2022 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and the introduction of the 2020 Black Edition, the SUV's exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000, except on the Elite and Black Edition trims where it was standard. The new Special Edition trim added black 20-inch alloy wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, wireless smartphone charging, and a hands-free power tailgate. The Black Edition featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents and ambient lighting, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean, especially for pet owners. The interior quality was high, but the design felt more like a minivan, which, combined with its exterior, did not enhance its appeal.

The 2022 Nissan Armada, a cousin to the Infiniti QX80, 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, it offered a minimum ground clearance of 9.1-9.2 inches and a step-in height of nearly two feet. The Armada's exterior featured sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents, including sharp-looking vents on the front fenders. The tailgate had a large expanse of convex glass and big taillamps. Available in seven colors, the Armada's finish was luxurious, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 inches on the S and SV models to 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum trim, which complemented the SUV's large frame.

The 2021 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth and refined power delivery, making the SUV quick to accelerate. A nine-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system available. The Pilot featured Hill Start Assist and Intelligent Traction Management with Normal, Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. Fuel-saving technologies included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for AWD models. The test vehicle averaged 21.5 mpg. The Pilot's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension offered a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, aided by the torque-vectoring AWD system and 20-inch wheels on the Black Edition. However, its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available, both paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. RWD models had an EPA rating of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined, while 4WD versions were rated at 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined. Despite its weight of 5,650 to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds. The SUV's 13.8-inch vented disc brakes with hydraulic brake assist and electronic brake force distribution provided strong stopping power. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension, with double wishbone front and rear and twin-tube Hitachi shock absorbers, delivered a controlled and comfortable ride. The 4WD Platinum model's 22-inch wheels handled rutted roads well, and the SUV's tall ground clearance and ample torque made off-roading tempting.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats were comfortable, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the front passenger. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on the Touring trim and standard on Elite and Black Edition models, providing nearly the same comfort as the front seats. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults due to a low and flat bottom cushion. Storage was abundant, with compartments in the door panels, center console, and front seatback pockets. The EX-L trim and higher included a power tailgate, with hands-free operation on higher trims. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 83.9 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Nissan Armada's size allowed it to transport seven to eight people comfortably. The first row featured bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way for the front passenger, both with power lumbar support. The second row offered a 60/40-split bench seat or optional captain's chairs with a removable center console on SL and Platinum trims. The third-row 60/40 split bench seat could accommodate three passengers and offered power folding and reclining functions. Base S models had cloth seats, while SV models featured durable "Prima-Tex" cloth. SL models had leather-trimmed seats, and Platinum models boasted quilted leather. The Armada had nine cupholders, four bottle holders, and numerous storage cubbies. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both rear rows down. A power liftgate was standard on SL and Platinum models.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, satellite radio, and basic HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, a 10-speaker premium audio system, and more. The system was adequate but had a small screen and lacked a tuning knob. Voice-recognition technology required specific prompts, and HondaLink services were limited to higher trims. The Touring trim also added a rear-seat entertainment system with a 115-volt power outlet, an HDMI port, and a Cabin Talk feature, allowing the driver to speak to rear-seat passengers through the stereo speakers or headphones.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with standard NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch color touchscreen in a horizontal orientation. The wide-screen format allowed for a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a WiFi hotspot, wireless device charging (except on S models), NissanConnect telematics services with a five-year complimentary trial, navigation, hands-free text messaging, a rear-view monitor, satellite radio capability, and a proximity key with push-button start. The base S trim had a four-speaker audio system, while the SV added two more speakers. SL and Platinum models featured a Bose audio system with 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. All models had USB-A and USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and steering wheel audio controls. Platinum models included a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors, wireless headphones, and HDMI input.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Starting with the EX trim, the Pilot also had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The older version of Honda Sensing worked but lacked smoothness and refinement. The lane-departure warning system's steering wheel wobble was also noticeable. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and "good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), except for an "acceptable" score for front passenger small overlap frontal-impact protection.

The 2022 Nissan Armada included a comprehensive list of standard passive and active safety features. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 package featured high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other active safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, and rear-door alert. An available intelligent rear-view mirror provided a high-resolution camera view on an LCD monitor. The Armada had dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags for all three rows. A trailer brake controller was standard on SV, SL, and Platinum models, while trailer sway control was standard on SL and Platinum. The IIHS and NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the 2022 Armada.