Compare the2023 GMC Yukon XLVS 2023 Nissan Armada

The Yukon XL (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 XL 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 XL 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 XL 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 XL is safer than the Nissan Armada:

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

The Yukon XL’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 XL’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 XL has a 5100 to 6000 RPM redline.

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

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 XL Denali’s standard 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 XL’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 XL gets better mileage than the Armada:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Yukon XL 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 XL’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 XL has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Armada (28.3 vs. 26 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Yukon XL 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 XL, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Armada.

The Yukon XL’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 XL 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Yukon XL’s wheelbase is 13 inches longer than on the Armada (134.1 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

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

The front grille of the Yukon XL (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 XL offers optional seating for 9 passengers; the Armada can only carry 8.

The Yukon XL has 16.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (170.8 vs. 154.5).

The Yukon XL 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, 8.3 inches more third row legroom, .6 inches more third row hip room and 2.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Armada.

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

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon XL’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 XL’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 XL 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 XL 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 XL, 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 SV/SL/Platinum offers a trailer sway program.

The Yukon XL (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 XL’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 XL’s front and rear power windows all lower 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 Armada’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon XL owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon XL will cost $190 to $1415 less than the Armada over a five-year period.

The Yukon XL will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Yukon XL will retain 49.87% to 50.71% of its original price after five years, while the Armada only retains 44.71% to 46.47%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Yukon XL is less expensive to operate than the Armada because typical repairs cost less on the Yukon XL 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 XL third among s 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 in its category.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Nissan Armada by almost seven to one during 2022.