The Nissan Pathfinder has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Enclave doesn't offer knee airbags.

With its standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, the Nissan Pathfinder is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Buick Enclave, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Pathfinder 4WD's standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Enclave doesn't offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Pathfinder and the Enclave have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the Buick Enclave:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Pathfinder is safer than the Buick Enclave:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Pathfinder is 1.9% to 3% less likely to roll over than the Enclave.

The Pathfinder's corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Enclave's (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

There are over 15 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Buick dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Pathfinder's warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Pathfinder third among upper midsize SUVs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Enclave isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Buick vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Buick is ranked 9th.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Pathfinder (base engine) is faster than the Buick Enclave:

On the EPA test cycle the Pathfinder gets better mileage than the Enclave:

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Pathfinder, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Enclave.

For better stopping power the Pathfinder's brake rotors are larger than those on the Enclave:

The Pathfinder has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle's integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Enclave doesn't offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Pathfinder's turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Enclave's (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet). The Pathfinder's turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the Enclave w/22” wheels' (37.4 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Pathfinder has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Enclave (7.1 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Pathfinder to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Pathfinder Rock Creek's minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the Enclave Avenir (7.7 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Pathfinder is 9.9 inches shorter than the Enclave, making the Pathfinder easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Pathfinder has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Enclave can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Pathfinder's middle and third row seats recline. The Enclave's third row seats don't recline.

The Pathfinder has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Enclave doesn't offer seats that fold into the floor.

A standard locking glovebox (which can't be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Pathfinder. The Enclave doesn't offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Buick Enclave is limited to 5000 pounds. The Pathfinder offers up to a 6000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Pathfinder's front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Enclave's passenger windows don't close automatically.

The Pathfinder's standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn't have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Enclave's standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Pathfinder to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Enclave doesn't offer rear side window sunshades.

The Nissan Pathfinder has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the infotainment. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Buick charges extra for Homelink® on the Enclave.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder retains 44.19% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 41.48% resale value of the 2025 Buick Enclave after five years, which can save the Nissan's owner up to $6076 in depreciation.

The Nissan Pathfinder outsold the Buick Enclave by almost three to one during 2025.