2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior design with the new signature look of the Nissan brand. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional beefy and athletic body styling, featuring a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights. The SUV was available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, with the Platinum offering captain’s chairs as an option. The Armada's exterior updates included body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a power sliding sunroof, among other features. However, the interior, despite tech upgrades, appeared dated, with design choices that seemed past their prime.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX maintained a design reminiscent of its first-generation model, with the signature spindle grille and LED headlights being the most modern elements. The cabin, however, was crafted with the quality and refinement Lexus is known for, offering a quiet ride with minimal engine noise. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Executive trims, with the Black Line Special Edition based on the Premium trim. Despite its dated design, the GX's interior was comfortable, with physical controls and a focus on quality materials, though some switchgear was considered old-school.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. It featured automatic 4WD and was capable off-road, with a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 cm of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with estimates of 17.5 L/100 km in the city and 12.9 on the highway. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 3,856 kg.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its 4.6-litre V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The GX's fuel consumption was estimated at 14.5 L/100 km combined, with a towing capacity of 2,948 kg. The GX featured a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, enhancing stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX offered a refined driving experience, though its steering and brake pedal were noted as less appealing.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality with its broad interior, featuring a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. The first and second-row seats provided comfort, with power-adjustable options. The Platinum trim offered captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with seats folded. However, the high load floor and limited small-item storage were drawbacks.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat. The interior featured comfortable seating and physical controls, though some were outdated. The GX's third-row seat was challenging to access and limited cargo space, with a total of 1,833 litres available with seats folded. The side-opening tailgate added to the loading challenges.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering navigation, a Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The system was responsive, with a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment available on the Platinum trim. The steering wheel controls were functional but lacked sophistication.

The 2022 Lexus GX introduced a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the outdated touchpad. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player, with a dual-screen view for navigation and radio. The GX also offered Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view cameras, though some stereo controls were awkwardly placed.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by safety organizations, receiving a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. It came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot warning. However, advanced driving assist technologies were not available.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings but included Lexus Safety System+, with adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and Safety Connect services. The absence of some modern safety technologies might appeal to those preferring fewer driving aids.