Compare the2023 Nissan ArmadaVS 2023 Ford Expedition Max

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Nissan Armada are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Expedition Max doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

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 Expedition Max doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Armada and the Expedition Max 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 Nissan Armada is safer than the Ford Expedition Max:

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 9 places higher in reliability than Ford.

The Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 20 more horsepower (400 vs. 380) than the Expedition Max’s standard 3.5 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Armada is faster than the Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum:

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

The Armada stops much shorter than the Expedition Max:

The Armada has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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

For better maneuverability, the Armada’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Expedition Max’s (41.3 feet vs. 43.3 feet).

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

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition Max’s (8500 vs. 6000 pounds).

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 Expedition Max can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the Armada SL/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Expedition Max’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Nissan Armada will be $1294 to $3169 less than for the Ford Expedition Max.