2026 Nissan Armada vs 2026 Lexus TX

The 2026 Nissan Armada was a striking departure from the typical bulky SUV aesthetic, incorporating a sportier design reminiscent of Nissan's crossovers. Despite its boxy shape with hard angles on the A-pillars and D-pillars, the Armada featured softer curves on the bumpers and fenders, creating a balanced surface contrast. The imposing double-bracketed running lights and wide chrome bars across the grille added to its commanding presence. Compared to its American counterparts like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, the Armada was more svelte, aligning closer in size to the Toyota Sequoia but with a more refined finish. The NISMO variant, with its Tokyo street style, was a bold experiment, featuring unique elements like bright red accent lines and a Stealth Gray paint shared only with the Z model. Inside, the Armada boasted a red and black theme with microsuede accents, metal pedal covers, and a NISMO tachometer, offering a high level of quality and design not typically found in non-luxury SUVs.

The 2026 Lexus TX, available in various trims, maintained a large grille reminiscent of the older "spindle grille" shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting. The 550h+ plug-in hybrid stood out with its standard panoramic glass roof and Matador Red Mica paint. While the TX offered a spacious interior with features like multi-zone climate control and heated seats, the material quality fell short of luxury standards, with basic plastics present. The redesigned door handles, which reacted to pressure rather than pulling out, were a unique but unnecessary feature. The TX's interior offered a mix of practicality and comfort, with a spacious third row and ample cargo space, but the overall material quality and attention to detail were lacking compared to competitors like the Volvo XC90 and Mercedes-Benz GLE plug-in hybrids.

The 2026 Nissan Armada was equipped with a powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most potent in its class. The NISMO variant further boosted output to 460 hp with premium fuel, offering a smooth and refined driving experience. The Armada's nine-speed automatic transmission provided seamless power delivery, and its air suspension, available on select trims, offered exceptional body control and ride quality. Despite its weight, the Armada was quick and effortless, with a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. However, its fuel economy was on par with other full-size SUVs, estimated at 16 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined for 4WD trims.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a range of powertrains, with the plug-in hybrid 550h+ generating 404 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V6 and hybrid system. The TX provided various drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and Custom, allowing drivers to tailor their experience. The 550h+ delivered a quiet and smooth ride, with seamless transitions between gas and electric power. Its AWD system offered flexibility, distributing power between the front and rear wheels as needed. While the TX excelled in providing a comfortable ride, it lacked the aggressive performance of a sports car, with the standard 500h hybrid offering better handling with adaptive suspension and rear steering.

The 2026 Nissan Armada offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with generous headroom across all three rows. While it fell short in legroom compared to longer American SUVs, its "Zero Gravity" cushioning provided exceptional comfort. The Armada's interior featured a user-friendly layout with simple controls and excellent visibility, aided by 360-degree cameras. Cargo capacity was ample, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension on select trims allowed for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2026 Lexus TX provided standard luxury features, including multi-zone climate control and heated seats. The third row was spacious, accommodating full-sized adults comfortably. However, folding the second row flat was cumbersome due to a series of levers. The front seats offered roominess but lacked thigh support. The TX's cargo space was impressive, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 97 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The available kick sensor in the liftgate facilitated easy access to the cargo area.

The 2026 Nissan Armada came standard with two 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM with 360L satellite radio. Upgrading to the SL trim added features like Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Wi-Fi. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Klipsch stereo and additional USB ports. ProPilot Assist 2.2 with hands-free operation was optional on most trims, enhancing the driving experience. The Platinum and Pro-4X trims included a built-in dash cam and NissanConnect services for added security.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured a 14-inch color touchscreen, but some tech aspects lacked refinement. The infotainment system occasionally conflicted with smartphone connectivity, and the steering wheel controls were confusing. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, in-dash navigation required a subscription. The TX offered a clear back-up camera with an available bird’s-eye view and Advanced Park system for automated parking. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices remained powered.

The 2026 Nissan Armada included a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control, driver-attention monitor, and surround-view camera system. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Armada's standard safety features provided reassurance. It also came with a range of airbags, including a front far-side airbag on the Platinum Reserve.

The 2026 Lexus TX came standard with Safety System+ 3.0, offering features like forward collision warning, Lane Tracing Assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. While the adaptive cruise control was effective, setting it up was challenging. The TX 350 and 500h received high safety ratings from NHTSA, and the TX earned good scores from IIHS in various crash tests.