Compare the2023 Ford Expedition MaxVS 2023 Nissan Armada

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition Max inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The Armada doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

The Expedition Max has standard Post-Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Armada doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Expedition Max 4x4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Armada doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Expedition Max 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, 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 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Expedition Max is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Expedition Max	Armada
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	165	258
Neck Injury Risk	32%	43%
Neck Stress	361 lbs.	377 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	877/369 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.9 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	38%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	251 lbs.
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	153 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	271/178 lbs.	509/594 lbs.

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 Ford Expedition Max is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Expedition Max	Armada
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	27
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
HIC	134	437
Hip Force	569 lbs.	684 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Expedition Max is 1.1% to 4.4% less likely to roll over than the Armada.

Warranty

There are almost 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition Max’s warranty.

Reliability

The Armada’s redline is at 60050 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Expedition Max has a 6000 to 6200 RPM redline.

The Expedition Max has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Armada doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Expedition Max’s reliability 12 points higher than the Armada.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Expedition Max’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 57 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Max Stealth’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 40 more horsepower (440 vs. 400) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition Max gets better mileage than the Armada:

			MPG
Expedition Max
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/21 hwy
Armada
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/19 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/18 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition Max’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 Expedition Max has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Armada (27.8 vs. 26 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Expedition Max 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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Expedition Max higher (5 out of 10) than the Nissan Armada (3). This means the Expedition Max produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Armada every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

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

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Expedition Max has larger standard tires than the Armada (275/65R18 vs. 265/70R18). The Expedition Max’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Armada (285/45R22 vs. 275/60R20).

The Expedition Max’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 Expedition Max’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Armada Platinum’s 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Expedition Max offers an optional 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.

The Expedition Max’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Armada doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition Max’s wheelbase is 10.5 inches longer than on the Armada (131.6 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Armada Platinum 4x4 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Expedition Max Platinum 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Armada Platinum 4x4 (28 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition Max has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Armada S/SV (9.7 vs. 9.1 inches), allowing the Expedition Max to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Max’s minimum ground clearance is .5 inch higher than on the Armada SL/Platinum (9.7 vs. 9.2 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Expedition Max 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.

Passenger Space

The Expedition Max has 17.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (172 vs. 154.5).

The Expedition Max has 1.1 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 7.7 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and 3.8 inches more third row shoulder room than the Armada.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Expedition Max	Armada
Behind Third Seat	34.3 cubic feet	16.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	73.3 cubic feet	49.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	121.5 cubic feet	95.4 cubic feet

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Expedition Max’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Armada doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The Expedition Max’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Armada’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Expedition Max Limited/King Ranch/Platinum’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.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Armada is limited to 8500 pounds. The Expedition Max offers up to a 9000 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition Max 4x4 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 Expedition Max 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 Expedition Max, using the AdvanceTrac® 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 SV/SL/Platinum offers a trailer sway program.

Servicing Ease

The Expedition Max has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Armada doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

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

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition Max’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Armada doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition Max’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Armada SV/SL/Platinum.

The Expedition Max Platinum 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 Expedition Max (except XLT)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Armada doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition Max owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition Max will cost $235 less than the Armada over a five-year period.

The Expedition Max will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Expedition Max will retain 48.88% to 49.73% of its original price after five years, while the Armada only retains 44.71% to 46.47%.

Recommendations

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Nissan Armada by over five to one during 2022.

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