2020 Acura MDX vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Acura MDX was a good-looking crossover SUV with few groundbreaking or breathtaking styling elements. It didn't garner much attention in parking lots or command preferential treatment at the valet but aimed to blend in gracefully. The MDX featured Acura's Jewel Eye LED headlights, which not only added functionality but also an upscale appearance to the front end. These LED headlights, incorporating five LED elements per side, were housed horizontally and flanked a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo at its center. The exterior design boasted sleek lines, a fast roofline, and flawless paint and chrome, all contributing to a pleasantly refined look.

Inside, the interior was modern and straightforward, avoiding the excessive padding and stitching prevalent in luxury vehicles at the time. The center stack was notable, featuring twin infotainment screens: an 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation above an On Demand Multi-Use Display touchscreen. Superior material selection and fit and finish gave the MDX a solid, well-built feel, with knobs and switches actuating with authority.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, by contrast, underwent a significant facelift with a more modern exterior that aligned with Nissan's new signature design. Available in four grades—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—the Armada featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights. Despite its updates, it maintained traditional beefy and athletic body styling. The exterior showcased body-color over-fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and side windows as standard. LED low-beam/high-beam headlights with auto on/off, LED daytime running lights, and power-adjustable and folding side mirrors were among the standard features.

Depending on the trim, the Armada rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, coming standard with all-season tires. The new Nissan logo was prominently placed on the grille, rear, steering wheel, and wheel caps. However, despite its modern touches, the rear design retained an aged underbite, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive redesign. The available Midnight Edition Package added dark accents, including black exterior logos and painted elements, enhancing the SUV’s aesthetic appeal.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrain choices. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Buyers had the option of front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. Additionally, the MDX Sport Hybrid combined a 3.0-liter V6 with three electric motors, generating a combined 321 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Driving the gasoline-only model with SH-AWD, the MDX displayed impressive straight-line performance with eager acceleration. Equipped with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the MDX handled corners and curves with surprising agility, directing power to the outside wheel to sharpen turn-in and improve handling. The four-wheel independent suspension provided a comfortable ride, absorbing road imperfections well.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when using premium fuel. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Standard rear-wheel drive and available automatic four-wheel drive made the Armada a capable off-roader despite its hefty weight, which topped over 6,000 pounds. It featured a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers, and notable ground clearance, enhancing its rugged capabilities.

However, the Armada's fuel economy was a drawback, with RWD models achieving an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. The 4WD versions fared slightly worse. Handling improved with each revision, making highway driving less cumbersome, though the large SUV still had a wide turning radius and required careful maneuvering in tight spots. Equipped with trailer sway control and capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds, the Armada excelled in towing capacity.

The 2020 Acura MDX, a three-row SUV aimed at families, featured sliding and reclining second-row seats for easier access to the third row. This configuration allowed adaptable legroom distribution. The MDX provided 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat. With both the second and third rows down, cargo capacity reached 90.9 cubic feet. Additional storage solutions included a recessed cubby hole, underfloor storage, and a variety of compartments and cupholders throughout the cabin. Tri-zone climate control provided customizable comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, a full-size SUV, necessitated hopping in and out, facilitated by standard running boards and in-cabin handles. The broad dashboard housed a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, though climate control dials and knobs were a reach for occupants. The Armada's seats in the first and second rows offered power adjustments and lumbar support, enhancing comfort. Captain's chairs in the second row were available in higher trims, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven but improving comfort.

Cargo space behind the third row was 16.5 cubic feet, slightly more than the MDX. With the third row folded, it increased to 49.9 cubic feet, and maxed out at 95.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded, surpassing the MDX. A power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats were optional. The Armada's high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for shorter individuals and children, and small-item storage was limited, especially for drivers preferring to see their smartphones while driving.

Acura took a streamlined approach to the MDX's trim levels, packaging most technology features together. The base model included Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, USB ports, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and an upgraded 10-speaker audio system. The Advance Package included an Active Damper System suspension, LED fog lights, additional heated features, a surround-view camera, and more. The optional Entertainment Package provided a rear entertainment system with wireless headphones and HDMI compatibility.

Nissan enhanced the Armada's tech with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen, the largest in its class, which was responsive and offered clear views from the camera system. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, NissanConnect Services, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Additional options included a wireless charging pad, 13-speaker Bose audio system, rearview camera mirror, and second-row entertainment system. The Platinum trim incorporated these extras as standard.

The 2020 Acura MDX came equipped with AcuraWatch, a suite of advanced safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Advance Package included a Head-Up Warning. The MDX also featured a rearview camera, with an upgrade to the surround-view system available, various airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, and a theft-deterrent system. Its body structure was designed to absorb crash impact effectively. The MDX received high ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, affirming its safety credentials.

The 2021 Nissan Armada's safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, encompassing automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. However, the lane departure warning could be overly sensitive, and the automatic high beams were slow to activate. Additional safety technologies included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and rear door alert. While the Armada had a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, comprehensive ratings were not available. Advanced driving assist features from Nissan's other models were absent from the Armada.