2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum, arriving for our Los Angeles adventure, turned out to be a visual delight after our exhausting trip from Maui. The sheer magnificence of the Platinum trim, at the apex of the Expedition’s lineup, was heartening. From the base XL STX to the opulent Platinum, the Expedition’s price topped at $80,510, equipped with Magnetic gray paint, four-wheel drive (4WD), and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package among other goodies. The exterior featured a dazzlingly detailed chrome grille and enormous 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, lending an audacious appearance.

However, the SUV fell short when it failed to accommodate our combined luggage effectively; a limitation we felt deeply during our 40-mile journey to the suburbs where one passenger had to carry her suitcase on her lap. This underscored a reality: while the Expedition’s bold presence and luxurious interior were appreciable, it fell short in practical cargo space in its standard length. The Expedition MAX variant, with greater cargo capacity, or the standard-length version equipped with a 40/20/40-split second-row bench seat for a flexible space, would have been better suited.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Armada, which saw a significant facelift for that model year, blended traditional robustness with modern design components. Available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, the Nissan Armada Platinum that we tested flaunted new grille designs, fenders, and bumpers, along with contemporary LED lighting. This upgraded façade, crafted with elements like body-color over fenders and an acoustic windshield, placed the Armada in visual harmony with newer Nissan models, while maintaining its hefty persona.

The Armada's stance was accentuated with choices of 18-, 20-, or 22-inch alloy wheels and a full-size spare. In stark contrast with Ford’s conventional logos, Nissan’s updated insignia prominently adorned numerous exterior slots. Despite having mostly traditional underpinnings from the A-pillar back, the new design adjustments brought a fresh aura without eroding its characteristic stoutness, making it both imposing and timeless. However, the Armada retained a somewhat outdated underbite and lacked the comprehensive redesign undertaken by competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, which arguably left its aging design cues more evident.

Under its hood, the 2021 Ford Expedition boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 across all trims, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine, which provided 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque—boosted to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft on the Platinum trim—ensured a potent drive. Towing prowess ranged between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds, depending on specification, aided by Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist for easier maneuvering. The Expedition handled deftly, even fully loaded with passengers and cargo. Its ride comfort, though hampered by 22-inch wheels transmitting road shocks, benefited from an adaptive damping suspension.

The off-road capability extended with the FX4 package on XLT and Limited trims, featuring additional aids for rugged terrain. Yet, our Platinum model remained confined to pavement, where it averaged 17.1 mpg, slightly below its official combined rating of 19 mpg from the EPA.

The 2021 Nissan Armada, by contrast, featured the robust Endurance 5.6-liter V8 engine, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, churning out 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. While fuel economy lagged at 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (RWD), dropping slightly with 4WD, the Armada’s strength lay in off-road competency bolstered by Hitachi twin-tube shocks and a double-wishbone suspension system. Unlike the Expedition, its towing capacity maxed at 8,500 pounds but maintained a standard trailer harness and sway control.

Despite its hefty weight over 6,000 pounds, the Armada exhibited improved handling dynamics with each iteration. However, with a 21.0-inch approach, 22.4-inch departure angles, and a 20.7-inch breakover angle, it managed challenging terrains adeptly, though its road performance was burdened by less agile handling compared to the Expedition.

The 2021 Ford Expedition, albeit luxurious, highlighted a stark drawback in cargo capacity for the standard length. It struggled to comfortably fit more than five people alongside their luggage, pushing for the extended-wheelbase Expedition MAX which offered a compelling 34.3 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 73.3 cubic feet and 121.5 cubic feet with successive seat rows folded.

Overall, the Expedition delivered comfort with power-deploying running boards and plush seating arrangements, though limited cargo space was a persistent limitation. Back-row seating for adults was spacious, and storage options were ample, though the cargo floor’s elevated height posed a challenge for heavy items.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Armada attained a practical approach for family needs yet fell short on cargo capacity. With 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 49.9 cubic feet with the second row folded, its total 95.4 cubic feet fell below the Expedition’s offerings. However, it provided a comfortable ride for first- and second-row occupants with power-adjustable seats, though the high load floor made loading difficult.

The Armada also included nine cup holders and a large center console bin, despite lacking a convenient location for smartphones, leaving a less-than-ideal setup for small-item storage.

The technology installment of the 2021 Ford Expedition appeared somewhat dated with the aging Sync 3 infotainment system. Its user-friendly interface and features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Amazon Alexa integration were commendable. However, the 8-inch touchscreen looked small by modern standards and the system’s responsiveness lagged at times. Though equipped with a premium Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker audio system and wireless charging, the absence of a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment setup was notable.

Nissan, however, enhanced the Armada’s technological aspect profoundly for 2021. The standout 12.3-inch touchscreen dominated the interior setup, responsive and crisp. Features such as standard navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, multiple USB ports, WiFi hotspot, and NissanConnect Services gave it an edge. Higher trims boasted a 13-speaker Bose audio system, a rear camera mirror, and a second-row entertainment system, positioning the Armada ahead in technological sophistication.

Safety components in the 2021 Ford Expedition included the standard Ford Co-Pilot360, encompassing features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. It scored a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it had a mixed performance in rollover resistance ratings: three stars for RWD and four stars for 4WD models. Available options like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and semi-autonomous parking system increased its safety appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Armada, lacking extensive crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, offered the Safety Shield 360 with similar features such as automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. However, its calculated 23.7 percent rollover risk granted it a lower three-star rollover rating. Extras included adaptive cruise control, rear door alert, a rear camera mirror, and a surround-view camera system, though it missed out on advanced assist technologies like Nissan’s ProPilot Assist.