2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Honda CR-V, like many compact crossovers, shared a similar aesthetic with its competitors, making it difficult to distinguish at first glance. Its design featured a few unique elements, such as the grille and some chromed plastic accents, but overall, it was not a vehicle purchased for its exterior appeal. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with only a few options like Obsidian Blue Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic standing out. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of materials depending on the trim level, but it faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning it with Nissan's new signature design. The SUV featured a new grille, fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, maintaining its traditional robust styling while appearing more modern. The Armada's exterior included body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a power sliding sunroof, among other features. It rode on 20- or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, depending on the trim, and included a full-size spare tire. Despite its updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with design choices that detracted from its overall aesthetic, such as rouched material and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-speed thrills but rather for smooth and steady acceleration, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. It achieved 0 to 100 km/h in about 8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which prioritized efficiency over driving engagement. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The CR-V's suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, typical for its class.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered automatic four-wheel drive as standard. Despite its size and weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 cm of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with estimates of 17.5 L/100 km in the city and 12.9 on the highway. The Armada excelled in towing capacity, boasting a best-in-class 3,856 kg maximum.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It provided over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and had a cargo capacity of 1,065 litres with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured a manual, power, or hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its utility.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered spaciousness, particularly in the first and second rows. The Platinum trim allowed for second-row captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven but increasing comfort. The third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 1,413 litres with the third row folded, and 2,692 litres with both rear rows down. A power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats were standard, though the high load floor posed challenges for loading.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Audio systems varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with USB and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin, and a wireless phone charger was available on the Touring trim.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Standard tech included a WiFi hotspot, keyless entry, and a wireless charging pad. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel, while functional, lacked the sophistication of some competitors.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, standard across all trims, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it received a three-star rollover rating. It came equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. Additional safety technologies included adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning, with options for a rear camera mirror and surround-view camera system.