2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Nissan Armada

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. Its conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it carried too much visual weight over its front wheels. The rear quarter view was its best angle, with Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design lending an upscale appearance. Inside, the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers, contributing to a sense of sophistication.

The 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a strikingly high beltline, reminiscent of its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80. Its grille and front fascia appeared taller, aided by higher ground clearance and a limited lower grille portion. The PRO-4X trim stood out with a skid plate and unique front lighting signature featuring C-shaped LED lines. From the side, the Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar design. The PRO-4X trim added rugged character with black plastic cladding and Lava Red accents. The rear featured standard LED taillights and a fashionable red lightbar on higher trims. Wheel options ranged from 18-inch on the SV to 22-inch on the Platinum Reserve, with unique designs for the PRO-4X. Inside, both the Platinum Reserve and PRO-4X trims offered premium interiors, with leather seats and various color combinations, creating a luxurious cabin atmosphere.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels. The hybrid system operated transparently, with the gasoline engine sometimes acting as an onboard generator. The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid achieved an EPA-estimated 37 mpg in combined driving, though our test returned 32.4 mpg on a mountainous route. The SUV provided a compliant ride with predictable handling, impressive grip, and reliable brakes. However, the steering effort was unusually heavy, even in Normal mode. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, though it lacked off-road capability and excitement for spirited driving.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, and all trims except the PRO-4X offered rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. The PRO-4X trim featured off-road enhancements, including an electronic locking rear differential and metal skid plates. The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve, provided a 33-degree approach angle and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The Armada could tow up to 8,500 pounds and included trailer sway control and a trailer brake controller. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering offered engagement, while off-road, the adaptive air suspension excelled in challenging conditions.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the front passenger seat offered similar comfort with limited adjustments. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced comfort. The CR-V's wide rear doors and roomy back seat made it ideal for families, with ample legroom and adjustable backrest angles. Cargo space varied, with the Sport Touring offering 34.7 cubic feet, while other trims provided up to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad. The Platinum Reserve trim offered "Zero Gravity" seats, though they felt deep. The Armada provided standard eight-way 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 three-row seating included power-folding third-row seats, increasing cargo space. Cargo volume improved across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 behind the second, and 97.1 in total. The Armada's headroom and legroom varied, with improvements in some areas and reductions in others.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 9-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were reserved for higher trims, along with wireless charging and a premium audio system. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the CR-V featured a walk-away automatic locking feature for added security.

The 2025 Nissan Armada offered two large screens, with 12.3-inch displays on lower trims and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. The SL trim added a wireless charging pad and Google Built-In, allowing Google Maps to be viewed on the driver-information display. A head-up display was optional, and a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System was standard on higher trims. The Armada's infotainment system provided a clear advantage with its integration of Google Maps and premium audio experience.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The CR-V earned impressive ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and received a Top Safety Pick+ award for 2023.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came with Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite, with enhanced versions available on higher trims. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 added proactive speed management, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 offered hands-free highway-driving assist. The Armada also included Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and more. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera and Nissan's 3D Around View Monitor, enhancing safety and visibility.