Compare the2026 Nissan ArmadaVS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Nissan Armada has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Palisade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the Armada and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, 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 804 to 1696 pounds more than the Hyundai Palisade. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 Palisade has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Armada for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Nissan will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Palisade.

There are over 25 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Armada’s warranty.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

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 Hyundai With 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Hyundai.

The Armada’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 138 more horsepower (425 vs. 287) and 256 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 260) than the Palisade’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The Armada’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 96 more horsepower (425 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Palisade’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Armada NISMO’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 131 more horsepower (460 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Palisade’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Nissan Armada (base engine) is faster than the Hyundai Palisade V6:

The Armada has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Armada has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade V6’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19 gallons).

The Armada has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Palisade doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Nissan Armada, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Palisade.

For better stopping power the Armada’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Palisade:

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 Palisade are solid, not vented.

The Armada stops shorter than the Palisade:

For better traction, the Armada has larger standard tires than the Palisade (265/70R18 vs. 235/65R18). The Armada SL/Platinum’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (275/60R20 vs. 265/45R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Armada Platinum Reserve/NISMO has standard 22-inch wheels. The Palisade’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 Hyundai Palisade only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Armada has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Palisade doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

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 Palisade; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

The Armada offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Palisade’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Armada’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Palisade (121.1 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

The Armada PRO-4X handles at .77 G’s, while the Palisade XRT PRO pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Armada SV has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (9.6 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the Armada to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Armada PRO-4X’s minimum ground clearance is 3.2 inches higher than on the Palisade XRT PRO (11.6 vs. 8.4 inches).

The Armada has .1 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear hip room, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Palisade.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Armada. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Armada’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Palisade’s (8500 vs. 5000 pounds).

While the Palisade Hybrid can only tow 4000, any Armada can tow a minimum of 8500 pounds.

The engine in the Armada is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Armada’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade 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 Palisade’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.