2025 Nissan Armada vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black-on-black colour scheme, was not the ideal choice for a tropical climate, leaving our crew less than thrilled. Despite the heat-sink colour combination, the Wrangler's design, rooted in its World War II military heritage, remained fundamentally appealing. The vehicle's rugged charm was evident, even if the uninspired wheel design and all-season tires left something to be desired. The Wrangler's interior focused on function over form, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a few classy elements like grey fabric dashboard trim and metallic accents. Despite its high sticker price, the Wrangler's appeal lay in its capability to traverse almost any terrain, making it a popular choice despite its lack of sophistication compared to other modern vehicles.

The 2025 Nissan Armada, on the other hand, presented a strikingly high beltline and a large, imposing grille that set it apart from its predecessor. The third-generation Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar accents. The PRO-4X trim added rugged character with its unique design elements, including Lava Red accents and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Armada offered a premium feel, even in the task-oriented PRO-4X trim, with leather seats and a padded centre console. The Platinum Reserve trim elevated the luxury experience with quilting and a Chestnut with Rye theme. The Armada's cabin provided a sense of separation from the outside world, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for those seeking a more refined SUV experience.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered two engine options: a standard 3.6-litre V6 with a six-speed manual transmission and an optional turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a marginally more fuel-efficient option with a Natural Resources Canada rating of 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it a capable off-road vehicle. However, its three-star rollover resistance rating from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was a concern. The ride was rough, with a steady stream of jiggles and jolts, and the disconnected steering feel created disconcerting feelings within narrow lanes.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a new powertrain with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission and Nissan’s Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) were standard in Canada. The Armada PRO-4X trim included dedicated 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential. The adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve trim, provided a 33-degree approach angle and 34.4 cm of ground clearance. The Armada's eight selectable drive modes, including Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut, enhanced its off-road capabilities. On-road, the Armada's updated electric power steering provided a nice sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension offered extra comfort in the Platinum Reserve trim.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made getting in and out challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatback panels. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in the cupholders. Cargo space was reasonable, with a square-shaped, 897-litre cargo hold that could be expanded to 2,050 litres by folding the back seat down. However, accessing the cargo area was a hassle due to the tailgate and rear window design.

The 2025 Nissan Armada offered a more spacious and comfortable interior. The push-button transmission freed up centre console space, which was allocated to a standard wireless charging pad. The Platinum Reserve trim featured Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” seats, providing comfort with standard 10-way driver's-side power adjustment. Heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row seat heating were standard in Canada. The third-row seats offered power one-touch folding, and cargo volume increased to 577 litres behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres behind the front row. The Armada's headroom and legroom adjustments provided more space for passengers, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were available in the optional Safety Group package. The Wrangler's infotainment system remained bright and easy to use, even with the roof panels removed.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came standard with two large screens, with the PRO-4X, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve trims featuring two 14.3-inch displays. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB-C ports, and Google Built-In were standard. The Platinum Reserve trim included a head-up display. The Armada's 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System provided an impressive audio experience. The infotainment system's lower placement in the dash ensured visibility from the driver's seat, and Google Built-In offered native Google Maps functionality.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler included side curtain airbags as standard equipment for the front and rear seats. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was standard on the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Wrangler as Good for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but Marginal for the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 included adaptive cruise control with active lane-centring steering assistance, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on the Platinum Reserve trim offered hands-free highway driving assist technology. Nissan Safety Shield 360 provided a host of safety features, including traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. The Armada's surround-view camera and 3D Around View Monitor enhanced visibility, and the Intelligent Around-View camera allowed for precise navigation in tight spaces.