The Chevrolet Tahoe has been a staple in the full-size SUV space since 1995, nearly a decade before the Nissan Armada – then known as the Pathfinder Armada – arrived.
In 2021, the aging Tahoe takes on a fresh look, roomier cabin, and updated tech while maintaining its status as a stalwart in the class. The Armada, on the other hand, continues with the same dated look, feel, and features it’s had since its 2017 redesign.
Continue reading to find out if the dated Armada has what it takes to convince buyers to choose it over the all-new Tahoe.
See a side-by-side comparison of the Nissan Armada & Chevrolet Tahoe »
What the Armada Gets Right
With a base price of $48,495 including destination, the Nissan Armada gets a quick jump on the Tahoe, as it’s $1,800 cheaper. At this lower base price, the Armada offers decent value with its standard 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, and Bose audio system. It also offers standard automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a rear-seat reminder.
The Armada’s upright design may not be every buyer’s preferred styling, but it stands out in a crowd, while the Tahoe blends in.
Under the Armada’s hood sits a standard 5.6-liter V8 that pounds out 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. This trumps the Tahoe’s standard 5.3-liter V8 by 35 hp and 11 lb-ft of torque.
The Armada also skips the truck-style suspension and opts for a fully independent system for a comfortable ride.
What the Tahoe Gets Right
The Chevy Tahoe gets a leg up on the Armada with its more widely accepted design, which is new for 2021. It blends in with traffic but still looks plenty sharp in your garage with its thin headlights and C-shaped LED accent lights.
Inside, the Tahoe has a modern, car-like cabin with relatively simple button layouts and a sleek design. It also has loads of standard features the Armada can’t match, including a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wi-fi.
Hauling people and cargo is no problem in the Tahoe, as rear-seat passengers enjoy 42 inches of leg room in the second row and 36.7 inches of leg room in the third. This rear leg room beats the Armada by 0.1 in the second row and 8.3 inches in the third.
As for cargo hauling, the Tahoe offers 25.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 72.6 cubes behind the second row, and 122.9 behind the first row. Respectively, these measurements beat the Armada by 9, 22.7, and 27.5 cubic feet.
Under its hood, the Tahoe’s base V8 can’t match the base Armada’s V8, but its optional 6.2-liter V8 pounds out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. There's also a 3.0-liter inline-six turbodiesel engine offered with 460 lb-ft of torque and improved fuel economy.
Go Old-School in the Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada’s design may be only four model years old, but its styling is a blast from the past with the chunky front end, upright glasshouse, and swoopy interior lines. For buyers who miss this styling, the Armada is a great pick.
Our Verdict: Chevy Tahoe
The Chevy Tahoe pretty easily beats the Nissan Armada with its modern looks inside and out, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, potent engine options, and spacious cabin. And at just $1,800 more than the Armada, the Tahoe presents a strong value.