Compare the2025 GMC Yukon XLVS 2024 Nissan Armada

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Yukon XL and Armada have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Yukon XL has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Armada’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

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 4WD’s optional 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 Yukon XL Ultimate 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.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Yukon XL has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear 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 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and driver alert monitors.

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:

	Yukon XL	Armada
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	146	258
Neck Injury Risk	23%	43%
Neck Stress	312 lbs.	377 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	95 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	152/161 lbs.	877/369 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	233	255
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.9 inches
Neck Compression	66 lbs.	153 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 GMC Yukon XL is safer than the Nissan Armada:

	Yukon XL	Armada
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	25	27
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Hip Force	118 lbs.	144 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches
HIC	239	437
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	39 G’s

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

Warranty

The Yukon XL’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Armada’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 54 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.

Reliability

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.

Engine

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 82 lbs.-ft. more torque (495 vs. 413) than the Armada’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Yukon XL gets better mileage than the Armada:

			MPG
Yukon XL
	RWD	5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy
	AWD	5.3 OHV V8	14 city/19 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy
Armada
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/19 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/18 hwy

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.

Transmission

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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Yukon XL	Armada
Front Rotors	16.1 inches	13.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Yukon XL has larger standard tires than the Armada (275/60R20 vs. 265/70R18). The Yukon XL Denali Ultimate’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Armada (285/40R24 vs. 275/60R20).

The Yukon XL AT4’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 Yukon XL Denali Ultimate’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Armada Platinum’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Yukon XL has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Armada SV. The Yukon XL Denali Ultimate’s optional 24-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels on the Armada Platinum.

Suspension and Handling

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).

Chassis

The front grille of the Yukon XL 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 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, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear legroom, 2.9 inches more rear hip room, 1.3 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.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Yukon XL	Armada
Behind Third Seat	41.5 cubic feet	16.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	93.6 cubic feet	49.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	144.5 cubic feet	95.4 cubic feet

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Yukon XL’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 Yukon XL AT4/Denali’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind 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

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.

Ergonomics

The Yukon XL offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction, infotainment and driver assistance information 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.

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

The Yukon XL’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Intelligent Key standard on the Armada doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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 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 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Armada SL/Platinum.

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

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Yukon XL owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Yukon XL will cost $535 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 53.07% to 55.7% of its original price after five years, while the Armada only retains 44.85% to 46.08%.

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.

Recommendations

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Yukon XL second among large suvs 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.

The GMC Yukon/Yukon XL outsold the Nissan Armada by almost four to one during 2023.