2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior design with the new signature look of the Nissan brand. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional beefy and athletic body styling, featuring a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights. The SUV was available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, with the latter offering captain’s chairs as an option. The Armada's exterior updates included body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a power sliding sunroof, among other features. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with modern tech upgrades contrasting with older design elements like rouched door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a two-row version of the previous year's Grand Cherokee L, maintained Jeep's design traditions while offering a sportier and more compact option. Available in multiple trims, including Laredo, Altitude, and Summit Reserve, the Grand Cherokee featured a design influenced by the classic 1963 Wagoneer. It offered a black roof option and promised more paint colours in the future. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with a basic yet quality interior in the Laredo trim and luxurious features in the Summit Reserve. The gloss black finish on some controls was noted for its reflections, but overall, the Grand Cherokee provided a comfortable and stylish ride.

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's fuel efficiency was less impressive, with estimates of 17.5 L/100 km in the city and 12.9 on the highway. It offered a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms. The Armada's handling improved with each revision, though its turning radius and parking maneuverability were typical for its size.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with 293 horsepower and a 5.7-litre V8 engine with 357 horsepower. The V6 provided a towing capacity of 2,812 kilograms, while the V8 increased it to 3,265 kilograms. Three 4WD systems were available, with Quadra-Drive II offering the most off-road capability. The Grand Cherokee's fuel consumption estimates ranged from 14.1 L/100 km with the V8 to 11.3 L/100 km with the V6. The Trailhawk trim excelled in off-roading, featuring Quadra-Drive II, an electronic locking rear differential, and a Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Cherokee's ride quality was praised, with the V6 being the preferred engine for its efficiency and performance.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality for families, with standard running boards and in-cabin handles for easy access. The interior featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, though the dashboard's width made some controls difficult to reach. The Armada provided comfortable seating for first- and second-row occupants, with optional captain’s chairs in the Platinum trim. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with all seats folded. The high load floor and limited small-item storage were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided comfort for the driver and front passenger, with heated seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. Visibility was improved, enhancing driver confidence. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, but the Grand Cherokee L offered more legroom. Cargo space was 1,067 litres behind the back seat, expanding to 2,004 litres with the seat folded. The Grand Cherokee's design aimed to improve practicality and comfort, with a focus on visibility and interior quality.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Armada also offered a rearview camera mirror and a seatback rear-seat entertainment system in the Platinum trim. The steering wheel allowed limited control of the infotainment system, and the analog tachometer and speedometer were functional but not sleek.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, featuring a head-up display, Night Vision system, and multiple touchscreens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system offered improved responsiveness and over-the-air updates. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen available in most trims. The Grand Cherokee also offered a front passenger interactive display, enhancing the driving experience and entertainment options.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The NHTSA gave the Armada a three-star rollover rating, but other safety ratings were not available. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee featured an extensive collection of advanced driver assistance systems, with a safety cage composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. Standard features included blind spot monitoring and full-speed forward collision warning. Active Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance, with a hands-free version expected in 2022. The Grand Cherokee's safety features aimed to enhance driver confidence and collision avoidance.