2022 Toyota Venza vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada, a close relative of the Nissan Patrol, received a significant facelift, aligning it with Nissan's new signature exterior design. The SUV retained its robust and athletic body styling, featuring a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED headlights and taillights. The Armada 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 body-color over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield and front side windows. Depending on the trim, the Armada rode on 18-, 20-, or 22-inch aluminum alloy wheels, all wrapped in all-season tires. The new Nissan logo was prominently displayed on the grille, rear, steering wheel, and wheel caps.

Despite the updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated. While the connectivity and infotainment systems were upgraded, the design choices, such as rouched material on the door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays, made the SUV appear past its prime. The seating materials ranged from Prima-Tex to quilted leather, with the latter standard on the Platinum trim. However, the overall aesthetic was cheapened by certain design elements, making the interior feel less modern compared to its competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Venza, resurrected for the 2021 model year, rode on the Toyota New Global Architecture K (TGNA-K) platform, shared with models like the Avalon, Camry, and RAV4. Measuring 186.6 inches long, 73.0 inches wide, and 65.9 inches tall, the Venza had a 105.9-inch wheelbase and 7.8 inches of ground clearance. Its modern exterior design featured a deeply scalloped body side, a prominent nose, and a tailgate bisected by a stripe of LED lighting. The Venza's design was more suited for urban environments than off-road adventures.

Inside, the Venza offered a Lexus-like interior with high-quality materials and an elegant layout. The layered dash and well-placed touchscreen display, available in 8-inch or 12.3-inch sizes, added to the cabin's sophistication. The front seats were supportive and comfortable, while the rear seats could accommodate three adults with ease. The Venza's interior was designed for comfort and convenience, making it a suitable choice for families and daily commuters.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque when running on premium fuel. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the Armada offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with automatic four-wheel drive available. 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. The SUV had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, making it a strong contender for those needing to haul heavy loads.

However, the Armada's fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving an EPA-estimated 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined. The 4WD models fared slightly worse, with 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The Armada's handling had improved over the years, but it still felt like a large SUV, with a turning radius and maneuverability that reflected its size.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with three electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. The hybrid powertrain balanced electric and gas drive for optimal efficiency and performance. Drivers could choose from EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with regenerative braking helping to recharge the lithium-ion battery. The Venza's hybrid setup required no special attention, making it a convenient choice for those without access to charging infrastructure.

The Venza offered a sprightly performance and agile handling, similar to the Camry, thanks to its shared wheelbase. While the taller body and higher ground clearance didn't encourage aggressive cornering, the Venza delivered a comfortable and predictable ride, ideal for family use. The hybrid system's transparency and the Predicted Efficient Drive (PED) program further enhanced the Venza's efficiency, making it a practical choice for long-distance travel.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as Nissan's flagship SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. The interior required a bit of a hop to get in and out, but standard running boards and in-cabin handles made it easier. The new 12.3-inch touchscreen was a standout feature, though its placement made some controls a bit of a reach. The front seats were power-adjustable, with the driver’s seat offering 10-way adjustments and the passenger’s seat six-way adjustments. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, reducing seating capacity from eight to seven but increasing comfort.

Cargo space in the Armada was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. These figures were below average for the segment, and the high load floor made loading and unloading a bit challenging. Small-item storage was limited, with the center console storage bin being the exception, offering deep storage for larger items. The Armada featured nine cup holders and four bottle holders throughout the cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Venza seated five in two rows, with bucket seats in the front and a 60/40-split folding bench seat in the second row. Both rows offered good headroom and legroom, with the second row providing 45.2 inches of hip room. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof on the Limited trim. Convenience features included an overhead console with LED map lights, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a four-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat on XLE and Limited models.

The Venza's cargo capacity was 28.8 cubic feet behind the second row and 55.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. The lithium-ion battery pack beneath the second-row seats had little impact on cargo space. Toyota focused on making the Venza's cabin a quiet oasis, adding sound-blocking and absorbing insulation throughout. The result was a serene and quiet ride, enhancing the overall comfort and appeal of the Venza.

The 2021 Nissan Armada saw significant tech upgrades, including a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class. The system was responsive and provided clear camera views. Standard features included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB Type-A and Type-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, NissanConnect Services, keyless entry with push-button start, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Available features included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system. The analog tachometer and speedometer, along with a functional steering wheel, provided basic control over the driver information screen and some infotainment functions.

The 2022 Toyota Venza featured a hybrid powertrain that required no special attention, making it convenient for those without access to charging infrastructure. The LE and XLE models came with an eight-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa capability, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited trim added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and intelligent touch-capacitive controls. Both multimedia setups included Toyota Connected Services, such as Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote Connect, and WiFi Connect.

An Advanced Technology Package was available for the Limited trim, including a head-up display (HUD) and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The 10-inch HUD was one of the best in a mainstream vehicle, clearly visible even with polarized sunglasses. A digital rearview mirror was also available, providing a handy feature for those with passengers or cargo blocking the rear view. The instrument cluster featured a 5-inch display on LE models and a 7-inch display on XLE and Limited models.

The 2021 Nissan Armada had not been fully rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it received a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk. Standard safety features included Nissan Safety Shield 360, which offered automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear door alert. Optional features included a rear camera mirror and a surround-view camera system. However, the Armada lacked advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist or Super Cruise.

The 2022 Toyota Venza came with the Toyota Star Safety System, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, smart stop technology, and a rearview camera. The Venza also featured eight airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats, and child protector locks on the rear doors. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, daytime bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane tracing assist, and road-sign assist.

A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and hill-start assist were standard on all trims, while XLE and Limited models added front and rear parking assist with automated braking. The Limited trim also included fog lamps for better visibility. The 2022 Toyota Venza received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, indicating its high level of safety.