2022 Nissan Armada vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large and imposing SUV, originally introduced as the Pathfinder Armada in 2004. Sharing its roots with the Nissan Titan and the international Nissan Patrol, the Armada was produced in Mississippi before moving to Japan in 2017. This generation of the Armada was closely related to the Infiniti QX80. Its substantial dimensions—208.9 inches long, 75.8 inches tall, and 79.9 inches wide—made it a commanding presence on the road. The exterior featured sculptural details, LED lighting, and chrome accents, with wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches, adding to its luxurious appeal.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the model year, was introduced in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models maintained a similar appearance to the standard RX 350, with subtle differences like badges and wheel designs. The RX 500h stood out with its performance-oriented styling, including a blacked-out grille and matte-black wheels. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not universally praised, with a front-heavy look and a visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with improved infotainment and ambient lighting, offering a luxurious feel with options like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. It offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel drive, both paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel economy was modest, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Despite its weight of up to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and provided a smooth ride with its independent suspension and 22-inch wheels on the Platinum trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid models: the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg combined. The RX 500h, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering, providing a dynamic driving experience. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed for spaciousness, accommodating seven to eight passengers with comfortable seating options, including power-adjustable front seats and available captain's chairs. The third row offered power folding and reclining functions. The Armada excelled in cargo capacity, providing up to 95.4 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded. A power liftgate was standard on higher trims, enhancing convenience.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid prioritized comfort with its ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather in the RX 350h Luxury trim. The RX 500h offered sportier seating with larger bolsters. Rear passengers enjoyed good leg support, though headroom was limited due to the battery placement. The RX improved cargo space to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, surpassing its predecessor but still trailing some competitors.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured NissanConnect technology with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, offering customizable split-screen options. Standard tech included a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless charging, navigation, and a Bose audio system on higher trims. Connectivity options included USB ports, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Platinum trim added a Family Entertainment System with dual monitors.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface included cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. While the system worked well, it had limitations like single-screen viewing and reflection issues. The available head-up display added convenience but had usability challenges with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control and an intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada featured airbags for all three rows and trailer sway control on higher trims. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. While the safety systems generally performed well, some features like curve-speed reduction and driver monitoring had limitations. Advanced Park was an optional semi-autonomous parking technology.