2022 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2021 Honda Odyssey presented a familiar design with subtle updates to modernize its appearance. It featured a new grille and front bumper, standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation, and a gloss black spear with a chrome insert across the taillights. New wheel designs were introduced for the top three trims, enhancing the Odyssey's aesthetic by reducing brightwork. The Odyssey was available in five trim levels, with prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. The Elite trim, priced at $48,940, offered a luxurious interior with perforated leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and improved seating materials. The Odyssey Elite's 19-inch wheels and toned-down chrome contributed to its upscale look, making it a strong contender in the minivan segment.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large SUV with a commanding presence, measuring 208.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in height, and 79.9 inches in width. Its design included sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents. The Armada's tailgate featured a large expanse of convex glass and big taillamps. Available in seven colors, the Armada boasted deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome. Wheel options ranged from 18-inch on the S and SV models to 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum trim, which added a touch of elegance to the SUV's robust appearance. The Armada's size and design elements made it a visually striking vehicle, appealing to those seeking a bold and luxurious SUV.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This combination provided smooth and effortless power delivery, with driving modes including Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow. The Odyssey's fuel efficiency was rated at 22 mpg combined by the EPA, and it averaged 21.8 mpg during testing. However, the lack of all-wheel drive put it at a disadvantage in snowy regions. The Odyssey featured an electronic brake booster for improved brake pedal feel and response, although the brakes showed signs of fade under heavy use. The Odyssey's ride and handling were enjoyable, with well-weighted steering and expertly managed body motions, especially in the Touring and Elite trims with 19-inch wheels.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. It offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with four-wheel drive available, both utilizing a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel economy was rated at 16 mpg combined for RWD models and 15 mpg combined for 4WD versions. Despite its weight of up to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and carried up to eight passengers. The SUV's brakes, featuring 13.8-inch vented discs and advanced systems, provided reliable stopping power. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension offered a controlled and comfortable ride, even on rough roads, making it a capable and pleasant cruiser.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered a well-designed interior with legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The driver's seat was comfortable with 12-way power adjustment, while the Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. The Odyssey's Magic Slide second-row seat layout provided versatile seating configurations, and the third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 144.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, removing the second-row seats for maximum cargo volume was cumbersome.

The 2022 Nissan Armada's spacious interior accommodated seven to eight passengers with comfort and style. The first row featured power-adjustable bucket seats, while the second row offered a fold-flat bench 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 in the Platinum trim, providing a luxurious feel. With up to 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space, the Armada was well-suited for transporting large items. A power liftgate was standard on higher trims, aiding accessibility for shorter users.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other connectivity options starting from the EX trim. Touring and Elite trims added navigation, WiFi capability, and a rear-seat entertainment system. HondaLink subscription services offered additional features like remote operation and concierge services. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were drawbacks. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch screen and streaming apps, though it was not a touchscreen.

The 2022 Nissan Armada boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen with NissanConnect technology, offering a customizable split-screen option. Standard features included a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging, and navigation. The audio system varied by trim, with Bose audio available on higher trims. The Armada supported wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, with multiple USB ports for connectivity. Platinum models featured a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors, providing entertainment options for passengers.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, as standard on all trims. It included adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, pedestrian braking, and road-sign recognition. The Odyssey's safety ratings were impressive, with top scores from the NHTSA and expected high ratings from the IIHS. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning systems could be smoother in operation.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering a comprehensive set of safety and driver-assistance features. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Armada also had dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags, and curtain airbags for all three rows. Trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller were available on higher trims. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the 2022 Armada.