2019 Nissan Armada

You might expect the hefty SUV to handle like a rhinoceros on rollerskates thanks to its powerful engine and graceless dimensions, but it is remarkably composed, as much as any large SUV can hope to be. The steering might not communicate as well as we might like, but it gets the job done with little fuss. It also handles quite well, gripping the road during turns with little to no body roll, but don't expect the same handling as smaller, nimbler vehicles. Equally impressive for a vehicle of this size, the brakes are among the best in the segment, stopping the juggernaut from 60 mph in under 120 feet.

Working in concert with these adequate handling characteristics, the Armada's suspension absorbs even large road imperfections, like potholes without dislodging passengers. The supremely comfortable seats complement this inherent ride comfort and make even long rides feel pleasurable. All this comfort combines with a well-insulated cabin to create an almost silent ride, meaning passengers could easily take a nap in the backseats. The powerful V8 won't break through unless you force it to by punching it, but even then it offers an enjoyable soundtrack for high-speed cruising.

Off-road, the Armada really comes into its own. With more than nine inches of ground clearance and ample approach, departure, and breakover angles, it's one of the most refined and luxurious ways to conquer almost any terrain.

The Nissan Armada has a lot going right for it. It has a punchy engine that supplies power on demand, giving the large SUV impressive acceleration numbers and more than enough power to maneuver on the highway. This is paired with town handling that is only slightly clumsy. The steering can be uncommunicative, but the available driver-assist features help to keep you informed of what is going on around you.

The interior is the Armada's strongest selling point, offering accommodation that even some luxury SUVs struggle to best. The seats are spacious and comfortable, and the vehicle's suspension smooths out bumps exceptionally well. With available seat heating and cooling, as well as ample climate control and air conditioning, users will always be comfortable. The biggest failing inside the cabin is the outdated and clunky infotainment system. If you can get past this, then the Nissan Armada is certainly worth considering.

With a relatively low starting price for the segment, the Armada has a lot of appeal, but if you're willing to spend $47,100 for the base model, opting to shell out a few thousand more for a rival like the Ford Expedition might be the better choice, because as good as the Armada is, these rivals still beat it in most areas. The overall cost of ownership will also end up being less as the Nissan has terrible fuel economy compared to top competitors. It's only true saving grace is exceptional off-road ability.

The Toyota Sequoia is on par with the Armada on many fronts. They both have equally terrible fuel economy, to start with. In terms of performance, they each deliver almost identical figures, with the Toyota promising a little bit more torque. Despite this, the Nissan is still able to pull significantly more weight than its rival. But if cargo space is more important to you than towing capacity, the Sequoia offers 18.9 cubic feet versus the Armada's 16.5, setting it slightly ahead. Still, the Armada provides more space for passengers, so if that is more important than simple utility, the Nissan once again takes a step forward. In terms of tech, the Sequoia somehow manages to lose to the outdated Armada, with limited features and poorly thought-out feature placement. Seat comfort in the Toyota is decent, but nowhere near the luxury level supplied its Nissan rival. That's two extra points for the Armada. When we tally it all up, the Nissan Armada comes out in the lead here, and it starts at a lower price to boot.

With both SUVs sharing underpinnings, it's not surprising that they are very similar. For a start, they look almost identical from the outside, and inside, it is just a matter of slightly higher quality materials on the true luxury SUV. Despite the Infiniti offering a slightly stronger 400 hp V8 engine, it is just as inefficient as the Armada's, achieving almost identical EPA figures. But since the QX80 uses premium gasoline, it is going to cost you a lot more over its lifespan. This compounds the already higher starting price of $65,500 to make the Infiniti significantly more expensive. The Infiniti also suffers from the same handling shortcomings as the Armada, and it doesn't offer smartphone integration either. Choosing the Infiniti over the Nissan is more a matter of status, with only slightly better performance supplied by the significantly more expensive QX80. You can get the same level of comfort and pleasure for a lot less from the Armada, so long as you don't mind the less prestigious brand name.