2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered two models in the U.S.: the G550 and the AMG G63, both allowing extensive customization through the G Manufaktur Program. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system and a matching virtual instrument panel, creating a customizable and immersive driving environment. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous settings.

The 2021 Nissan Armada underwent a significant facelift, aligning its design with Nissan's new signature look. Available in S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims, the Armada's exterior updates included a new grille, fenders, and LED lighting, enhancing its modern appeal while maintaining its robust and athletic stance. The interior, however, felt dated despite tech upgrades, with a new 12.3-inch touchscreen and improved connectivity features. The Armada offered a spacious cabin with optional captain's chairs in the second row, though the third row was less accommodating for adults. Cargo space was ample but not class-leading, and the high load floor posed challenges for loading and unloading.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. It utilized a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, offering a dynamic driving experience with various driving modes, including "G-mode" for off-roading. The G550 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, impressive for its 5,551-pound weight. The AMG G63 variant took performance further with 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. Despite its size, the G-Class offered a smooth ride with advanced suspension systems, though its fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway for the G550.

The 2021 Nissan Armada was equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. It offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with four-wheel drive available. Despite its over 6,000-pound weight, the Armada was a capable off-roader with a robust suspension system and decent ground clearance. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with RWD models achieving 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 4WD models slightly lower. The Armada excelled in towing, with a best-in-class capacity of 8,500 pounds, but its handling and maneuverability were typical of a large SUV, requiring careful navigation in tight spaces.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a luxurious yet practical interior, with 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The cabin was spacious, with comfortable seating and ample storage options. However, some luxury features, like ventilated seats, were only available in expensive packages. The G-Class's exterior spare tire was both a styling cue and a practical feature.

The 2021 Nissan Armada provided practicality for families, with a spacious interior and standard running boards for easy access. It featured a new 12.3-inch touchscreen, though some controls were hard to reach. The Armada offered comfortable seating in the first and second rows, with optional captain's chairs reducing seating capacity to seven. Cargo space was 16.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 95.4 cubic feet with all seats folded. However, the high load floor made loading challenging, and small-item storage was limited.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasted advanced tech features, including twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system. These screens were customizable, allowing drivers to tailor the display to their preferences. The G-Class included a Burmester Surround Sound system, WiFi, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. However, it lacked wireless device charging. The COMAND system and unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel offered intuitive control over the vehicle's functions.

The 2021 Nissan Armada featured a class-leading 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering clear visuals and responsive controls. Standard tech included navigation, a six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth, USB ports, WiFi, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Optional features included a wireless charging pad, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and a rearview camera mirror. The Armada Platinum trim came with these features as standard. The steering wheel provided limited control over the infotainment system, but it was functional.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a range of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, its active lane-keeping assist could be abrupt, requiring careful use. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for crash-worthiness.

The 2021 Nissan Armada came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Armada had a three-star rollover rating from the NHTSA, with a 23.7-percent rollover risk. Advanced driving assist technologies like ProPilot Assist were not available.