2022 Lexus NX vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior design with the new signature look of the Nissan brand. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional beefy and athletic body styling, which was evident in its new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights. The SUV was available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL. The highest Platinum trim featured a modernized exterior with body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and various LED lighting options. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with design choices that seemed past their prime, despite upgraded tech features.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus NX presented a more refined and minimalist design, with a focus on simplicity and attention to detail. The NX was longer, wider, and taller than its predecessor, offering more passenger and cargo space. The interior was comfortable, especially with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The F Sport trim added sport-bolstered seats and a unique steering wheel, while the Luxury trim featured real leather and open-pore wood trim. The NX's design was unmistakably Lexus, with a prominent spindle grille and new block lettering on the tailgate, creating a modern and sophisticated look.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust Endurance 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It came standard with rear-wheel drive, with an option for automatic four-wheel drive. Despite its hefty 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. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrains, including the turbocharged NX 350 with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The NX 350 F Sport added adaptive variable sports suspension and performance dampers, enhancing its sporty character. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid provided electrified options, with the latter offering 302 horsepower and an estimated 36 miles of electric range. The NX's handling was impressive, with a lower center of gravity and dynamic tuning, although it wasn't designed for off-road adventures.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with a spacious interior and standard running boards for easy access. The front seats were power-adjustable, and the second-row captain's chairs provided added comfort. However, the third-row seating was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was below average for the segment, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging, and small-item storage was limited.

The 2022 Lexus NX provided a more intimate and cozy interior, with thoughtful design elements like padded door panels and center console sides. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed roomy accommodations, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the back seat. The NX offered 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, with 46.9 cubic feet available with the seats folded. The Luxury trim featured ambient lighting with nature-inspired themes, enhancing the overall ambiance.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad, Bose audio system, and rearview camera mirror were available. The analog tachometer and speedometer were functional but lacked sophistication compared to other SUVs.

The 2022 Lexus NX introduced the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen and an optional 14-inch display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Voice Assistant technology. The Mark Levinson premium surround system was available, providing excellent audio quality. The NX also offered cloud-based services, digital key capability, and a comprehensive head-up display, although the touchscreen collected fingerprints and lacked a tuning knob.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave it a three-star rollover rating due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Lexus NX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist and Oncoming Vehicle Detection. It also offered Emergency Driving Stop System, blind-spot warning, and Safe Exit Assist. Premium trim added rear pedestrian detection and adaptive front lighting, enhancing safety.