2020 Honda Pilot vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Honda Pilot shared the dynamic styling characteristic of the Honda lineup, featuring thin LED headlights and a multi-tiered grille. The subtle uptick in the belt-line around the rear side windows masked the size of the Pilot, making it appear more svelte than it actually was. Inside, the Pilot boasted a modern cabin with a semi-digital instrument panel, combining analog fuel and engine-temperature gauges with a digital screen for other information. The cabin felt comfortable and spacious, though it used hard plastics in many areas, which detracted from its refinement compared to rivals like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. The Pilot was available in several trims, from the base LX to the range-topping Black Edition, each adding more features and luxury.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its looks with the new signature exterior design of the Nissan brand. The redesigned exterior included a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights, giving it a modern yet beefy and athletic appearance. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum grades, with the Midnight Edition Package offered on the SL. The Platinum trim featured body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and front side windows. Depending on the trim, the Armada rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch wheels, all aluminum alloy. Despite its updates, the Armada's interior remained dated, with some design choices making it appear past its prime.

The 2020 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to the front wheels or available all-wheel drive through a 6-speed automatic transmission on the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition received a 9-speed automatic transmission. The V6 provided stout acceleration, making it easy to move from a standstill or pass on the highway. The Pilot's ride was refined and comfortable, designed for easy commutes and relaxing road trips, though it lacked athleticism. The Intelligent Traction Management System offered drive modes for various conditions, enhancing its capability slightly in challenging terrains.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada came standard with rear-wheel drive, with automatic four-wheel drive available. Despite its weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. However, its fuel economy was low, with RWD models getting an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The Armada's handling improved with each revision, but it still felt like a big SUV, with a large turning radius and challenging maneuverability in tight spaces. It had a best-in-class towing capacity of 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2020 Honda Pilot offered a spacious 8-passenger cabin with second-row bench seating, while the Touring, Elite, and Black Edition trims featured second-row captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. The Pilot's third row was adult-friendly, and EX trims and higher provided one-touch fold-down rear seats for easier access. With the second and third rows folded, the Pilot offered 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than some rivals but more than the Mazda CX-9. Higher trims included a power liftgate and hands-free power tailgate. The Pilot was designed for family hauling, with plenty of spaces for toys and gear, and a conversation mirror to keep an eye on kids.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as Nissan’s flagship, offered practicality and functionality for families. It featured standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy entry and exit. The Armada's broad interior included a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were a stretch to reach. Front seats were power-adjustable, with captain’s chairs available in the second row on higher trims, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven. The third row was less comfortable for adults but usable in a pinch. The Armada provided 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. However, the high load floor made loading and unloading challenging. Small-item storage was limited, though the center console storage bin was spacious.

The 2020 Honda Pilot's LX trim featured a 5-inch color LCD screen with a 215-watt, 7-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB port. Higher trims included an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the system's layout was confusing. Additional features on higher trims included HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Cabin Control Remote Capability. Navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a premium audio system were available on higher trims, with the Elite and Black Edition also offering a wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay as standard. Available features included a wireless charging pad, 13-speaker Bose audio system, rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The Platinum trim included all these features as standard. The Armada's steering wheel allowed limited control of the driver information screen and some infotainment functions, though it was less sophisticated than those in other SUVs.

The 2020 Honda Pilot came standard with the HondaSensing suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured front and side-impact airbags, child-seat anchors, Vehicle Stability Assist, and traction control. Optional safety equipment included front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Pilot earned a five-star overall crash test rating from the NHTSA and the best crash test score of Good from the IIHS, with a Superior rating in crash prevention technology.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS and NHTSA, though it received a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The Armada came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Optional features included a rear camera mirror and surround-view camera system. However, the Armada did not offer advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist.