2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design that required some getting used to. Its blunt and bulbous nose, combined with black windshield pillars, gave it an aggressive look, while the swollen haunches attempted to balance the styling. However, the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels seemed to overwhelm the design, even with 20-inch alloy wheels. Over time, the Highlander's appearance might have become more familiar and less striking. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered a two-tone cabin with soft leather for the Limited and Platinum trims. The dashboard was dominated by an asymmetrical element housing the infotainment and climate controls, but the larger 12.3-inch screen suffered from reflections on sunny days. While the controls were sensibly laid out, the mix of illumination and graphics at night gave the gauges a busy appearance.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature exterior style. The SUV featured a new grille, front fenders, bumpers, and LED lights, giving it a modern look while retaining its traditional beefy and athletic body styling. The Armada's exterior included body-colour over fenders, dark-painted roof rails, and an acoustic windshield, among other features. Depending on the trim level, the Armada rode on either 20- or 22-inch wheels, all wrapped in all-season tires. The SUV's new logo was prominently displayed on various parts of the vehicle. Despite the updates, the Armada's interior remained somewhat dated, with a modern upper centre stack but other design choices that made it appear past its prime. The leather seating material was not the issue, but the rouched material on the door panels and abstract patterned hard plastic inlays cheapened the aesthetic.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency. The new engine was rated to use 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving, with a total output of 243 horsepower. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission. While the Highlander Hybrid delivered better fuel consumption figures, it sacrificed power and driving enjoyment. The drivetrain sounded strained during hard acceleration or hill climbing, and the steering was lifeless. The regenerative brakes were an improvement, but the SUV's handling was marred by unwanted body movement. On smooth roads, the Highlander Hybrid demonstrated capable handling, but on uneven surfaces, it became a sloppy mess. Around town, the electric motor torque and EV Mode were strengths, but overall, the SUV was not enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-litre V8 engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque on premium fuel. The Armada came standard with automatic four-wheel drive and 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 not impressive, with a combined rating of 15.4 L/100 km. The Armada's handling improved with each revision, making highway driving less of a chore. It had a best-in-class towing capacity of 3,856 kilograms, thanks to standard trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller. Despite its size, the Armada's turning radius was typical for its class, and maneuvering in parking lots was manageable with forward parking sensors.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with 10-way power seat adjustment for the driver. The test vehicle included a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated front seats. The no-cost bench seat option increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, making it uncomfortable for three adults in the second row. The third-row seat was low and lacking in support, with tight headroom for adults. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. However, storage was not as generous as the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area below.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, as a full-size SUV, offered practicality and functionality for families. Standard running boards and in-cabin handles made entry and exit easy. The Armada's broad interior was evident at the dashboard, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen placing controls at a distance. Front seats were 10-way power-adjustable, with power lumbar support. The Platinum trim offered second-row captain's chairs, reducing seating capacity to seven. Third-row seating was less comfortable for adults but manageable in a pinch. Cargo space behind the third row was 16.5 cubic feet, expanding to 1,413 litres behind the second row, and 2,692 litres with both rows folded. The high load floor limited the cargo area, making loading and unloading a chore for petite adults. Small-item storage was limited, with the centre console storage bin being the exception.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large volume and tuning knobs and shortcut buttons for quick access. The JBL sound system, however, sounded boomy and muddy with bass-heavy music. Toyota's Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the stereo speakers, and a video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view of the rear. The driver information display offered a wealth of detail, including driver-assist settings.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its class, with standard navigation, a 13-speaker Bose stereo system, and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim offered a rearview camera mirror and a rear-seat entertainment system. The camera mirror allowed for a traditional or moving image view. The Armada's steering wheel, while functional, was not as sleek as those in other SUVs. The infotainment system was responsive, and the large screen provided clear views from the camera system.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance for 2021. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, with a surround-view camera system on the Platinum trim. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it earned four-star ratings in frontal-impact crash tests.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. The Armada also included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it lacked advanced driving assist technologies like Nissan ProPilot Assist. The NHTSA gave the Armada a three-star rollover rating due to its 23.7-percent rollover risk.