Starting at
Starting at
| 400 | Max Horsepower (HP) | 390 |
| 480 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 394 |
| 17/23 MPG | Fuel Economy (city/hwy) | 14/19 MPG |
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting behind the wheel of an SUV, especially a large SUV. Compared to many smaller vehicles, a large SUV gives you an elevated seating position, so you can see everything going on around you on the road. There’s a certain safety aspect in being more aware of your surroundings while driving, but that’s only one of many reasons you might be looking into an SUV. And when you are searching for an SUV, all of these advantages and options in the segment can become overwhelming. It can be challenging to choose which one best suits your needs. So today, we are going to help you with your decision by looking at two of the most sought-after SUVs in a comparison: 2020 Ford Expedition vs 2020 Nissan Armada.
Both the 2020 Ford Expedition and 2020 Nissan Armada fall into the category of some of the largest vehicles around, with only a few other options able to match their size and features. For many, a large SUV presents a unique opportunity to get everything you need in one package. There’s the size factor that allows for increased cargo and passenger capacity, with both of these vehicles having capacities for up to eight passengers. This gives you plenty of space to fit in the whole family, whether you fill the capacity limit or not. And if you don’t have eight passengers, that’s more room to fit in some extra cargo.
Since SUVs are known for their versatility, you can also expect decent towing capacities and a lot of power under the hood. Plus, it wouldn’t be amiss to see options for 4WD capabilities and advanced safety features. Not every SUV is built the same, though. For example, the 2020 Ford Expedition can tow over 9,000 lbs and hits 400 hp with nearly 500 lb-ft of torque. The 2020 Nissan Armada can’t quite hit any of those numbers. This may be why the Armada starts as a less expensive option, but you may end up paying for that with its decreased fuel economy and overall performance. And that is exactly what we are going to look at with this comparison.
The style and design of a vehicle are important, as that is the first thing you and your passengers are going to see. But, one of the most essential driving factors about any vehicle will be the type of performance numbers it can achieve. In other words, what kind of engine can you find under the hood, and what does that mean for your overall ride?
On the 2020 Ford Expedition, every trim comes equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine. Ford is known for their EcoBoost technology across many of its vehicles. As the name implies, an EcoBoost engine is designed to offer better fuel efficiency without sacrificing any power. And it is clear to see, that’s precisely what it does. The 3.5L EcoBoost engine has an output of 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough power to handle up to eight passengers, plenty of cargo, and even thousands of pounds of trailering on the back. But if you want a little more power under the hood, the Expedition's Platinum trim provides 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Either way, though, you are getting a powerful vehicle.
On the other hand, with the 2020 Nissan Armada, you get a 5.6L V8 engine. The 5.6L and V8 might jump out at you a bit when you compare it to the 3.5L EcoBoost, but this engine is actually less powerful than its Expedition counterpart with an output of 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. As you can see, the horsepower ratings are similar, but the torque is quite different. Higher torque ratings generally mean your engine can perform better, especially when towing something.
Large SUVs are the epitome of capability among most vehicles, with pickup trucks providing their only real competition. Cars and vans can’t quite compete with an SUV's abilities, which is why large SUVs are so popular. Since large SUVs are basically built like trucks, it’s no wonder that they can perform similarly. But let's see how these two SUVs compare to each other.
The 2020 Ford Expedition can tow up to 9,300 lbs. For comparison, that is more than most midsize trucks can tow, which is pretty impressive. Since the Expedition is meant as a fun, family vehicle to take on adventures, you can easily expect it to pull all the toys you need it to. That could range from a big boat to a big trailer, and everything in between. Plus, if you combine this excellent towing capacity with the available Pro Trailer Backup Assist, integrated trailer brake controller, and the FX4 off-road package, you will be ready for an adventure in no time.
The 2020 Nissan Armada has a towing capacity of 8,500 lbs. At 800 lbs less than the maximum capacity of the 2020 Expedition, that’s a significant loss in capacity. It should still function well enough for most needs, but with towing, it’s always better to be on the safe side. With a higher towing capacity, your vehicle will not have to strain as much when it is towing, allowing for an overall smoother ride. So with that said, the Expedition's capabilities give it a significant advantage over the Armada.
Safety is paramount for any driver, no matter what type of vehicle you are operating. With a large SUV, you’re driving a bigger vehicle than most, so it’s even more important to have the proper safety measures in place. With modern advancements in technology and features, we now have access to the safest vehicles that have ever been on the road. This includes advanced safety features that assist drivers in good driving. Ford is known for their suite of safety features, so let's see if the Armada can stand up to the Expedition.
The 2020 Ford Expedition has access to Ford’s suite of safety features, called Ford Co-Pilot360. In this suite, you can find such features as auto high-beam headlamps that will automatically detect for poor lighting conditions and switch on whenever they’re needed. If there’s an oncoming vehicle with its lights on, these lights can detect them and dim themselves, so you aren’t blinding another driver.
Another great feature is the re-collision assist with automatic emergency Braking. This provides sensors that can automatically detect a potential collision with an individual or another vehicle and audibly alert you. The system will also automatically precharge your brakes in anticipation of you using them. If you don’t use your brakes, the system can automatically apply them for you. Also included in this safety suite are lane-keep assist and enhanced active park assist. The park assist feature can help find a parking spot where the large vehicle can fit and then assist in the actual parking, whether parallel or perpendicular.
Lastly, the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite offers adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go. This system detects traffic ahead of you to keep your vehicle moving at a constant speed on the highway. If traffic is slowing down, the adaptive cruise control can slow down your Expedition and bring it to a complete stop if necessary. Overall, there are many safety features offered in the Ford Expedition, and it is a tough competitor.
With the 2020 Nissan Armada, you will get some similar options for advanced safety features, although it doesn’t appear to have any type of park assist or auto headlamps. With such a big vehicle, parking can become a bit of a chore, which is why park assist can be beneficial. Auto headlamps aren’t necessary, but they’re one more thing you don’t have to worry about as you are driving. Every little safety factor adds up to create a safe driving experience for everyone in your vehicle. So, does the Armada stand up to the Expedition's safety suite? The answer is, no, it does not.
At King’s Ford, we believe in providing reliable vehicles with the best capabilities and safety features. We do not want our consumers to have anything less than the best, which is why we back the Ford brand wholeheartedly. We offer competitive pricing on new and used vehicles and provide exclusive deals that can save you thousands of dollars. If you’re considering a Ford SUV, we have plenty of stock and a lot of different options available. You can come on down to our dealership in Cincinnati and take one for a test drive. Seeing and driving a vehicle for yourself is a much different experience than checking one out online, so we highly recommend it. And while you are here, we’d love to answer any of your questions in a pressure-free environment. We look forward to seeing you soon!
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
