Compare the2023 Nissan ArmadaVS 2023 Lexus GX

Both the Armada and the GX 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 Nissan Armada weighs 459 to 908 pounds more than the Lexus GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Armada’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Armada’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Armada has a standard 150-amp alternator. The GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 99 more horsepower (400 vs. 301) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Armada is faster than the Lexus GX:

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

The Armada has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (26 vs. 23 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A seven-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Armada, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

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

The Armada stops shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the Armada SL’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (275/60R20 vs. 265/60R18).

The Armada Platinum’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Armada Platinum has standard 22-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

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 GX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Nissan Armada has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Armada’s wheelbase is 11.3 inches longer than on the GX (121.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Armada is 5.1 inches wider in the front and 5.5 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

For greater off-road capability the Armada S/SV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.1 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Armada to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Armada SL/Platinum’s minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the GX (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches).

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 GX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Armada has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry 7.

The Armada has 24.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (154.5 vs. 129.7).

The Armada has 2.9 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 8.4 inches more front shoulder room, 6.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room, 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.2 inches more third row headroom, 5.7 inches more third row hip room and 6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

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

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

The Armada’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Armada SL/Platinum has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the GX’s (8500 vs. 6500 pounds).

The Armada’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Armada’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Armada S/SV/SL’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Armada’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Nissan Armada SV/SL/Platinum has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Armada is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Armada is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Armada than the GX, including $184 less for a water pump, $131 less for a muffler, $290 less for a starter, $128 less for fuel injection, $91 less for a fuel pump, $140 less for a timing belt/chain and $417 less for a power steering pump.