Compare the2026 Nissan ArmadaVS 2025 Lexus GX

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 GX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Armada and the GX 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 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 GX has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Armada for 1 year and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (2/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).

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

The Armada’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 76 more horsepower (425 vs. 349) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Armada NISMO’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 111 more horsepower (460 vs. 349) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 479) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Armada (base engine) is faster than the Lexus GX:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Armada’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Armada has 2.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX (23.6 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Armada stops shorter than the GX:

For better traction, the Armada SL/Platinum’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (275/60R20 vs. 265/55R20).

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 GX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Armada NISMO/PRO-4X/Platinum Reserve has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Armada’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The GX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Armada’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the GX (121.1 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Armada is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the GX.

The Armada PRO-4X handles at .77 G’s, while the GX Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Armada PRO-4X executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GX Luxury+ (28.1 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Armada SV has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX Premium (9.6 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Armada to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Armada PRO-4X’s minimum ground clearance is 1.8 inches higher than on the GX Overtrail (11.6 vs. 9.8 inches).

The Armada offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry up to 7.

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

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

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

While the GX Luxury+ can only tow 7800, any Armada can tow a minimum of 8500 pounds.

The Armada is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.