2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern design, reminiscent of the compact Envista. Its sharp features included slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline, giving it a striking presence. While the side profile appeared somewhat generic, the Enclave's overall look was more refined than its predecessor, with fewer creases and a more upright profile. The standard 20-inch wheels on the base and Sport Touring trims, along with the 22-inch wheels on the Avenir trim, added to its sophisticated appearance. Inside, the Enclave offered a premium feel with a floating centre console and a large curved display, creating an airy, futuristic atmosphere. The Sport Touring trim featured perforated leatherette seats with contrast piping, enhancing the interior's upscale vibe.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested during a snowstorm, showcased its rugged capabilities with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated tires and standard all-wheel drive, it handled challenging conditions with ease. The Pathfinder's design was assertive, featuring a V-Motion grille, stacked LED lights, and a metal roof rack. Despite its adventurous look, the Pathfinder was a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and skid plates. Inside, the Rock Creek trim offered leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange logos, while higher trims featured more luxurious materials. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with heated front seats and a practical EZ Flex Seating System for easy access to the third row.

The 2025 Buick Enclave was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. Fuel efficiency was rated at 12.3 L/100 km in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.2 combined. The Enclave could tow up to 2,268 kilograms. Active Noise Cancellation was standard, reducing road and engine noise, although the engine was notably loud. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at slower speeds, but this was typical for its class.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Rock Creek trim offered 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 2,720 kilograms in higher trims. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek was 11.9 L/100 km city, 10.0 highway, and 11.1 combined. The Pathfinder featured seven drive modes and hill descent control, enhancing traction in various conditions. However, its soft suspension resulted in a floaty ride on twisty roads.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. It accommodated seven passengers with standard captain's chairs in the second row. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with additional features like heated second-row seats and ventilation available on higher trims. The Enclave provided 648 litres of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 2,761 litres with both rear rows folded. A power liftgate and tri-zone climate control added convenience.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, while smaller on paper, provided ample space for passengers and cargo. It offered 470 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,279 litres with all seats folded. The Pathfinder featured three-zone climate control and comfortable seating, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver's seat in the Rock Creek trim. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats, enhancing practicality for families.

The 2025 Buick Enclave boasted a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen, integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker system available on the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The Enclave offered multiple USB ports for charging across all rows.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder featured an older infotainment system compared to other Nissans. It had an 8-inch screen in lower trims and a 9-inch screen in higher trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay available only on the latter. A 6-speaker stereo was standard, with a 13-speaker Bose system on the Platinum trim. The Pathfinder included physical buttons for ease of use, but its tech offerings felt dated compared to competitors.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with advanced safety features, including blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. HD Surround Vision and adaptive cruise control were standard, while Super Cruise was available for hands-free driving. The Enclave had not yet been rated by safety organizations, but the 2024 model received favourable scores.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. ProPilot Assist and adaptive cruise control were standard, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.