2022 Nissan Armada vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new vehicle platforms from scratch, leading to today's lineup of sedans and crossover SUVs. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose recalled the classic 245 wagon's upright grille. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered a choice between Nappa leather and a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, with our test car featuring leather seats, which proved comfortable during a week of high temperatures and humidity.

The Nissan Armada, initially known as the Pathfinder Armada in 2004, shared its platform with the Nissan Titan full-size pickup and the international Nissan Patrol SUV. Production moved to Japan with the second-generation Armada in 2017, making it a cousin to the Infiniti QX80 luxury SUV. The Armada was undeniably large, measuring 208.9 inches in length, 75.8 inches in height, and 79.9 inches in width. Depending on the trim, the ground clearance ranged from 9.1 to 9.2 inches, with a step-in height of nearly two feet, necessitating the use of standard side-step rails for safe entry and exit.

Despite its size, 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 boasted deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome. Wheel sizes varied by trim, with 18-inch wheels on the S and SV models, 20-inch on the SL trim, and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum, which complemented the SUV's large frame.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. The T5 models featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 models had a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 models combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, achieving a combined 455 hp and 523 lb-ft of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with available all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 engines required Premium (91-octane) gasoline. The EPA estimated the T5 FWD models to achieve 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the T5 AWD models at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models were rated at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 models had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended-range variant achieved a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. Charging the battery from empty to full took about five hours at 240 volts (Level 2). The XC90 handled superbly, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, especially in the T8 Inscription extended range model.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with four-wheel drive (4WD) available, both using a seven-speed automatic transmission. RWD models earned an EPA rating of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined, while 4WD versions achieved 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined. Despite its weight of 5,650 to 6,034 pounds, the Armada could carry up to eight passengers and tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The Armada's performance was impressive, with no difficulty in accelerating from a stoplight or merging onto the freeway. The standard 13.8-inch vented disc brakes with hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and a four-wheel/four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock system provided reliable stopping power. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension, with double wishbone front and rear, stabilizer bars, and twin-tube Hitachi shock absorbers, delivered a controlled ride. Our test vehicle, a 4WD Platinum model with 22-inch wheels, handled the rutted roads of southeastern Michigan comfortably, making it a pleasant cruiser.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with either captain's chairs and a center console or three-across seating in the second row. The third row was accessible with a one-handed slide and fold of the second row, suitable for kids but less comfortable for adults. The XC90 could carry up to 15.9 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain.

The XC90's interior featured ample storage space, including door pockets, seat back pockets, console storage, and a large glove compartment. The cabin was airy and spacious, enhanced by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing a comfortable environment despite high temperatures and humidity.

The 2022 Nissan Armada's size supported its purpose of transporting seven to eight people in comfort. The first row featured two bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way power adjustment for the front passenger, both with power lumbar adjustment. The second row offered a fold-flat 60/40-split bench seat or available captain's chairs with an optional removable center console. The third-row 60/40 split bench seat could accommodate three passengers and offered power folding and reclining functions.

The Armada's interior materials varied by trim, with base S models featuring cloth seats, SV models with upgraded "Prima-Tex" cloth, SL models with leather-trimmed seats, and Platinum models with quilted leather appointments. The second row's one-touch fold and flip feature made it easy to access the rear seats. The Armada also had nine cupholders, four bottle holders, and numerous storage cubbies throughout the cabin. It could carry up to 16.5 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. A power liftgate was standard on SL and Platinum models, optional on the Armada S.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a nine-inch diagonal, portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with the system performing better when connected to an iPhone. The XC90 also had a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner as part of the $1,650 Advanced package.

The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system could be upgraded to a $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins system, known for its surround sound staging. The XC90 included two front USB-A ports, two rear USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot with a complimentary trial subscription, and the Volvo Care smartphone app, providing remote lock/unlock function and other vehicle controls.

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 Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless device charging pad (on all but 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 audio system varied by trim, with the base S trim featuring a four-speaker system, the SV adding two more speakers, and the SL and Platinum models boasting a Bose-branded system with 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. All models included two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and redundant steering wheel audio controls. Platinum models also featured a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors, two pairs of wireless headphones, and HDMI input.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features to keep the car in its lane with minimal driver intervention on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Armada included a comprehensive list of standard safety features, such as high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional active safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, and rear-door alert. The Armada also had dual-stage front supplemental airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags for all three rows. A trailer brake controller and trailer sway control were standard on higher trims. The IIHS and NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the 2022 Armada.