2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant redesign, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. This facelift included a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving the Armada a modern look while retaining its traditional robust and athletic styling. The SUV was available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, with the Platinum offering captain’s chairs as an option. Despite the updates, the interior felt dated, with some design choices like rouched material and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays detracting from its overall aesthetic. The Armada featured body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a range of standard features, including a power sliding sunroof and heated side mirrors.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level introduced a bolder grille, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. The test vehicle featured Ebony Twilight metallic paint and a black leather interior, which proved challenging to keep clean. The Terrain offered various trim levels, with the AT4 providing a more rugged appearance. However, the quality of materials and execution of details reflected its entry-level status, with some features like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray falling short of expectations.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. It featured a 7-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD, making it a capable off-roader despite its weight of over 2,700 kilograms. The Armada had a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms and a ground clearance of 23.4 centimetres. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an estimated 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The SUV's handling improved with each revision, but its turning radius and parking manoeuvrability remained typical for its size.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering decent performance once the SUV was rolling. The Terrain's towing capacity was limited to 680 kilograms, and its fuel economy was more favourable, with a rating of 9.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The Terrain AT4 featured a four-wheel independent suspension and 20.1 centimetres of ground clearance, but its off-road capabilities were limited. The SUV's ride was smooth on highways, but its handling was less engaging, with numb steering and a lack of power.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior was spacious, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats and optional second-row captain’s chairs in the Platinum trim. However, third-row seating was less comfortable for adults. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with the second and third rows folded. The high load floor made loading and unloading challenging for petite individuals. Small-item storage was limited, but the centre console storage bin was spacious.

The 2022 GMC Terrain provided a roomy interior for a compact crossover, with power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The AT4 trim featured perforated leather upholstery with caramel-colour contrast stitching. The back seat offered ample legroom and foot room, with a rear USB charging port. Cargo space measured 838 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,792 litres with the rear seat folded. The Terrain included various storage solutions, but the shape of the storage tray forward of the cupholders was disappointing.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo system, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. The steering wheel allowed limited control of the driver information screen and infotainment functions.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems, with the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Infotainment Package II added connected navigation and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was excellent, but the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Tech Package option included a head-up display, park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

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

The 2022 GMC Terrain featured the GMC Pro Safety Package, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assist. The Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly “Good” crash-test scores, but it received a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the Terrain's crashworthiness.