2022 Nissan Armada vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Nissan Armada was a large and imposing SUV, with dimensions that emphasized its substantial presence on the road. It measured 5,305 millimetres in length, 1,925 mm in height, and 2,030 mm in width, making it a formidable vehicle. The Armada's design featured sculptural details, standard LED lighting, and a tasteful amount of chrome, giving it a luxurious appearance. The exterior was available in five colours, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome accents. 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 that complemented its large frame.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was a striking SUV with a bold design that drew inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its newly creased and kinked body gave it a distinctive look, and the traditional grille and front bumper set it apart from its pickup counterpart. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale materials like leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a massive 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, and the Capstone's cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

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 robust powertrain was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) in Canada. Despite its hefty weight of over 2,700 kilograms, the Armada offered a towing capacity 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, and its 22-inch wheels added to its stability.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms. The new Sequoia was more fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD mode. During testing, it averaged 13.2 L/100 km in RWD mode. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the ride quality could be busy and jittery, especially in Normal mode.

The 2022 Nissan Armada was designed to accommodate seven to eight passengers comfortably. The first row featured two bucket seats with power adjustments, while the second row offered a 60/40-split bench seat or optional captain's chairs. The third-row bench seat was spacious enough for three passengers and could be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. The Armada provided ample headroom and legroom in all three rows. It also offered a generous cargo capacity, 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.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and limited thigh support. Cargo capacity was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. Folding the third row increased capacity to 1,387 litres, and with the second row down, it offered 2,460 litres of cargo space.

The 2022 Nissan Armada featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with NissanConnect technology, offering a customizable split-screen option. Standard tech features included a wireless device charging pad, navigation, hands-free text messaging, and a rear-view monitor. The Armada also came with a Bose audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto connectivity. Platinum models included a "Family Entertainment System" with dual 8-inch headrest monitors and wireless headphones.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected services and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing.

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

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included every driver-assistance feature as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package offered forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.