2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that included upscale wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims, clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V versions were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its looks with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The redesigned exterior featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern appearance while retaining its traditional beefy and athletic body styling. The Armada's interior, however, remained somewhat dated despite tech upgrades. The upper half of the centre stack was modern, but other design choices, like rouched material on door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays, made the SUV appear past its prime. The Armada's interior was spacious, with comfortable seating in the first and second rows, but the third row was less accommodating for adults.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CVT offering a credible imitation of a conventional automatic. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design contributed to excellent fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1, making it one of the most fuel-efficient in its class.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada featured a robust 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when using premium fuel. Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered impressive power but at the cost of fuel efficiency, with a combined rating of 15.4 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its size and weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, equipped with features like a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 centimetres of ground clearance. Its towing capacity was best-in-class at 3,856 kilograms, making it a strong choice for those needing to tow heavy loads.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality. Its cabin was roomy, offering good head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Clever storage solutions, like a deep centre console and a two-position load floor, added to its practicality. The CR-V's cargo space was generous, with up to 1,110 litres available with the rear seats folded. Even the door pockets were spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered ample space but had some limitations. The interior was broad, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, but the dashboard layout placed controls at a distance from the driver. The first and second rows provided comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain's chairs in the second row. However, the third row was less comfortable for adults. Cargo space was adequate, with 1,413 litres behind the second row and 2,692 litres with both rear rows folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for shorter individuals.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering a clear view of the camera system. Standard features included navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, Bluetooth, USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Armada also offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system in the Platinum trim. The steering wheel, though functional, lacked the sophistication of other SUVs.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance.

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