Compare the2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee LVS 2024 Nissan Armada

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Armada doesn’t offer knee airbags.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’s standard Hill-descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Armada doesn’t offer Hill-descent Control.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The Armada doesn’t offer a night vision system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Grand Cherokee L uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Armada uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Grand Cherokee L 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, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Armada has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance on the Grand Cherokee L for 2 years and unlimited miles. Jeep will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 2 visits). Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Armada.

There are over 2 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Grand Cherokee L’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 Grand Cherokee L has a 5800 to 6700 RPM redline.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Grand Cherokee L has a standard 160-amp alternator (180-amp - Grand Cherokee L optional and 220 optional). The Armada’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Grand Cherokee L has a standard 850-amp battery. The Armada’s 780-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the Grand Cherokee L is under the seat, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Grand Cherokee L’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Armada’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

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

As tested in Motor Trend the Jeep Grand Cherokee L V8 is faster than the Nissan Armada:

On the EPA test cycle the Grand Cherokee L gets better mileage than the Armada:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Grand Cherokee L 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 Grand Cherokee L V6’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 Grand Cherokee L 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Grand Cherokee L higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Nissan Armada (3 to 5). This means the Grand Cherokee L produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Armada every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Jeep Grand Cherokee L, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Armada.

The Grand Cherokee L stops shorter than the Armada:

The Grand Cherokee L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Armada SV’s standard 70 series tires. The Grand Cherokee L Summit’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Armada Platinum’s 50 series tires.

The Grand Cherokee L 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.

The Grand Cherokee L Limited 4x4 handles at .82 G’s, while the Armada Platinum 4x4 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the Armada Platinum 4x4 (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Grand Cherokee L’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Armada’s (38.4 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Armada SL/Platinum (10.9 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the Grand Cherokee L to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1150 pounds less than the Nissan Armada.

The Grand Cherokee L is 4 inches shorter than the Armada, making the Grand Cherokee L easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction lowers the Grand Cherokee L’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Armada doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Grand Cherokee L has an electronically controlled liquid-filled main engine mount. A computer-controlled electric current in the liquid changes its viscosity, allowing the mount to dampen the engine completely at all RPMs. The Armada uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The design of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L amounts to more than styling. The Grand Cherokee L has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .357 Cd. That is lower than the Armada (.37). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Grand Cherokee L get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the Grand Cherokee L 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 Grand Cherokee L has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Armada (159.1 vs. 154.5).

The Grand Cherokee L has .9 inches more third row headroom and 1.9 inches more third row legroom than the Armada.

The front step up height for the Grand Cherokee L is 2.1 inches lower than the Armada (20.2” vs. 22.3”). The Grand Cherokee L’s rear step up height is 2.5 inches lower than the Armada’s (20.2” vs. 22.7”).

The Grand Cherokee L’s cargo area provides more volume than the Armada.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Grand Cherokee L easier. The Grand Cherokee L’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 32.2 inches, while the Armada’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’s 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 Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’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 Grand Cherokee L 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 Grand Cherokee L can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Armada can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Armada SL/Platinum, the Grand Cherokee L Overland Luxury Tech/Summit has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster), outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge 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 Grand Cherokee L’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 Grand Cherokee L Overland/Summit’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.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Grand Cherokee L has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Armada doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Grand Cherokee L to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Armada doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the Grand Cherokee L’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The Armada doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Grand Cherokee L Overland Luxury Tech/Summit 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 Grand Cherokee L Summit’s Parallel and Perpendicular 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.

The Grand Cherokee L will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Grand Cherokee L will retain 53.16% to 56.1% of its original price after five years, while the Armada only retains 44.85% to 46.08%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee L will be $9921 to $14916 less than for the Nissan Armada.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee outsold the Nissan Armada by almost 12 to one during 2023.