2022 Nissan Armada vs 2021 Volvo XC40

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV styling compared to other small luxury crossovers, featuring a tall, flat roof and an upright rear hatch. It seamlessly integrated with the rest of the Volvo lineup, showcasing familial styling elements like the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro touch. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It also featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a modified rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and pleasing design.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large SUV, closely related to the Nissan Titan and Nissan Patrol, with production moving to Japan in its second generation. It measured 5,305 mm in length, 1,925 mm in height, and 2,030 mm in width, with a minimum ground clearance of 23.4 cm. The Armada's exterior was sculptural, featuring standard LED lighting and tasteful chrome accents. It was available in five colours, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome. In Canada, the Armada SL came with standard LED fog lights, roof rails, a power moonroof, and 20-inch alloy wheels, while the Platinum trim boasted 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels. The Armada's size and design made it a striking presence on the road.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 model produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, and could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 Recharge emphasized luxury and comfort, offering excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability. It also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, it came standard with four-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Armada's fuel consumption was rated at 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. Despite its size, the Armada could carry up to eight passengers and tow up to 3,855 kilograms. It featured a four-wheel independent suspension, providing a controlled and comfortable ride even on rough roads. The Armada's braking system included 13.8-inch vented disc brakes with hydraulic brake assist and electronic brake force distribution, ensuring effective stopping power.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size due to powertrain hardware. Despite this, Volvo provided clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed to transport seven to eight people comfortably. The first row featured bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a fold-flat bench seat or optional captain's chairs. The third-row bench seat was spacious and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada provided ample headroom and legroom in all three rows. It came with dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and optional ventilated seats. The Armada's size allowed for significant cargo capacity, with up to 2,701 litres of space when the second and third rows were folded flat. It also featured a power liftgate and numerous storage cubbies throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system had a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model also supported OTA updates for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to shift out of park with the key fob present. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected to be available in a future update.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came with NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a split-screen option. It included a wireless device charging pad, NissanConnect telematics services, navigation, and a rear-view monitor. The Bose audio system with 13 speakers was standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. Platinum models offered a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors and wireless headphones. The Armada's technology package was comprehensive, providing convenience and entertainment for all passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. It came with standard safety features like lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear parking sensors. The Recharge model included Volvo’s latest sensor suite, allowing for future advancements in driver aids.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360, including high beam assist, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and an intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada was equipped with dual-stage front airbags, side impact airbags, and curtain airbags for all three rows. A trailer brake controller and trailer sway control were standard in Canada. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for the 2022 model.