Ford Explorer vs. Nissan Armada
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Ford Explorer and Nissan Armada contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Ford Explorer and the Nissan Armada.
When we compare the Ford Explorer's and the Nissan Armada's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, resale value and overall quality score. The Nissan Armada has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Ford Explorer's and the Nissan Armada's specifications and ratings, the Ford Explorer is a better car than the Nissan Armada.
Pricing: A used 2024 Ford Explorer ranges from $39,237 to $59,113 while a used 2024 Nissan Armada is priced between $44,898 to $75,343. For a new model, the Ford Explorer's price is between $40,144 and $62,004, with the Nissan Armada priced between $54,974 and $75,526.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Ford Explorer loses 47.6 percent of its value and the Nissan Armada loses 56.9 percent of its value. This means the Ford Explorer retains 9.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Armada.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.7 out of 10 while the Nissan Armada's quality rating is 8.0 out of 10. This results in the Ford Explorer being ranked 8 out of 39 Best SUVs with 3 Rows and the Nissan Armada being ranked 24 out of 39.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Ford Explorer is 8.5 out of 10. For the Nissan Armada the reliability rating is 8.9 out of 10. This gives the Nissan Armada a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Ford Explorer.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Ford Explorer’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Nissan Armada base engine makes 400 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Nissan Armada, a fullsize SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Ford Explorer, a crossover/midsize SUV, has the advantage in the areas of front leg room, rear head room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Ford Explorer has higher safety ratings than the Nissan Armada, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Ford Explorer has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick+ award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$40,144 - $62,004
Starting MSRP:
$36,860
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize SUVs)
$37,697
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$31,990 - $43,320
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$54,974 - $75,526
Starting MSRP:
$56,520
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large SUVs)
$53,950
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large SUVs)
$34,520 - $61,200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$47,137
Price Range:
$39,237 - $59,113
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize SUVs)
$47,563
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
$40,678 - $66,020
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
3,570
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
1,389
# Good or Great Deals:
55
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$63,903
Price Range:
$44,898 - $75,343
Category Avg Price:
(Large SUVs)
$73,614
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large SUVs)
$43,593 - $93,518
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,631
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
917
# Good or Great Deals:
103
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize SUVs)
46.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
27.5% - 53.5%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$32,487
Depreciation %:
57.5%
Resale Value $:
$24,033
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Large SUVs)
52.3%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Large SUVs)
48.8% - 57.5%
Ford Explorer Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.7 / 10
Reliability:
8.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Nissan Armada Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
8.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Ford Explorer
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
9.1
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize SUVs)
10.4
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize SUVs)
8.6 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.5%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Armada
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.4
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Large SUVs)
10
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Large SUVs)
9.7 - 10.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
58.3%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.2
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize SUVs)
1.6 - 14.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.7
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
1.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large SUVs)
1.4 - 2.2
Ford Explorer Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 67Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 67Ranking
5 out of / 39Ranking
5 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 67Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
6 out of / 32Ranking
7 out of / 32Ranking
8 out of / 67Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
9 out of / 67Ranking
9 out of / 39Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
11 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 32Ranking
13 out of / 16Ranking
14 out of / 39Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 32Ranking
16 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 67Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 32Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 28Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
22 out of / 39Ranking
23 out of / 32Ranking
25 out of / 39Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
29 out of / 67Ranking
37 out of / 67Ranking
53 out of / 59Ranking
59 out of / 67Nissan Armada Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 10Ranking
4 out of / 39Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
7 out of / 13Ranking
8 out of / 39Ranking
8 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
9 out of / 13Ranking
10 out of / 13Ranking
12 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 39Ranking
13 out of / 13Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
18 out of / 39Ranking
20 out of / 39Ranking
24 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 34Ranking
29 out of / 39Ranking
33 out of / 39Ranking
38 out of / 39Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Flex Fuel, Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Ford Explorer Trim Levels
Base, King Ranch, Limited, Platinum, Police Interceptor Utility, ST, ST-Line, Timberline, XLT
Nissan Armada Trim Levels
Platinum, SL, SV
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
3 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
310 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.069 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
400 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
413 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.071 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
8500 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
21 / 28 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
376 / 501 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
5.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
4X2 / 4X4
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Massage Seats:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
43 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
87.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
170.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
63.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
40 inches
Rear Leg Room:
41 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
63.4 inches
Cargo Space:
16.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
95.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
171.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
89.3 inches
Height:
69.9 inches
Length:
198.8 inches
Wheelbase:
119.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.9 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
5664 lbs
Width:
79.9 inches
Height:
75.8 inches
Length:
208.9 inches
Wheelbase:
121.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
9.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/65R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
265/70R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Agate Black
Gray
Carbonized Gray
Green
Forged Green
Silver
Iconic Silver
White
Oxford White
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Gray
Gun Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Aspen White TriCoat
Interior Colors
Beige
Sandstone
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Almond
Black
Charcoal
