There is something about driving a big vehicle like an SUV that is so satisfying. Since they are larger cars, they typically have more horsepower, and their performance and feel are a reflection of that power. These cars have a noticeable kick that can be felt behind the wheel. Additionally, SUVs are one of the most versatile vehicles as they have plenty more to offer than just that feeling of driving a hefty vehicle. Let’s compare two amazing modern SUVs on the market, the 2022 GMC Yukon vs 2022 Nissan Armada.
Which SUV is better suited for you? Well, as always, it comes down to what you want out of a vehicle. They both have enough similarity to draw in a common consumer, but they have just enough differences to be distinguishable from one another. Vehicle specification and base MSRP all play factors into deciding which is ultimately the best one.
Retractable Third Row
To begin, let’s start off by looking at one of the features that makes these vehicles similar. The third set of seats on both of these SUVs are fully retractable. This turns an already spacious trunk into a massive storage compartment. This adds so much versatility to the 2022 Nissan Armada and 2022 GMC Yukon. The SUV can change from being an eight-seater for a large family to being used to transport large items. Even with the third row up, the storage space on both of the cars is massive.
Speaking of space, this is an area where the 2022 GMC Yukon shines in. Its cargo space is noticeably larger than the 2022 Nissan Armada. The cargo space for the Yukon sits at 25.5 cu.ft. behind the third row, 72.6 cu.ft. behind the second row, and 122.9 cu.ft. when all the seats are down. This is noticeably larger than Nissan’s variant. The cargo space for the Armada sits at 16.5 cu.ft. behind the third row, 49.9 cu.ft. behind the second, and 96.2 cu.ft. at maximum. The extra space of the Yukon is appealing for those who want to get the larger of the two. After all, more car equals more fun!
Base MSRP
The cost of a vehicle can often determine whether you are even going to look at certain options of cars. So if we are classifying the better buy based on price alone, then the 2022 Nissan Armada takes the cake. Its base MSRP is $48,900. This is lower than the 2022 GMC Yukon’s base MSRP, which is priced at $52,100. That is about a $3,200 difference starting out. No one can argue the appeal of the more affordable vehicles; however, there are unique distinctions that justify the Yukons’ higher price value.
Engine Specifications
One of the main differences between cars is not what you can see on the outside (body panels, size, etc.), but rather what you can’t see on the inside! The engine is what can transform a simple car into a tool that is designed for a purpose. The 2022 GMC Yukon offers three engines to choose from, each with its own unique strengths. By comparison, the 2022 Nissan Armada only has one engine option across the entire trim lineup, so there really isn’t any flexibility there.
Since the Armada has just one engine, let’s start by examining it first. It has a 5.6L “Endurance” V8 engine. Its 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque give it a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Also, its fuel economy sits at around 14 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. There are two major elements that stick out here. Its towing capacity is pretty impressive. This SUV is not just built for transporting children from soccer practice; it has an outstanding capability of towing vehicles and other large objects.
Onto the other thing to note, the fuel economy. If we are being honest, the fuel economy numbers of this model aren’t great. This is not a characteristic exclusive to the Armada, however. That being said, this car will require more gas stops than the average car.
For the sake of brevity, not every single spec of the Yukon’s three engines will be examined. We will only look at what makes them distinguishable from each other and the Armada’s Endurance engine.
The standard engine is the 5.3L V8. It is slightly smaller than the Armada’s engine, and it produces slightly less horsepower than the Nissan Armada at 355 horsepower. Despite being smaller and not as powerful, its maximum towing capacity is 8,400 pounds. Additionally, its fuel economy is slightly better too. With this engine, you can expect to see roughly 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway. Essentially it gets some of the benefits of being a big engine while not experiencing the negative consequences as much.
If 355 horsepower is not great enough, and you do not mind lower fuel economy, then the 6.2L V8 engine is an appealing choice. It has the highest horsepower out of the engine options at 420 horsepower. This makes being behind the wheel of a Yukon feel like the beast of a car that it is.
If the fuel economy of the SUV is your biggest concern, then the Yukon’s third engine might be what you are looking for. The 3.0L turbo-diesel I-6 has the best fuel efficiency out of any of the engines. In fact, you are going to get an impressive 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. This is great for those who are just looking to use their SUV as a commuter vehicle as it will help cut back on gas trips by a large portion.
Off-Road Capability
The 2022 GMC Yukon can come with a unique set of rear struts. They call it the air ride adaptive suspension. A simplification of the way it works is that you can alter the distance of the rear suspension by up to 2 inches. When going off-roading, this is extremely handy. It goes a long way to ensure nothing in the undercarriage gets damaged with rocks kicking up and hitting the bottom. Maybe it cannot prevent every single rock, but it is designed to reduce the amount that will hit the undercarriage.
The Nissan Armada also offers some off-road capability in the form of Intelligent 4×4. This system automatically adjusts the torque output distribution to the front and rear wheels to maximize stability and control. This is good to have when traveling on the uneven trails; however, we have to say that the Yukon has the edge when it comes to an off-roading option.
Two SUVs but Only One Winner
Pitting the 2022 GMC Yukon against the 2022 Nissan Armada reveals that neither SUV is objectively superior as they both have their own unique distinction; however, our preference goes to the Yukon. The cost of the Armada is less than the Yukon, and its engine is relatively similar in specs. Meanwhile the GMC Yukon is slightly more pricey but has other features to offer to defend that higher price point. With three different engines to choose from, the ability to customize the vehicle makes up for the difference in MSRP. Conversely, the base model engine of the Yukon (5.3L V8) is not too far off in terms of specification to the Armada’s only engine. This means that even if you do stick with the base model engine, it is not like you are choosing an engine that is inferior in any way. While these types of choices will come down to preference, our preference goes to the 2022 GMC Yukon.
