Nissan Armada vs Lexus GX

The 2026 Nissan Armada presented a unique blend of sportiness and traditional SUV aesthetics. Despite its boxy shape with hard angles on the A-pillars and D-pillars, Nissan managed to infuse a sportier look reminiscent of its crossovers. The softer curves on the bumpers, fenders, and window trim added a contrasting surface appeal. The imposing double-bracketed running lights and wide chrome bars across the grille further enhanced its presence. Compared to its American counterparts like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, the Armada appeared more svelte and refined, akin to a tailored suit. The NISMO variant, with its Tokyo street style, stood out with bright red accent lines, Stealth Grey paint, and a lowered body, channeling the essence of the Z NISMO. Inside, the Armada boasted a red and black theme with microsuede, metal pedal covers, and a NISMO tachometer, offering a high level of quality and design.

The 2026 Lexus GX, on the other hand, offered a rugged and utilitarian design, especially in the Overtrail trim. With its grey wheel arch cladding, skid plates, and all-terrain tires, it looked ready for any adventure. The Nori Green Pearl colour added an outdoorsy touch. Inside, the Overtrail featured tan artificial leather with black bolsters and olive-green simulated suede trim. The cabin emphasized utility with industrial design themes, yet maintained a sense of quality with advanced digital displays. The GX's exterior design, with its Lexus grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and hood blisters, conveyed capability and style. Despite its boxy appearance, the GX managed to maintain a sense of elegance and functionality.

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 a smooth and refined driving experience, paired seamlessly with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The NISMO variant boosted output to 460 hp with premium fuel, offering a slightly unmuffled exhaust note. The Armada's air suspension, available on select trims, provided excellent body control and a compliant ride. Despite its weight of over 2,700 kilograms, the Armada offered secure braking and impressive towing capacity of 3,850 kilograms. Fuel economy was estimated at 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 12.4 on the highway.

The 2026 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It came with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system. The Overtrail trim added an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select off-road settings, and a low-speed cruise control system. The adaptive variable suspension and Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) enhanced off-road capability. The GX offered a 6.8-second 0 to 100 km/h time, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with a combined rating of 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Despite its rugged construction, the GX provided a comfortable on-road experience, with its adaptive suspension absorbing bumps and humps effectively.

The 2026 Nissan Armada offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with generous headroom in all three rows. The second-row legroom was comparable to the first row, but the Armada fell short in interior space compared to longer American SUVs. The "Zero Gravity" cushioning in the seats reduced fatigue during long rides, and the 10-way heated, cooled, and massaging front seats added to the comfort. The Armada's cargo capacity was good, with 578 litres behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres with both rows folded.

The 2026 Lexus GX, particularly in the Overtrail trim, offered comfortable power-adjustable front seats with NuLuxe artificial leather upholstery. The second-row bench seat was wide enough for three teenagers, but the cushion was low and flat. The Overtrail trim did not include a third-row seat, offering 1,291 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and a maximum capacity of 2,548 litres. The GX's load height was relatively high, and the bumper protruded, making it suitable for outdoor activities but potentially inconvenient for loading and unloading.

The 2026 Nissan Armada came standard with two 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Klipsch stereo. Higher trims featured two 14.3-inch displays and ProPilot Assist 2.1 with hands-free operation on highways. The Armada also offered a digital rearview mirror, integrated trailer brake controller, and built-in dash cam on select trims. NissanConnect services provided additional features like stolen vehicle tracking.

The 2026 Lexus GX featured a 12.3-inch configurable digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. The system included complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services plans, with features like cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the GX offered a panoramic view monitor and multi-terrain monitor. However, the view activation button was obscured by the steering wheel, making it less convenient to use.

The 2026 Nissan Armada came with a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. It also offered blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the extensive safety features provided reassurance.

The 2026 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 package, featuring high beam assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. It also offered lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. Additional features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. Traffic Jam Assist was available with an active Drive Connect plan. Safety ratings were not available at the time of writing.