2025 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Buick Enclave

$36,400 · Crossover

$46,200 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder bursts onto the scene emphasizing rugged capability at an approachable starting MSRP of $36,400, making it the immediate budget champion. Conversely, the 2026 Buick Enclave counters with undeniable performance upgrades, boasting 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque, easily overpowering the Pathfinder's 284 hp and 259 lb-ft. This performance gap comes with a substantial $9,800 premium for the Enclave. While both cruisers return an identical 23 MPG combined, the larger Enclave offers significantly more utility, packing 22.9 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Pathfinder's 16.6 cu ft. The Pathfinder relies on a 9-speed automatic, whereas the Enclave utilizes an 8-speed automatic transmission. Ultimately, this showdown pits approachable practicality against premium, punchy power.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder wins for commuters due to its significantly lower $36,400 MSRP, making daily driving costs lower overall.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Buick Enclave

The 2026 Enclave is the superior family hauler, offering 22.9 cu ft of cargo capacity versus the Pathfinder's 16.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Buick Enclave

Enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Enclave for its superior output of 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The Pathfinder offers a compelling package with 284 hp for nearly $10,000 less than the Enclave.

Choose the Nissan Pathfinder if...

Your primary concern is initial purchase price, as the Pathfinder starts at $36,400.
You prefer the feel of a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
You can manage with 16.6 cu ft of cargo capacity and prioritize saving $9,800 upfront.

Choose the Buick Enclave if...

You need maximum utility, leveraging the Enclave's larger 22.9 cu ft cargo area.
You demand higher performance numbers, particularly the 328 hp output.
You are comfortable spending the extra $9,800 for superior power (326 lb-ft torque) and size (207.6 inches long).

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Nissan Pathfinder	Buick Enclave
Length	197.7"	207.6"
Width	77.9"	79.6"
Height	70.9"	71.0"
Wheelbase	114.2"	120.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	—
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	—
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	2
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	—
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	—	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	—	✓
Rear Folding Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Base Engine Displacement	3.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	V6	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	284 hp @ 6400 rpm	328 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	259 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm	326 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Number of Valves	24	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Transmission Type	9-speed shiftable automatic	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	20/27 MPG	20/27 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	23 MPG	23 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	370.0/499.5 mi.	388.0/523.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	19.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	✓	—
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	✓	✓
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Front View Camera	—	✓
Side View Camera	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	—	✓
Leatherette Steering Wheel	—	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	—	✓
Sun Sensor	—	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	—	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Infotainment Display	8.0 in	30.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	12
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	✓
Premium Speaker Brand	—	Bose
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Nissan	Buick
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Front Head Room	42.3 in.	42.6 in.
Front Leg Room	44.3 in.	44.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	60.8 in.	62.2 in.
Front Hip Room	58.3 in.	58.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Manual	Power
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	2-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	—	8-way
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power
Driver Seat Heating	—	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	—	Multi-level

Rearseats

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Rear Head Room	39.6 in.	40.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.5 in.	41.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	59.6 in.	62.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.3 in.	58.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	—
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seatback	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	18 in	20 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	255/60R18	P255/55R20
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Underbody Mounted	Underbody Mounted

Suspension

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Nissan	Buick
Basic Warranty	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside Assistance	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	1 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and 2026 Buick Enclave.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Buick Enclave than the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder?

The 2026 Buick Enclave holds a significant advantage in output, delivering 328 hp and 326 lb-ft of torque. This is noticeably more than the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque.

Do these vehicles offer any difference in fuel economy?

Surprisingly, both crossovers are rated identically for fuel consumption. Both the Pathfinder and the Enclave achieve a combined 23 MPG, with city/highway figures landing at 20/27 MPG.

What is the primary financial gap between the two models?

There is a substantial $9,800 difference in the starting MSRPs. The 2025 Pathfinder begins at $36,400, while the 2026 Enclave commands a starting price of $46,200.

Which crossover provides more space for luggage and gear?

The larger 2026 Enclave offers substantially more utility, boasting 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Pathfinder trails with 16.6 cubic feet of storage volume.

Are both vehicles running on the same type of gasoline?

Yes, both the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder and the 2026 Buick Enclave are specified to run on regular unleaded fuel, simplifying fueling decisions for owners of either vehicle.

What are the minor differences in their transmissions?

The Pathfinder uses a 9-speed shiftable automatic transmission to manage its power delivery. In contrast, the Enclave is equipped with a slightly different setup, featuring an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.