2022 Nissan Armada vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large and imposing SUV, reflecting its roots as a cousin to the Nissan Titan pickup and the international Nissan Patrol. Its dimensions were substantial, measuring 5,305 millimetres in length, 1,925 mm in height, and 2,030 mm in width. The Armada's design was characterized by sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and tasteful chrome accents, including sharp-looking vents on the front fenders. The vehicle's tailgate featured a large expanse of convex glass and prominent taillamps. In Canada, the Armada SL came with standard features like 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, adding a touch of luxury to its robust appearance.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models. Despite its understated look, the Santa Fe remained an attractive SUV. The 2023 model continued with the same design as the 2022 version, available in four trim levels in Canada: Preferred, Urban, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy. All-wheel drive was standard across all trims in Canada. The Santa Fe's styling was marked by its wide upper and lower grilles and thin LED headlights, giving it a distinctive front-end appearance. The interior of the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a black leather cabin, though a beige or grey interior was available for those seeking more visual contrast. The Nappa leather seats in the test vehicle were both comfortable and attractive, with heated and cooled front seats as standard in the Calligraphy trim.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was powered by a naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. Despite its hefty weight of over 2,700 kilograms, the Armada offered impressive towing capabilities of up to 3,855 kilograms. Fuel consumption ratings were 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. The Armada's four-wheel independent suspension provided a smooth and controlled ride, even on rough roads, while its 22-inch wheels added to its stability and comfort.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 hp and 311 pound-feet. The turbocharged engine was paired with an eight-speed "wet" dual-clutch automatic transmission, providing a significant performance boost. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes: Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart. The turbocharged version offered brisk acceleration and smooth handling, with minimal body lean during cornering. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied between 907 kilograms for the non-turbo version and 1,587 kg for the turbo version, with trailer brakes required for maximum towing capabilities.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed to transport seven to eight passengers comfortably, with spacious seating across three rows. The first row featured power-adjustable bucket seats, while the second row offered a choice between a 60/40-split bench seat or captain's chairs. The third-row bench seat was roomy enough for three passengers and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada provided ample cargo space, with 467 litres behind the third row, 1,413 litres with the third row folded, and up to 2,701 litres with the second row down. A power liftgate was standard in Canada, enhancing convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding down the second row expanded the storage capacity to 2,041 litres. The Santa Fe's interior featured an eight-way power driver's seat and heated front seats as standard in Canada. Higher trims included additional comfort features like ventilated front seats, a power driver seat cushion extension, and heated rear seats. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted a panoramic sunroof, head-up display, and premium interior accents, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Nissan Armada came equipped with NissanConnect technology, featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a wireless device charging pad, navigation, hands-free text messaging, and a Bose audio system with 13 speakers. The Armada also offered wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, along with a "Family Entertainment System" in the Platinum trim, which included dual 8-inch headrest monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in in-vehicle technology, offering a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Santa Fe's infotainment system allowed for extensive customization, though voice-recognition capabilities were mixed. The vehicle also featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims, providing clear and versatile graphics. Wireless device charging was available in the top trims, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy drivers.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including the Nissan Safety Shield 360, which offered high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety systems included adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, and an available intelligent rear-view mirror. The Armada featured dual-stage front airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags for all three rows. However, safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available for this model.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted an extensive array of standard safety-related ADAS, such as forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS, earning high marks in crashworthiness tests.