2022 Volvo XC90 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 Platinum trim, which was tested in prototype form, showcased a modernized upper centre stack, though the interior design choices, such as rouched material and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays, made the cabin appear somewhat dated. The Armada's new logo was prominently displayed on various parts of the vehicle, and a new exterior colour, Coulis Red Pearl, was added to the lineup.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 marked a departure from Volvo's boxy past, embracing a more upscale and luxurious image while maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented reputation. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC90 boasted a sleek and athletic profile with pronounced wheel arches and a snub nose reminiscent of classic Volvo designs. The interior was described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featuring natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo's commitment to going leather-free by 2030 was evident, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery. The XC90's interior was praised for its comfort and spaciousness, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof and effective climate control system.

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 (4WD) as standard. Despite its hefty weight of over 2,700 kilograms, the Armada was a capable off-roader, featuring 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, boasting a best-in-class 3,856-kilogram maximum towing capacity.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered a choice of three powertrains: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version, and the Recharge plug-in hybrid. The T5 produced 250 horsepower, the T6 316 horsepower, and the Recharge a combined 455 horsepower. All models featured all-wheel drive (AWD) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the Recharge model achieving an impressive 8.8 L/100 km combined in hybrid mode and a 29-kilometre EV range. The XC90 was praised for its superb driving experience, with minimal body roll and smooth power delivery, making it enjoyable to drive despite its size.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as Nissan's flagship SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. Its broad interior featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were distant from the driver. The first and second-row seats provided comfort, with power-adjustable options and available captain's chairs in the Platinum trim. However, the third-row seating was less comfortable for adults. The Armada offered 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,692 litres with all seats folded. A power liftgate and power-folding third-row seats were standard, though the high load floor posed challenges for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six- or seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults might find it lacking in legroom. The XC90 offered 357 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,855 litres with all seats folded. It could tow up to 2,250 kilograms, depending on the configuration. The XC90's interior was spacious and airy, with ample storage options and a standard panoramic moonroof. The climate control system performed well, providing a comfortable environment even in extreme weather conditions.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, offering navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Standard tech included a WiFi hotspot, keyless entry, and a wireless charging pad. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and rear-seat entertainment system. The Armada's steering wheel, though functional, lacked the sophistication found in other SUVs.

The 2022 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system featured a nine-inch touchscreen with tablet-like functionality. While intuitive, it was occasionally slow to respond. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an optional head-up display. The Advanced package added a 360-degree camera system and an advanced air cleaner. Keyless entry and a Harman-Kardon audio system were standard on higher trims, with multiple USB ports for device charging.

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 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping aid, and adaptive cruise control. Volvo's Pilot Assist system provided assisted driving on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.