If you live around Carlsbad, Vista, or Escondido and you’re looking for an SUV, then you’ve probably considered both the Honda Pilot and the 2020 Nissan Armada at one point or another. Because these two vehicles are so popular, our Norm Reeves Honda Superstore Vista team wrote this article comparing them.

We’ll start with fuel efficiency. After all, who doesn’t love saving money at the pump? Unfortunately, you won’t be saving so much with the Nissan Armada, which has a fuel economy that leaves much to be desired. Take its 2-wheel drive SV trim level, for example: 14 city MPG, 19 highway MPG, and 16 combined MPG.
On the other hand, the Honda Pilot can be remarkably efficient, especially for an SUV. For example, based on 2020 EPA mileage estimates, the 2-wheel drive models equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission are able to achieve up to 19 miles per gallon in the city, 27 miles per gallon on the highway, and 22 miles per gallon combined.1 Those numbers are incredible!
So, we already know that filling up at the pump around Vista, Escondido, and Carlsbad, CA won’t cost you as much in the 2020 Pilot. But did you know that you’ll also remain as safe as possible while you drive around the streets of those communities? That’s all thanks to Honda Sensing®, the SUV’s standard suite:
Rather fortunately, the 2020 Armada also features its own safety suite: Nissan Intelligent Mobility. But, rather unfortunately, it doesn’t come standard. On certain trim levels, including the SV 2WD that we’ve already mentioned, you can’t count on features like Intelligent Distance Control and Lane Intervention.

Finally, you’re going to have some problems getting the 2020 Armada into certain parking spots–tight ones in particular. That’s because it’s a hulking giant that’s 208.9 inches long with a wheelbase that runs 121.1 inches. In comparison, the 2020 Pilot is an efficient 196.5 inches long, and its wheelbase is slimmed down at 111 inches. Well, perhaps the Nissan’s bulky exterior dimensions translate to a roomier cabin?
Not always. Second-row passengers won’t even have as much room for their heads as they will in the Honda. That’s because the Armada measures in at 40 inches of second-row headroom as opposed to the Pilot’s 40.2 inches. The difference might be slight, but every little bit counts while you’re on long road trips.
There are a couple of ways to get behind the wheel as soon as possible: Call us on the phone, chat with us on our website, or stop by our dealership near Escondido, Carlsbad, and Vista, California. As soon as you sit in the driver’s seat, all these points about why the Pilot is better than the Armada will come to life.
119 city/27 highway/22 combined mpg rating for 2WD 6AT trims. 18 city/26 highway/21 combined mpg rating for AWD 6AT trims. 20 city/27 highway/23 combined mpg rating for 2WD 9AT trims. 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg rating for AWD 9AT trims. Based on 2020 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.