2026 Nissan Armada vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Nissan Armada was a striking departure from the typical bulky SUV aesthetic, incorporating a sportier design reminiscent of Nissan's crossovers. Despite its boxy structure with hard angles on the A-pillars and D-pillars, the Armada featured softer curves on the bumpers and fenders, creating a balanced surface contrast. The imposing double-bracketed running lights and wide chrome bars across the grille added to its commanding presence. Although it was a tall, XL-size vehicle, the Armada appeared more svelte compared to its American counterparts like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe. The NISMO variant, with its Tokyo street style, was particularly eye-catching, featuring bright red accent lines and a lowered body, enhancing its sporty appeal.

Inside, the Armada boasted a luxurious interior with red and black accents, microsuede, and metal pedal covers. The quality of materials was exceptional, rivaling even luxury SUVs. The centre stack was a blend of fine analog controls and sharp screens, offering a seamless user experience. The Platinum Reserve trim elevated the luxury with quilted leather upholstery and massaging front seats. Overall, the Armada's design and interior quality were top-notch, making it a standout in its class.

The 2026 Lexus TX, available with various packages, offered a blend of luxury and practicality. The TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid included a six-speed automatic. The TX's design retained the large spindle grille, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. Inside, the TX offered three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but some might have preferred more attention to detail elsewhere in the cabin.

The 2026 Nissan Armada was equipped with a powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided smooth power delivery and paired seamlessly with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The NISMO variant increased output to 460 hp, offering a sportier driving experience. The Armada's air suspension, available on select trims, provided excellent body control and a compliant ride. Despite its size, the Armada was easy to drive and offered impressive cornering ability. Fuel economy was on par with other full-size SUVs, though not particularly efficient.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered two powertrain options: a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the TX 350 and a 366-horsepower hybrid system in the TX 500h. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX's drive modes allowed for customization, with Sport mode offering increased throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. Overall, the TX provided a comfortable and efficient driving experience, though it wasn't designed for sporty performance.

The 2026 Nissan Armada offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with generous headroom in all three rows. The second row featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" cushioning, providing exceptional comfort. The Armada's cargo capacity was good, though not as spacious as some American SUVs. The Armada had 578 litres of space behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres with both rows folded. The air suspension made accessing the cargo area easier.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided a spacious interior with three-zone automatic climate control and heated and cooled front seats. The third row was remarkably spacious, with a recline function and plenty of headroom. The TX's cargo space was excellent, with 572 litres behind the third row, 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2026 Nissan Armada featured two 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Klipsch stereo. Higher trims included larger 14.3-inch displays and ProPilot Assist 2.1 with hands-free operation. The Armada also offered a digital rearview mirror, integrated trailer brake controller, and built-in dash cam on select trims.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with a 14-inch touchscreen, though some features lacked polish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues were noted. The TX offered a subscription-based in-dash navigation system and other features like a voice assistant and digital key. The back-up camera and Advanced Park system were highlights, providing clear views and automated parking assistance.

The 2026 Nissan Armada came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the extensive list of safety features provided reassurance.

The 2026 Lexus TX included Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, offering features like forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The TX received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though some features were found to be overly sensitive.