2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar 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 new grille, front 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 we tested, showcased the most luxurious features. The SUV's body-on-frame design saw changes primarily from the A-pillar forward, maintaining its characteristic underbite. The Armada's exterior was further enhanced with body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and various LED lighting options. Wheel sizes ranged from 18 to 22 inches, all wrapped in all-season tires, with upper trims offering a full-size spare tire.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded luxury and elegance, a hallmark of the Land Rover brand. Its design was a scaled-down version of the larger Range Rover, featuring a sporty yet sophisticated profile. The Velar's long wheelbase, short overhangs, and trapezoidal roof were unmistakably Range Rover. The SUV's exterior was characterized by a sloping roof, wide shoulder crease, and flush door handles, creating a streamlined appearance. Special details included taillight lenses with depth illusions and air ducts reminiscent of Bugatti's NACA ducts. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper. The interior was equally impressive, with high-quality materials and a polished black center stack. The Velar's infotainment system, Pivi Pro, offered a simplified layout and numerous features, including voice activation and advanced navigation capabilities.

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 standard with rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive was optional. Despite its weight of over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. Its ground clearance varied between 9.1 and 9.2 inches, depending on the trim. The Armada's fuel economy was on the lower end, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, while 4WD models managed 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. The SUV's towing capacity was a best-in-class 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, offering a lower center of gravity and lighter weight for improved handling. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's optional air suspension provided a plush ride and up to 10 inches of clearance. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered 340 to 395 horsepower, depending on the trim. This powertrain improved performance and reduced emissions. The Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models, lacking a locking differential and low range.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The SUV's broad interior featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were difficult to reach. The first and second-row seats provided comfort, with power-adjustable options and available captain's chairs. The third row was less comfortable for adults but suitable for short trips. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading challenging for petite individuals. Small-item storage was limited, but the center console offered ample space.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with reduced headroom and limited visibility. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 49 cubic feet with seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, with a confusing parking brake control and a bulky shifter. The Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, with a simplified layout and advanced features. The Velar's interior materials were high-quality, with a focus on aesthetics over functionality.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with navigation, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad, Bose audio system, and rearview camera mirror were available. The Armada's steering wheel offered limited control of the infotainment system, but the overall tech package was comprehensive.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was user-friendly, with a logical layout and customizable options. It included voice activation, advanced navigation, and a 360-degree camera system. The Velar also featured a heated windshield, adaptive cruise control, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo. The infotainment system was reliable, a notable improvement for Land Rover.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it received a three-star rollover rating. It came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control and a rear camera mirror.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in European NCAP tests, with a five-star rating. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.