Nissan Armada vs Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid

The 2026 Nissan Armada presented 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, stood out with bright red accent lines and a lowered body, channeling the essence of the Z NISMO. Inside, the Armada boasted a red and black theme with microsuede and metal pedal covers, offering a luxurious feel that rivaled non-luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid adopted a conservative design, drawing inspiration from the previous-generation RAV4. This approach resulted in a vehicle that resembled a larger RAV4, offering seating for up to eight and ample cargo space. The interior prioritized function over form, with a layer of luxury in the Platinum trim. However, the use of glossy hard plastic and unlined storage surfaces detracted from the overall quality. The climate system was user-friendly, but the infotainment interface left room for improvement with its small volume knob and lack of a tuning knob. Despite these shortcomings, the Grand Highlander provided a practical and spacious environment for families.

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 and refined power delivery, paired seamlessly with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The NISMO variant boosted output to 460 horsepower, offering enhanced performance. 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 maneuver, although the steering could have been more precise. Fuel economy was estimated at 14.7 L/100 km in the city and 13.7 combined, which was on par with other full-size SUVs.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max focused on performance with its turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and electronic full-time AWD. Producing 362 horsepower, it offered satisfying acceleration and a smooth ride. The traditional six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in CVTs. The Hybrid Max achieved a combined fuel economy rating of 8.8 L/100 km, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. During testing, it averaged 9.1 L/100 km on a balanced city and highway route. The Grand Highlander provided a soft and isolating ride, although handling was secure only up to a modest point. Outward visibility was excellent, aided by available camera systems.

The 2026 Nissan Armada offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with generous headroom in all three rows. While legroom in the second row was good, it fell short compared to longer American SUVs. The Armada's "Zero Gravity" cushioning provided exceptional comfort, reducing fatigue during long rides. The interior featured a user-friendly layout with hard switches for climate functions and a touchscreen for navigation and settings. Cargo capacity was ample, with 578 litres behind the third row and 2,750 litres with both rows folded.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid provided comfortable seating in all three rows, with a maximum cargo space of over 2,700 litres. The Platinum trim featured a smart and upscale interior with leather and artificial suede upholstery. However, the unlined storage locations contributed to noise and vibration levels. The rear doors required ample space to open, making it challenging to buckle children into safety seats. The Grand Highlander offered 586 litres of cargo space behind the third row and 2,761 litres with the second row folded.

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 14.3-inch displays and ProPilot Assist 2.1 with hands-free operation on highways. The Armada also included a digital rearview mirror, integrated trailer brake controller, and built-in dash cam on select trims. NissanConnect services provided additional features such as stolen vehicle tracking.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system offered access to Toyota Connected Services, including automatic collision notification and a digital voice assistant. The Platinum trim included a head-up display, digital rear-view mirror, and JBL premium audio system. However, the infotainment system had limitations, such as the inability to display multiple main-menu screens simultaneously.

The 2026 Nissan Armada came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the standard safety features provided reassurance. The Armada also included front, front-side, front-knee, and curtain airbags.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering a range of safety features and driver assistance technologies. The system included lane keep assist and Proactive Driving Assist, although the latter was found to be irritating in certain situations. The Grand Highlander received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but fell short of the IIHS Top Safety Pick rating due to headlight performance and frontal-impact protection.