Compare the2023 GMC YukonVS 2022 Nissan Armada

The Yukon (except SLE with front bench seat) has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Armada doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Yukon AT4/Denali 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Armada doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Yukon and the Armada 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, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Nissan Armada:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Yukon is safer than the Nissan Armada:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Yukon’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Armada’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 55 percent more GMC dealers than there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Yukon’s warranty.

The Armada’s redline is at 60050 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Yukon has a 5100 to 6000 RPM redline.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Yukon has a standard 220-amp alternator (250-amp - Yukon Diesel). The Armada’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon second among large suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Armada isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that GMC vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks GMC above average in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that GMC vehicles are more reliable than Nissan With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks GMC higher than Nissan.

The Yukon’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 20 more horsepower (420 vs. 400) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

The Yukon’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon gets better mileage than the Armada:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Yukon V8’s fuel efficiency. The Armada doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Yukon’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Armada doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Yukon has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Armada doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the GMC Yukon, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Armada.

The Yukon SLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 65 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Armada S/SV’s standard 70 series tires.

The Yukon offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Armada’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Yukon’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Armada’s (38.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet). The Yukon w/20-22 inch wheels’ turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Armada’s (39.7 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Yukon AT4 Air Ride has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Armada SL/Platinum (10 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the Yukon to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the Yukon (except Diesel) uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Armada doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Yukon offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Armada can only carry 8.

The Yukon has 13.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (168.3 vs. 154.5).

The Yukon has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.8 inches more third row headroom, 6.5 inches more third row legroom, .6 inches more third row hip room and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Armada.

The Yukon’s cargo area provides more volume than the Armada.

The Yukon’s cargo area is larger than the Armada’s in every dimension:

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon’s (except SLE) optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Armada doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Yukon’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Armada doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Yukon 4WD with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Yukon can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Armada can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Trailer Sway Control is standard on all models of the Yukon, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. Only the Armada SL/Platinum offers a trailer sway program.

The Yukon (except SLE/SLT) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Armada doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Yukon’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Armada’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Yukon’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Armada S/SV/SL’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Yukon Denali Ultimate has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Armada.

The Yukon Denali’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Armada doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Yukon with a number “6” insurance rate while the Armada is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon is less expensive to operate than the Armada because typical repairs cost less on the Yukon than the Armada, including $180 less for a starter, $173 less for front struts and $184 less for a power steering pump.

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

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Nissan Armada by over four to one during the 2021 model year.