roof could pose challenges in snowy conditions. The Pathfinder's windshield wipers could fold outward, aiding in snow removal.

The 2022 Buick Enclave featured a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless phone charging. Premium and Avenir trims added navigation and a larger driver information center. The Enclave's infotainment system could pair up to 10 devices, with a built-in WiFi hotspot supporting up to four devices. The Premium and Avenir trims offered a 10-speaker Bose audio system, though some users desired more power. The Enclave included six USB ports and standard safety features like a following-distance indicator and HD rear vision camera. Notable available features included adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and HD surround vision.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum trims featuring a 9-inch system. The infotainment was user-friendly, though some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, and additional USB ports. The Platinum trim included a second third-row USB port. While not the most cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech features were practical and kept devices charged and connected.

The 2022 Buick Enclave came standard with the Buick Driver Confidence Plus package, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-change alert, and more. Premium trim added enhanced automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera. The Enclave received a four-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA and "Good" ratings in most IIHS crash tests, with an "Acceptable" score in the updated side-impact test.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder included standard driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim offered front parking sensors, a 360-degree monitor, and traffic-sign recognition. The Platinum trim added rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder's off-road mode provided front- and side-view cameras for obstacle monitoring.