Compare the2024 Ford ExpeditionVS 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 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.

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Expedition has standard Cross Traffic Alert with Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Armada Platinum offers Intelligent Back-Up Intervention.

Both the Expedition 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 is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Expedition	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 is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Expedition	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 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’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 has a 6000 to 6200 RPM redline.

The Expedition 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’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’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 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 Timberline/Stealth Performance’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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Nissan Armada:

	Expedition	Armada
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	14.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Expedition
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	17 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
		Timberline 3.5 turbo V6	16 city/19 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’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 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 higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Armada (3 to 5). This means the Expedition produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Armada every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition, 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’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Armada (285/45R22 vs. 275/60R20).

The Expedition’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Armada Platinum’s 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Expedition 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’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’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Armada (122.5 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

The Expedition XLT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the Armada Platinum 4x4 pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Armada Platinum 4x4 (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Armada S/SV (9.8 vs. 9.1 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the Armada SL/Platinum (10.6 vs. 9.2 inches).

Chassis

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 400 pounds less than the Nissan Armada.

The front grille of the Expedition 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 has 17.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (171.9 vs. 154.5).

The Expedition 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, .9 inches more third row headroom, 7.7 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and 3.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the Armada.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Expedition	Armada
Behind Third Seat	19.3 cubic feet	16.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	49.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	104.6 cubic feet	95.4 cubic feet

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

	Expedition	Armada
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	18.8”/49.4”/85.8”	19”/48”/87”
Max Width	58.4”	49.2”
Min Width	51.2”	49.2”
Height	36.9”	35.2”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Expedition’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’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’s available 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 offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition 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 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, 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 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’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’s optional 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’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Armada doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Expedition’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 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 (except STX/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

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the Armada because typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the Armada, including $101 less for a water pump, $165 less for a muffler, $8 less for front brake pads, $286 less for a starter, $157 less for fuel injection, $142 less for a fuel pump, $187 less for front struts and $390 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its April 2018 issue and they ranked the Ford Expedition XLT 4x4 first. They ranked the Nissan Armada Platinum 4x4 fourth.

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