Compare the2026 Nissan ArmadaVS 2026 Acura MDX

The Armada Platinum Reserve has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The MDX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard ProPILOT Assist 1.1, the Nissan Armada is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Acura MDX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Armada SL 4x4/Platinum 4x4/PRO-4X/NISMO’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The MDX doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Armada and the MDX 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 Nissan Armada weighs 900 to 1848 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Armada is safer than the MDX:

The Nissan Armada has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The MDX is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Armada for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the MDX (2/24,000 vs. 1/12000).

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Armada’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Armada’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 15th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 34 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Acura.

The Armada’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 135 more horsepower (425 vs. 290) and 249 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The Armada’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 70 more horsepower (425 vs. 355) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6. The Armada NISMO’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 105 more horsepower (460 vs. 355) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Armada (base engine) is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

The Armada has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (23.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Armada higher (5 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (4). This means the Armada produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The Armada’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The Armada stops much shorter than the MDX:

For better traction, the Armada has larger standard tires than the MDX (265/70R18 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Armada Platinum Reserve/NISMO has standard 22-inch wheels. The MDX’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Nissan Armada’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Acura MDX only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Armada has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the MDX; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Armada’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the MDX (121.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Armada SV has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (9.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the Armada to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Armada PRO-4X’s minimum ground clearance is 2.2 inches higher than on the MDX Type S (11.6 vs. 9.4 inches).

The Armada offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The Armada has 22.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (161.6 vs. 139.1).

The Armada has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, .7 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row legroom, 11.1 inches more third row hip room and 7.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Armada’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Armada’s cargo area provides more volume than the MDX.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Armada SL/Platinum/PRO-4X/NISMO’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (8500 vs. 3500 pounds).

The engine in the Armada is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

The power windows standard on both the Armada and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Armada is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Armada’s standard Infiniti Intelligent Key allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The Armada’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The MDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Armada has standard extendable sun visors. The MDX doesn’t offer extendable visors.