2025 Ford Explorer vs 2025 Nissan Armada

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its previous redesign, maintaining its rear-wheel-drive platform that contributed to its balanced proportions and sleek design. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, giving it a wider and more ruggedly handsome appearance. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern look. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials and design making it more competitive in its segment. Ford streamlined the trim levels, offering four options: Active, ST-Line, Platinum, and ST, with prices ranging from $39,755 to $55,505, excluding destination charges.

The 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a bold design with a high beltline and a prominent grille, reminiscent of its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80. The PRO-4X trim stood out with its skid plate and unique front fascia. The Armada's side profile appeared larger and more business-like, with distinctive accents and round wheel arches. The rear featured C-shaped LED taillights and a fashionable lightbar on higher trims. Inside, the Armada offered a premium feel, especially in the Platinum Reserve trim, with leather upholstery and a luxurious cabin ambiance. The Armada's interior space was enhanced, with increased cargo volume and improved passenger comfort, particularly in the third row.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer ST and optional Platinum trim featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 delivering 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All Explorers had a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. The ST-Line test vehicle averaged 23.8 mpg with its turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, while the twin-turbo V6 offered fast acceleration and a pleasant sound. The Explorer's handling was commendable, with a firm ride and good grip from its Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the high-performance GT-R, producing 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, and all trims except the PRO-4X offered rear-wheel drive or Nissan's Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive. The PRO-4X featured dedicated 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential. The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension provided a 33-degree approach angle and 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The Armada's towing capacity reached 8,500 pounds, and its updated electric power steering offered a nice sense of engagement. Off-road, the PRO-4X excelled with its adaptive air suspension and Mud/Rut mode.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the optional Premium Package, which added ambient lighting, massage seats, and a power-folding third-row seat. The Explorer's front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts. The second-row captain's chairs were equally comfortable, and manual rear side window shades were included. The third row was less comfortable for adults but suitable for children. Cargo space measured 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad. The Armada Platinum Reserve offered "Zero Gravity" seats, which were comfortable but felt deep. The Armada's seating options included a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with power one-touch folding for the third row. 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. The Armada's headroom and legroom varied depending on the presence of a sunroof, with improvements in third-row legroom.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L satellite radio. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot was available, and the system was user-friendly, with Google Maps integration and app downloads through Google Play. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers in the Platinum and ST trims.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came with two large screens, 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims, and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. The screens were housed side by side and remained flat rather than curved. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. Google Built-In was available on the SL trim and above, allowing Google Maps to be viewed on the driver-information display. A head-up display was optional, and the Armada featured a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System starting at the SL trim level.

The 2025 Ford Explorer came equipped with Ford CoPilot 360+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist technology. The ST-Line trim and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well in testing, though it occasionally required driver intervention. The 2025 Explorer had not yet received full safety ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The SV and PRO-4X trims had the basic version, while higher trims offered ProPILOT Assist 1.1 and the option for ProPILOT Assist 2.1, which included hands-free highway-driving assist technology. The Armada also came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included features like traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. A surround-view camera was standard on the SL trim and above, with additional camera features on higher trims.