2022 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its exterior with Nissan's new signature design. Despite these updates, the Armada retained its traditional beefy and athletic styling, featuring a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights. The SUV was available in SL and Platinum trims in Canada, with the Platinum 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 Subaru Forester, particularly in its Wilderness trim, emphasized practicality and ruggedness. It featured a suspension lift, higher ride height, and protective cladding, giving it a distinctive "overlanding" look. Inside, the Forester prioritized function over form, with a cabin that combined hard plastic and soft surfaces. The 8-inch Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly, though the presence of three display screens was less than ideal. The Wilderness trim included copper-coloured accents and a matte-black hood decal, which, along with its 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels, contributed to its unique appearance. Overall, the Forester's design focused on utility and durability, appealing to those seeking adventure.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was powered by 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, making it a capable off-roader despite its hefty weight of over 2,700 kilograms. The SUV featured 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 and 15.4 combined. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 3,856 kilograms.

The 2022 Subaru Forester continued with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. While lacking a turbocharger, the Forester's continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive provided a 25% increase in initial torque supply in the Wilderness model. This allowed the Forester Wilderness to double its towing capacity to 1,360 kilograms. The SUV's fuel consumption was more efficient, averaging 9.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The Forester's dual-function X-Mode system and re-tuned suspension enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it a compelling choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2021 Nissan Armada offered practicality and functionality, with a spacious interior that required a step up to enter. The SUV featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable front seats, and optional second-row captain’s chairs. However, the 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 notably spacious.

The 2022 Subaru Forester excelled in functionality, with easy entry and exit due to its tall seating hip points. The Wilderness trim featured water-resistant StarTex upholstery, all-weather floor mats, and a rubber cargo mat. The Forester's roof rails accommodated a three-person roof tent, enhancing its adventure-ready appeal. Comfort levels were high, with ample space for passengers and decent storage options. Cargo space measured 818 litres without the sunroof, expanding to 2,101 litres with the rear seats folded. The Forester's squared-off cargo area and full-size spare tire added to its practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Armada boasted a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with features like navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel allowed limited control of the infotainment system, but it lacked the sophistication of other SUVs.

The 2022 Subaru Forester included a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims featured an 8-inch screen, navigation, and a Harman Kardon sound system. The Wilderness trim added a 180-degree forward-view camera for off-roading. The Forester's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the voice recognition system was inconsistent.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like 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 Subaru Forester debuted EyeSight 4.0, with improved camera-based driver assist technology. It included features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring assist. The Forester earned a 5-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, with a 4-star rating for rollover resistance. The Wilderness trim's modified height may require re-testing by the IIHS.