Compare the2026 Acura MDXVS 2026 Nissan Armada

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Acura MDX achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Armada has not been tested.

The Acura MDX’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Nissan Armada does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The Armada uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the Armada have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The MDX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Armada’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the MDX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Armada. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Armada ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 7 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

As tested in Car and Driver the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Nissan Armada (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better mileage than the Armada:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The Armada doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The Armada NISMO requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Armada. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the Armada.

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Armada:

The MDX stops shorter than the Armada:

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Armada SV’s standard 70 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Armada Platinum Reserve/NISMO’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Armada SV.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Armada doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the Armada PRO-4X pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Armada PRO-4X (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1350 to 1400 pounds less than the Nissan Armada.

The MDX is 11.2 inches shorter than the Armada, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 8.6 inches shorter in height than the Armada, making the MDX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The Armada doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Armada doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 10th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the Armada SL/NISMO/Platinum/PRO-4X, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Armada’s power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The MDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Armada’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Armada doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The MDX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Nissan only offers heated mirrors on the Armada SL/Platinum/PRO-4X/NISMO.

The Acura MDX has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Nissan charges extra for Homelink® on the Armada and isn’t available on the Armada SV/SL.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Acura MDX has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Armada SL/NISMO/Platinum/PRO-4X offers wireless charging.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura MDX retains 46.29% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 39.62% resale value of the 2025 Nissan Armada after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner up to $6910.72173 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura MDX outsold the Nissan Armada by over three to one during 2024.