2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional robust and athletic styling. The SUV featured a redesigned grille, fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look akin to the Nissan Kicks, Rogue, and Pathfinder. The Armada was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL. The Platinum trim, which was tested, showcased body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield, among other features. The SUV's new logo was prominently displayed, and the Midnight Edition Package added dark accents for a sleek appearance. However, the interior, despite tech upgrades, felt dated due to design choices like rouched materials and abstract patterned inlays.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey, while adhering to the classic minivan design, offered a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch wheels. The Odyssey was available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite trims, with prices ranging from $33,040 to $48,770. The interior boasted quality materials and a classic open-concept design with ample storage. The Odyssey's sliding doors and comfortable third-row seating made it a practical choice for families. The Magic Slide second-row seats added versatility, allowing for easy access and configuration. The Odyssey's design focused on functionality and comfort, making it a family-friendly vehicle with a touch of style.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It came with a seven-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with 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. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, best in its class. However, its fuel economy was low, with RWD models getting 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, and 4WD models getting 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. The Armada's handling improved over the years, but its size made maneuvering challenging.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was front-wheel drive only, lacking the AWD and hybrid options available in competitors like the Chrysler Pacifica and Toyota Sienna. The Odyssey had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg combined. It was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, the brakes tended to overheat on long descents, causing pedal vibration. Despite this, the Odyssey remained a delightful vehicle to drive, offering a balance of performance and practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality with its full-size SUV design. It featured a spacious interior with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its placement made some controls hard to reach. The first and second rows provided comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain's chairs in higher trims. The third row was less comfortable for adults due to limited legroom. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading challenging, and small-item storage was limited.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey excelled in interior space and functionality. It offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a low ride height. The Elite trim featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The Odyssey's interior was designed for family use, with ample storage and a tri-zone climate control system. The Magic Slide second-row seats provided versatility, and the third row was comfortable for adults. Cargo space was generous, with 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 144.9 cubic feet with seats removed. The Odyssey's design prioritized comfort and practicality, making it an ideal choice for families.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay. It also offered a WiFi hotspot, USB ports, and a six-speaker stereo system. Higher trims included a 13-speaker Bose audio system, rearview camera mirror, and second-row entertainment system. The Armada's tech package was comprehensive, though the steering wheel controls were basic.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey's technology package was less impressive. It included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but navigation and WiFi were only available in higher trims. The Touring and Elite trims featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems, along with a rear-seat entertainment system. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, and the navigation system was cumbersome. The Odyssey's tech offerings needed an upgrade to compete with rivals.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. It also had adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rollover rating due to a 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was equipped with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also had automatic high beams and a rear-seat reminder. However, Honda Sensing lacked refinement, with some features responding too sharply. The Odyssey received a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, highlighting its strong safety credentials.