The 2018 Buick Enclave hones its appeal with beautiful style, much-improved handling, and no-nonsense technology.
Pros Expressive sheet metal Spare and elegant cockpit Good third-row space Much-improved handling Still rides smoothly
Cons Base seats are cloth All-wheel drive is part-time Fuel economy still just average Best safety features not pervasive Pricey Avenir trim level is more a feature-unlock code
The Avenir name is something new entirely. It's a new sub-brand that Buick is introducing on the Enclave that adds another layer of luxury onto the standard model. It will sit above the Premium model that was previously the most feature-rich trim level offered on the Enclave. Standard features on the Enclave Avenir include a unique mesh grille, 20-inch wheels and exclusive interior colors and materials. The individual features aren't striking on their own, but taken together they do make this Enclave look a step above anything offered on its predecessor. Apart from the Avenir upgrades, the Enclave follows much the same formula as the previous model. It's a spacious three-row crossover with a standard V6 and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 302 horsepower to either the front wheels or all four wheels on all-wheel-drive models. Towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds and we expect overall mileage to improve slightly.
The fully redesigned 2018 version is hugely important as the brand’s grandest offering.Buick’s latest three-row ute succeeds in being a marked improvement over its predecessor in every meaningful way.
Pros Shapely design, tons of usable space, refined road manners, lots of available features.
Cons Prices climb quickly with options, a tight third row for three, some cheap bits still visible.
The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder has value and interior flexibility as its assets, but this crossover SUV is ripe for a redesign.
Pros Comfortable interior Active safety tech standard Strong V-6 engine Good value Calm ride
Cons Outdated infotainment Subpar outward vision Land yacht handling Light on refinement
Rear parking sensors and USB-C ports now standard on specific trim levels.Additional driver aids now standard on all but base trim level.The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder now offers USB-C ports for front and rear passengers, and features once reserved for the top trim levels trickle down through the range.
PROS V6 engine delivers strong acceleration with decent fuel economy Third-row seating is easy to access Offers robust towing capacity Automatic emergency braking and rear parking sensors are standard on every trim level
CONS Cargo capacity and small-item storage are below average Offers less roomy third-row space than some rivals The top trim's ride quality may be too firm for some drivers
The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder ranked #18 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Nissan Pathfinder has a score of 7.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 55 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Easy-to-use infotainment system Strong engine
Cons Stiff ride Dull cabin materials Uncomfortable rear seats Small cargo hold