2022 Nissan Armada vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large and imposing SUV, originally introduced as the Pathfinder Armada in 2004. It shared its roots with the Nissan Titan pickup and the international Nissan Patrol SUV. Over the years, the Armada evolved, shedding the Pathfinder name and moving production to Japan for its second generation in 2017. This generation was closely related to the Infiniti QX80 luxury SUV. The Armada's dimensions were substantial, measuring 208.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in height, and 79.9 inches in width. Its design featured sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents, giving it a luxurious appearance. The Armada was available in seven colors, with wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches, adding to its visual appeal.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, on the other hand, embraced a modernist and reductive design philosophy, focusing on clean and simple lines. While it didn't offer flashy factory options, it exuded understated luxury. The test vehicle arrived in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, creating a sophisticated look. Inside, it featured a Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e, each offering different levels of performance and luxury. The design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and excellent aerodynamics, making it a stylish and efficient choice.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel efficiency was modest, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined, while 4WD versions slightly reduced these figures. Despite its weight of 5,650 to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and comfortably carry up to eight passengers. Its suspension system provided a smooth and controlled ride, even on rough roads, making it a capable and comfortable cruiser.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic model produced 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the SE P360 delivered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid option, the Autobiography P440e, provided 434 hp and 406 lb-ft, with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. The Range Rover Sport's performance was impressive, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. It featured advanced suspension and driving modes, enhancing both on-road and off-road capabilities. However, its steering and adaptive cruise control systems had room for improvement, especially in challenging driving conditions.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed to accommodate seven to eight passengers comfortably. It featured spacious first-row bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a choice between a bench seat or captain's chairs. The third-row bench seat was roomy and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada's interior materials ranged from cloth to quilted leather, depending on the trim level. It provided ample storage space, with up to 95.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity when the second and third rows were folded. A power liftgate was available on higher trims, making loading and unloading more convenient.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its signature Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could be programmed to kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable and featured 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Range Rover Sport included thoughtful storage solutions, such as a deep bin under the center armrest and a handy contraption to secure smaller items in the cargo hold.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came equipped with NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch color touchscreen with a customizable split-screen option. It offered a range of standard tech features, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, navigation, and a rear-view monitor. The audio system varied by trim, with Bose-branded audio available on higher trims. The Armada also included multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Platinum models featured a Family Entertainment System with dual headrest monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was found to be confusing and frustrating to use. The Range Rover Sport featured impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and an Active Noise Cancellation system. It also included a wireless smartphone charging pad, although accessing it could be challenging.

The 2022 Nissan Armada prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of features. It included Nissan Safety Shield 360, which offered high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and intelligent lane intervention. The Armada was equipped with multiple airbags and a trailer brake controller on higher trims. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while controlled via a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were found to be less responsive and trustworthy, especially in challenging driving conditions.