2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior design with Nissan's new signature look. 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 S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, with the Midnight Edition Package exclusive to the SL. The Platinum trim, which we tested, showcased the Armada's modernized appearance, yet it still carried an underbite that aged the model compared to its competitors. The interior, while upgraded in terms of connectivity and tech features, appeared dated due to design choices like rouched material 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 look. Available in multiple trims, including Laredo, Altitude, Limited, and more, the Grand Cherokee featured a forward-leaning grille and headlights, a lowered beltline, and a tapered rear roof, reminiscent of the classic 1963 Wagoneer. Inside, the Grand Cherokee mirrored the Grand Cherokee L, with a focus on quality and comfort. The Summit Reserve trim offered luxurious features like quilted leather seats and a McIntosh audio system. The Grand Cherokee's design aimed to improve visibility, especially during off-roading, and provided a more nimble and athletic driving experience compared to its larger sibling.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by a robust Endurance 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with an optional four-wheel drive. Despite its hefty weight of over 6,000 pounds, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The Armada excelled in towing, boasting a best-in-class 8,500-pound capacity when properly equipped.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee's towing capacity reached 7,200 pounds with the V8. Three 4WD systems were available, catering to different off-roading needs, with the Quadra-Drive II system providing the most capability. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy ranged from 17 to 21 mpg, depending on the engine and drivetrain. The Trailhawk trim, designed for serious off-roading, featured a Quadra-Lift air suspension, electronic locking rear differential, and Selec-Terrain driving modes, making it a standout performer in challenging terrains.

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 its placement made some controls difficult to reach. The Armada provided comfortable seating for first- and second-row occupants, with power-adjustable front seats and optional second-row captain's chairs. However, third-row seating was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. The high load floor posed challenges for loading and unloading, and small-item storage was lacking.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee prioritized driver and passenger comfort, offering features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and front seat massagers in higher trims. Visibility was improved, enhancing driver confidence in various situations. Rear-seat room was tight for adults, but the Grand Cherokee L offered more space. The two-row Grand Cherokee provided 37.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. The available panoramic sunroof added an airy feel to the cabin, and the interior design focused on quality and substance.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, a six-speaker stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Optional tech included a 13-speaker Bose audio system and a rearview camera mirror. The Armada's steering wheel allowed limited control of the infotainment system, and while functional, it lacked the sophistication found in other SUVs.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a tech powerhouse, offering a head-up display, Night Vision system, and multiple touchscreens for information and entertainment. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, standard across all trims, provided wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen available in higher trims. The Grand Cherokee also featured a front passenger interactive display, enhancing the driving experience by reducing distraction and offering entertainment options.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came equipped 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee boasted an impressive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, with a structure composed of aluminum and high-strength steel. New features included Intersection Collision Assist and Active Driving Assist, providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assistance. A hands-free version of Active Driving Assist was expected to arrive in 2022, further enhancing the Grand Cherokee's safety capabilities.