2021 Nissan Armada vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar was a stylish addition to the Range Rover lineup, positioned between the compact Evoque and the larger Range Rover. Its design was neither too sleek nor too boxy, offering a balanced aesthetic. The Velar's low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. Despite its SUV status, the Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end and short overhangs, which also improved its off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier elements, such as larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its performance-oriented look. Inside, the Velar featured high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a luxurious, cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments than rugged terrains.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature look. The Armada's exterior updates included a new grille, fenders, bumpers, and LED lighting, giving it a modern appearance while retaining its traditional robust styling. Available in various trims, the Armada offered features like body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a range of wheel sizes. The Midnight Edition Package added dark accents for a more aggressive look. Despite its updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with design choices that detracted from its overall aesthetic. However, it provided practical features like a full-size spare tire and a high towing capacity, making it a functional choice for families.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar saw a performance boost with the introduction of the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, featuring a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, reaching a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not class-leading, with competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S offering quicker acceleration. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, though it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both with standard four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Off-road capabilities were supported by Land Rover's Terrain Response system, though the Velar lacked a low-range transfer case.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. While the Armada was heavy, it offered capable off-road performance with features like a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. The Armada's fuel economy was on the lower end for its segment, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The Armada's driving experience improved with each revision, though its handling remained typical of a large SUV. It offered a best-in-class towing capacity of 8,500 pounds when properly equipped, making it a strong choice for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a unique position in terms of size, being larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as expected, with competitors offering more legroom and headroom. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's avant-garde styling contributed to a claustrophobic interior feel, with limited visibility due to the chopped roof and tall hood. Towing capacity was respectable, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models rated at 5,511 pounds, while the base four-cylinder model could tow 5,291 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered ample space and practicality for families. Its broad interior featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were difficult to reach. First- and second-row occupants enjoyed comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain's chairs in the second row. The third row was less comfortable for adults but could accommodate them in a pinch. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. While these figures were below average for the segment, they were adequate for most buyers. The Armada's high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for shorter individuals, and small-item storage was limited.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled navigation and media, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. While the system offered high-quality graphics, its slow response times were a drawback. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering clear views and responsive performance. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Available upgrades included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and a rearview camera mirror. The Armada Platinum trim came with these features as standard. The analog tachometer and speedometer were functional, though the steering wheel lacked the sophistication of competitors.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. Land Rover's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, though it received a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety tech included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist were not available.