The 2017 Nissan Armada ranks 6 out of 6 Large SUVs. Nissan reintroduced the Armada for the 2017 model year, and it has a quiet ride, above-average cabin quality, a powerful engine, and spacious second-row seats. However, the front seats are less roomy than in rival SUVs, and the infotainment system feels a step behind many rival systems.
Pros Powerful engine Quiet ride Quality cabin materials Sprawling second-row seats
Cons Antiquated infotainment system Subpar cargo space Disappointing first- and third-row seats
After rotting on the vine for years, the 2017 Nissan Armada's redesign brings it upscale and makes it competitive with its recently updated truck-based full-size SUV rivals. With the 2017 Armada, Nissan has adopted what is basically a U.S. version of the global Nissan Patrol SUV. The new Armada is a soul mate of the Infiniti QX80 once again, with a body-on-frame design and its eight-passenger seating. To distinguish it from the QX80, it gets new styling and new engineering, plus additional safety features.
Pros More modern looks Quiet cabin Ready power Good choice for towing Room for people and their stuff
Cons Thirsty Big and heavy Slow steering Tight third-row seat
The redesigned 2017 Nissan Armada is a substantial improvement over the vehicle it replaces. If you're looking for a big three-row SUV that can tow and venture off the beaten path but also comfortably handle the daily urban grind, the new Armada will be a great choice. After a one-year hiatus, the Nissan Armada is back for 2017. Fully redesigned, it boasts a higher quality interior, a more powerful V8 engine and a new, more chiseled look for its exterior styling.
Pros Higher-quality cabin that betters most competitors Smooth and quiet V8 engine More comfortable and less trucklike to drive than some rival SUVs Plenty of ground clearance for off-road adventures.
Cons Fuel economy is poor, even for this class of vehicle Third-row seat is less spacious and comfortable than those of some SUV and crossover rivals Heavy steering in parking lots.
The 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport adds two new dimensions to its performance profile: a turbodiesel V-6 and a supercharged HST edition. For the 2016 model year, it adds two new sources of power—one more frugal, one not so much.The current Range Rover Sport is much lighter and more nimble than the first-generation model. It took unsexy materials science to make the Sport more slinky. Like the Range Rover, the Sport's body is now made from glued-and-riveted aluminum, a switch from steel that's said to be 800 pounds lighter.
Pros Crisp styling blends Range Rover, Evoque Rorty supercharged V-6, thundering supercharged V-8 Serene, stately cabin "5+2" seating offers expanded utility Masters both kinds of driving—on and off-road
Cons Big jump from base to Autobiography "+2" seating is only for kids, only for very short trips Still expensive
From its iconic square-edge styling to its impressive off-road credentials, Land Rover’s 2016 Range Rover Sport luxury SUV is in a league of its own. The Brit’s ability to marry wood, leather and plastic produces an interior second to none, which may help justify the Range Rover Sport’s lofty price over a similarly equipped Audi Q7 or BMW X5. Land Rover knows exclusivity has its price, and those with adequate means don’t usually quibble over window stickers. While we know the vast majority of 2016 Range Rover Sports will never see anything but paved roads, it’s nice to know that this luxury SUV is an incredibly competent off-road vehicle, one of the best in the world, in fact.
Pros If exclusivity and capability are the hallmarks of what you want in your next luxury SUV, the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport won’t disappoint. When equipped with the supercharged V8, the Sport can give even the Porsche Cayenne a run for its money.
Cons If you seek luxury, capability and status in an SUV with a lower price tag and a better service history than the Range Rover Sport, an Acura MDX, Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz GL is a better choice. Even the smaller Land Rover Discovery Sport is a more palatable option.
Stylish, athletic and luxurious, with an optional third-row seat and diesel powertrain to boot, the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a well-rounded premium SUV. Every vehicle is a compromise, and yet the 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport tries to do it all — and we'll be darned if it doesn't come close. Here's a vehicle that can go from a muddy, rutted trail directly to a racetrack (a transition we've actually experienced in the 550-horsepower SVR model) and feel confident in both locales. Naturally, luxury is also a big part of the equation, as the Range Rover Sport coddles its occupants with comfortable seats and high-end materials throughout the cabin.
Pros Composed handling Powerful supercharged V8 Fuel-efficient diesel option Available seven-passenger seating True off-road capability.
Cons Third-row seat just for kids Unimpressive fuel economy with gasoline engines Modest cargo capacity.