The Infiniti QX80 is a super nice, more expensive version of the Nissan Armada. Right? Or are there some key differences between the two that make one a better choice than the other? Is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 is safer than the 2021 Nissan Armada – $20,000 safer, to be exact? A look at Consumer Reports test results shows us it’s not.

The Infiniti QX80 is not just an expensive Nissan Armada

Consumer Reports tested both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and the 2021 Nissan Armada. Unfortunately the 2021 Nissan Armada wasn’t crash tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the QX80 was tested by the NHTSA. We’ll have to rely on the Consumer Reports road test and available safety features to make a determination on whether the QX80 is safer. 

The overall score for the 2021 Infiniti QX80 is a 64 while the 2021 Nissan Armada scored just a 55. These aren’t just safety scores. They also include road test results as well as predicted reliability and predicted owner satisfaction. These are assessed through looking at past reliability scores as well as owner surveys. 

So how did the 2021 QX80 and 2021 Armada do in safety tests?

The performance aspect of the road test gives us some information as to how safe a vehicle is. Acceleration and handling contribute to the likelihood of an accident. Both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and 2021 Nissan Armada did well in acceleration, getting a four out of five. Both large SUVs also got a two out of five for their emergency handling. The maximum speed that the Nissan Armada could go and still successfully navigate the course was 51 mph. The Infiniti QX80 was worse, at a max avoidance speed of 48 mph. 

The 2021 Infiniti QX80’s brake score was a three out of five. It took the QX80 139 feet to stop on dry pavement and 155 feet to stop on wet pavement. On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Armada’s brakes got a four out of five star rating. The Armada could stop from 60 mph on dry pavement in 133 feet and 147 feet on wet pavement. 

The Armada only got a three out of five for its headlights, while the QX80 got four out of five stars. Headlights are important because they allow full visibility, especially at night or in foggy and wet conditions. 

What kind of advanced safety systems do the Infiniti QX80 and Nissan Armada come with?

Both the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and 2021 Nissan Armada come with almost all of the advanced safety features that Consumer Reports car shoppers look for – except for daytime running lights. Only the Nissan Armada comes standard with these, while the Infiniti QX80 doesn’t even offer them. These safety systems are important because they reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a crash. 

Both vehicles come with forward collision warning, and at least the Armada’s an operate at speeds above 3 mph. They both also have lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning and blind spot warning. They each come standard with automatic emergency braking for city and highway speeds

All new vehicles come with a rear camera, but both of these vehicles also have rear cross traffic warning. They also come with anti lock brakes and traction and stability control. 

The Nissan Armada also has daytime running lights, which are on whenever the car is on. They help other cars see your vehicle more easily. Unfortunately, the Infiniti QX80 doesn’t offer these. 

Both the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80 come with front side airbags and head protection standard with rollover. 

Although there are no crash test results, there are rollover results for the Nissan Armada, and they’re the same as the Infiniti QX80: three out of five stars. 

Overall, it’s definitely difficult to determine whether the 2021 Infiniti QX80 would do better than the 2021 Nissan Armada in a crash. However, the similar available safety features, as well as the Nissan Armada’s better results in performance tests, make it unlikely that the Infiniti QX80 is a $20,000 better choice. Add to that Consumer Reports’ note that the 2021 Infiniti QX80’s emergency handling is a “serious detriment,” and there aren’t a lot of safety reasons to spend an extra $20,000 on the QX80.