|
(Enlarge photo)
In this corner, the defending champion: Toyota Sequoia. And in this corner, the challenger: Nissan Pathfinder Armada.
(Photo by Scott Jacobs)
|
|
|
|
|
Road Test: Comparison Test
|
|
Comparison Test: Toyota Sequoia versus Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Introduction
By
John DiPietro
Date posted: 10-09-2003
In our last full-size
SUV comparison test, Toyota's ultrarefined Sequoia bested the Ford Expedition
and Chevrolet Tahoe. Although it doesn't have quite the workhorse capabilities
of the brawny Americans, the Sequoia impressed us in areas that most folks will
appreciate; it's comfortable, roomy, easy to handle and oozes quality inside and
out.
But for 2004 Nissan's new
Pathfinder Armada storms onto the scene with a mighty 5.6-liter V8 and rather
unique body styling. Where the Sequoia
is soft and rounded, the Armada is hard-edged and angular. Like a brazen heavyweight
fighter who likes to show off, the Armada has a presence that Ali would envy.
As a production version of the Armada was not available, we took what we could get — a preproduction Armada SE Off-Road 2WD. So while it's not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, we still jumped at the opportunity to drive these two competitors back-to-back in an informal comparison. With clipboards, route maps and evaluation forms in hand, we hopped in the trucks and sampled them in a variety of conditions, the commuter grind, twisting two-laners, interstate freeways and even a moderate off-road loop into the Angeles National Forest.
With Nissan taking a different approach than the kinder, gentler Sequoia in the fight for big SUV supremacy, it made for an interesting match.
|
|
|
Your Account | Help | Directory
