Nissan Armada vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, offering a range of options from all-gas to hybrid-powered models. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with the regular Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. Despite its large size, the Grand Highlander was not designed for heavy towing, with a capacity capped at 5,000 pounds. Its design was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style akin to the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights reminiscent of the 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims with varying levels of luxury, from Softex synthetic leather to real leather upholstery, and a range of comfort features like heated and ventilated seats, making it a comfortable and well-built road-trip vehicle.

The 2025 Nissan Armada, on the other hand, presented a bold and imposing design with a high beltline and a large grille that set it apart from its predecessor. The third-generation Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar accents. The PRO-4X trim emphasized its off-road capabilities with unique features like a skid plate and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Armada offered a luxurious experience, especially in the Platinum Reserve trim, with premium materials and a range of interior color options. The cabin was spacious and comfortable, with features like "Zero Gravity" seats and customizable power adjustments, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a blend of luxury and ruggedness.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. At the top of the range, the Hybrid Max powertrain provided 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. The Grand Highlander was available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the Hybrid Max exclusively offering AWD. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander excelled in road manners, though it was a bit challenging to maneuver in tight spaces. It offered three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for AWD models.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the high-performance GT-R, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, and the Armada was available with rear-wheel drive or Nissan’s Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive, except for the PRO-4X, which was 4WD-only. The PRO-4X trim featured off-road enhancements like an electronic locking rear differential and adaptive electronic air suspension, providing a 33-degree approach angle and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The Armada excelled in towing, with a capacity of up to 8,500 pounds. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering offered a nice sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension provided comfort both on and off-road.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. This extra length translated to a spacious interior, offering 97.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride. With seats in position, it provided 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up. The Grand Highlander was designed for comfort, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row, making it a suitable choice for families and long journeys.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad. The Armada's interior was equipped with "Zero Gravity" seats, offering comfort and customizable power adjustments. Heated front seats were standard on the SL trim, with cooling and second-row heating available on higher trims. The Armada offered a three-row configuration, with power one-touch folding for the third row, enhancing cargo space. Cargo volume increased across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 behind the second, and 97.1 in total. The Armada's passenger space was competitive, offering increased legroom in the third row, though it fell short compared to some American rivals.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant was available via a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for tasks like adjusting temperature and changing radio stations. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience. Toyota's tech offerings had improved significantly, though shoppers were advised to review subscription options carefully.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured two large screens, with 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. The screens were housed side by side, offering clear visibility from the driver's seat. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. The SL trim added a wireless charging pad and Google Built-In, allowing Google Maps to be viewed on the driver-information display. A head-up display was optional, and a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System was standard from the SL trim level, offering a high-quality audio experience.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, offering four following-distance settings.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite, with enhanced versions available on higher trims. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 added proactive speed management based on navigation data, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 offered hands-free highway-driving assist technology. The Armada also came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including features like traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and more. A surround-view camera was standard on the SL trim, with higher trims offering Nissan’s 3D Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View for enhanced visibility.