2022 Mitsubishi Outlander 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. The SUV featured a redesigned grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights, giving it a more modern appearance. The Armada was available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, with the Platinum offering captain’s chairs as an option. The exterior updates included body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and a new Nissan logo. However, the interior remained somewhat dated, with modern tech features contrasting with older design elements.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold and unique front styling with its “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept. The design was balanced and appealing from the front wheels to the rear bumper. Available in multiple trims, the Outlander offered 18-inch alloy wheels on lower grades and 20-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior was minimalist, featuring premium materials like semi-aniline leather and aluminum accents. The Outlander’s design emphasized comfort and functionality, with a focus on clean lines and intuitive controls. However, some interior plastics reminded occupants of its position in the compact crossover segment.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a robust 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when using premium fuel. Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered automatic four-wheel drive as standard. Despite its weight of over 2,700 kilograms, the Armada was a capable off-roader with features like a skid plate, double-wishbone suspension, and 23.4 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, with an estimated 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 3,856 kilograms.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The Outlander offered various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, and Tarmac, but lacked the power for confident highway acceleration. The steering felt vague, and the suspension was firm, leading to a less comfortable ride on uneven surfaces. The Outlander achieved a fuel consumption rating of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly higher than its official rating.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, provided ample space and comfort for families. The interior featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were distant from the driver. The first and second rows offered comfortable seating, with power-adjustable front seats and optional captain’s chairs in the second row. The third row was less spacious, suitable for short trips. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading challenging for shorter individuals.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats and a clean, uncluttered design. The driver’s seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat provided generous space and comfort, with the ability to slide for additional cargo room. The third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children. Cargo capacity was 331 litres with the third row in use, expanding to 2,256 litres with seats folded. However, the centre console lacked storage space.

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 Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. The steering wheel provided limited control over the infotainment system, and the analog gauges were functional but not visually appealing.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a large, detailed HUD. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance.

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 it a three-star rollover rating due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a driver-assist system similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ rating, while the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall rating.