2022 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a similar "daylight opening" shape to its competitors, making it difficult to distinguish from other vehicles in its class. While the CR-V did feature some unique elements, such as its grille and chromed plastic accents, these were not significant enough to make it a standout choice based on aesthetics alone. The colour palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, making it challenging to find more vibrant options like Radiant Red.

Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that improved with higher trims. However, when compared to rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, the CR-V's styling was less distinctive, particularly in mid-tier trims. Despite this, the CR-V's interior was functional and comfortable, focusing more on practicality than on making a bold visual statement.

The 2022 Nissan Armada, on the other hand, was a large and imposing vehicle, reflecting its full-size SUV status. Its dimensions were substantial, with a length of 5,305 mm, a height of 1,925 mm, and a width of 2,030 mm. The Armada's design featured sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents, giving it a luxurious appearance. The vehicle's size was complemented by features like 20-inch alloy wheels on the SL trim and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum trim, which added to its commanding presence.

The Armada's exterior was available in five colours, each with a deep, rich finish that enhanced its premium look. The SUV's design was both functional and stylish, with elements like a large tailgate with convex glass and prominent taillamps. Overall, the Armada's design was a testament to its capability and luxury, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a bold and spacious vehicle.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 190 horsepower. This powertrain was consistent across all five trims, providing smooth and steady acceleration suitable for highway merging and predictable cornering. The CR-V's acceleration was measured at approximately 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h, which was competitive within its class. The vehicle featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which maintained engine revs at a constant level as speed increased. While this setup offered a smooth driving experience, it lacked the engagement found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, which offered conventional automatic transmissions with sport modes.

The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option on the LX trim and standard on higher trims. Its unitized body structure and suspension setup, consisting of a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, provided decent handling and ride quality. Overall, the CR-V's performance was reliable and consistent, though not particularly thrilling.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust 5.6-litre V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Armada's fuel consumption was rated at 17.5 L/100 km in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. Despite its size and weight, the Armada offered impressive towing capabilities, with a capacity of up to 3,855 kg when properly equipped.

The Armada's performance was characterized by its ability to accelerate confidently and handle various driving conditions with ease. Its braking system, featuring 13.8-inch vented disc brakes and advanced electronic controls, provided reliable stopping power. The SUV's four-wheel independent suspension, with double wishbone front and rear setups, delivered a comfortable and controlled ride, even on rough roads. Overall, the Armada's performance was robust and capable, making it a suitable choice for those seeking power and versatility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4, with a total cargo volume of 1,065 litres when the rear seats were folded. Access to the cargo area varied by trim, with options ranging from a manual tailgate on the LX to a hands-free power tailgate on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing the CR-V's versatility for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Nissan Armada, true to its size, provided generous space for seven to eight passengers. The first row featured comfortable bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a choice between a 60/40-split bench seat or captain's chairs. The third row was spacious enough for three passengers and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada's interior was well-appointed, with features like dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and quilted leather upholstery on higher trims.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Armada excelled, offering 467 litres of space behind the third row, 1,413 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 2,701 litres with both the second and third rows down. The SUV's power liftgate made loading and unloading cargo convenient, while its numerous storage compartments and cupholders added to its practicality.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while the Touring trim offered a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The CR-V's higher trims included features like Sirius XM, HD radio, and a satellite navigation system with voice recognition. Charging ports were abundant, with USB and 12-volt outlets available throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with NissanConnect technology, offering a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a wireless charging pad, navigation, hands-free text messaging, and a rear-view monitor. The Armada's audio system, branded by Bose, included 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. Connectivity options were comprehensive, with USB ports, Bluetooth, and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Platinum trim added a "Family Entertainment System" with dual headrest monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Its Honda Sensing system included a suite of advanced safety features, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. These features were standard across all trims, except for blind spot monitoring, which was available from the Sport trim upwards.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like high beam assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and an intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada also featured a comprehensive airbag system and standard trailer brake and sway control. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model.