2025 Nissan Armada vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing reputation as an automotive institution, with its massive size and familiar presence on the road. Despite its imposing dimensions, it blended seamlessly into traffic, offering a sense of normalcy rather than novelty. At nearly 19 feet long and over six feet tall, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, it catered to a specific market segment that valued its cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing prowess. Available in six trims, the Suburban offered a range of features, from basic niceties like automatic windshield wipers and LED headlights to more luxurious options like leather upholstery and power-adjustable seats. While the interior was comfortable, even the top-spec High Country trim felt somewhat pedestrian, lacking the premium feel expected at its price point.

In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Armada presented a bold and business-like appearance, with a high beltline and a striking grille that set it apart from its predecessor. The third-generation Armada appeared larger and more refined, with distinctive design elements like the ARMADA-emblazoned accent strip and round wheel arches. The PRO-4X trim emphasized its off-road capabilities with features like skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the Armada offered a premium feel, even in the more rugged PRO-4X trim, with leather seats and a padded center console. Higher trims like the Platinum Reserve featured luxurious touches like quilting and unique color combinations. The Armada's cabin exuded a sense of luxury, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for drivers seeking a refined SUV experience.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options, including two V8s and a straight-six diesel. The standard 5.3-liter V8 engine delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for most driving needs. With the Max Trailering Package, it could tow up to 8,300 pounds. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, offered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing smoother acceleration. The Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel six-cylinder, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offered better fuel economy and was a cost-effective option on the High Country trim. The Suburban's 10-speed automatic transmission was well-tuned, and its electronic button-style shift mechanism freed up center console space. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with four-wheel drive available on most trims. The Suburban's steering and brakes were up to the task, and its height-adjustable air suspension handled rough roads with ease.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the high-performance GT-R. It produced 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, offering a significant boost over its predecessor. The new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, and all trims except the PRO-4X were available with rear-wheel drive or Nissan's Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive. The PRO-4X trim featured off-road enhancements like an electronic locking rear differential and metal skid plates. The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve trim, provided excellent ground clearance and off-road capability. Every 4WD Armada included hill-descent control and an off-road information display. The Armada's towing capacity reached 8,500 pounds, with standard trailer sway control and other towing aids. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering offered a nice sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension provided comfort and capability both on and off the road.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage capacity. The Suburban's 28-gallon fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's 26-mpg highway rating, allowed for long-distance travel between fill-ups.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad. The Armada's "Zero Gravity" seats provided comfort, though they felt a bit deep. The SUV offered standard eight-way driver's-side power adjustment, with higher trims offering more customization. Heated front seats were standard on the SL trim, with cooling and second-row heating available on higher trims. The Armada's cargo volume increased across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 97.1 cubic feet in total. While it fell short of some American rivals in passenger space, it offered more room than the Toyota Sequoia.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with Google Built-in providing access to essential apps without phone pairing. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were included, and a rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option. The 10-speaker Bose audio system offered good fidelity but lacked the richness of higher-speaker-count systems.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came standard with two large screens, 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims, and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. Google Built-In was available starting at the SL trim, allowing for native Google Maps integration. A head-up display was optional, and the SL trim introduced a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System. The collaboration with Klipsch provided a high-quality audio experience, appealing to audiophiles.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Premier and High Country trims offered Super Cruise as part of the Advanced Technology Package, providing semi-autonomous driving capabilities on pre-mapped roads.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite, with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering steering assistance. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 added proactive speed management, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 offered hands-free highway-driving assist. Nissan Safety Shield 360 included features like traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera and Nissan's 3D Around View Monitor, enhancing visibility and safety.