Compare the2022 Nissan ArmadaVS 2021 GMC Yukon XL

The Armada has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Armada has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Armada’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Yukon XL.

The Armada has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Yukon XL’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Armada has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Yukon XL.

The Armada’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Armada and the Yukon XL have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Armada’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Yukon XL’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the Armada has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the Yukon XL.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Armada first among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Yukon XL isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan 21st in reliability. With 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, GMC is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than GMC vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 3 places higher in reliability than GMC.

The Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 45 more horsepower (400 vs. 355) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 383) than the Yukon XL’s standard 5.3 V8.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Armada uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Yukon XL Denali requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Armada’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Yukon XL:

The rear suspension of the Armada uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Yukon XL, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

For better maneuverability, the Armada’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Yukon XL’s (41.3 feet vs. 42.3 feet). The Armada’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Yukon XL w/20-22 inch wheels’ (41.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

The Armada is 1 foot, 4.3 inches shorter than the Yukon XL, making the Armada easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Armada SL/Midnight/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Yukon XL doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Armada’s middle row seats recline, and the Armada Platinum’s third row seats also recline. The Yukon XL’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Yukon XL’s (8500 vs. 7500 pounds).

The Armada’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Yukon XL’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Armada the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Yukon XL can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Armada is less expensive to operate than the Yukon XL because it costs $200 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Armada than the Yukon XL, including $226 less for a water pump, $490 less for a muffler, $36 less for front brake pads, $70 less for fuel injection, $145 less for a fuel pump and $128 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Armada will be $112 to $4270 less than for the GMC Yukon XL.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Armada second among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Yukon XL isn’t in the top three.