We had a Suburban when I was a kid and, since gas is cheap now, I’d like to buy a 2013 or 2014 full-sized SUV. I like being the biggest thing on the road – and the space and towing capacity is nice. We’re looking at the Armada and the Tahoe. What do you think? – Jim, Burnaby, B.C.
In the 1970s, there were no minivans. If you wanted to haul your kid’s soccer team and they didn’t want to sit on the floor, you needed a van, a schoolbus – or a Suburban.
Eventually, more rugged-looking SUVs followed, but the big boys stuck around.
Compact and subcompact SUVs are the next big trend – the automotive equivalent of coconut water – but sales of the big pickup truck-based SUVs have been slowly on the rise.
Across all brands, there were nearly 10,600 full-sized SUVs sold in Canada last year, up more than 1,200 from the year before.
Gas is cheaper, but these apartment-sized SUVs aren’t. A new Tahoe, fully loaded, can top $70,000. They’re big, they’re cushy, but most still drive like the trucks they’re based on.
So, who buys these, apart from the Prime Minister’s security detail? Buyers for the segment are typically 60 and over – and they have cash. But brands vary – Nissan says Armada buyers are 31-40.
Unless you need serious towing power, go smaller – and cheaper – and get a better-handling vehicle that still has a third row. Some good bets: the Nissan Pathfinder, the Kia Sorrento or Chevy Traverse.
The Tahoe is the biggest seller in Canada, but Ford’s Expedition is a close second. In sales, Toyota’s Sequoia and Nissan’s Armada come in last – each selling more than 600 last year.
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 2WD
Third generation: 2007-2014
Average price for base: $43,894 (Canadian Black Book)
Transmission/Drive: Six-speed automatic/Rear-wheel drive
Engine: 5.3-litre V-8
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 16 city, 11.1 highway
GMC’s Yukon and Chevy’s Tahoe and Suburban are pretty much the same great big vehicle – the Suburban’s a little longer.
Edmunds liked the 320-hp V8’s power, towing capacity, fit and finish. It didn’t like that the third-row seat doesn’t fold into the floor and has to be taken out to fit bigger loads.
“The 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe deserves strong consideration if you’re shopping for a large, traditional SUV with impressive towing capacity,” Edmunds said. “But for pure passenger use, a large crossover might work out better.”
Consumer Reports gives the Chevy top ratings for reliability and predicts excellent used car reliability.
If you want to carry almost all of your kid’s soccer team – the LS comes with a front bench and seats nine.
The average price for 4WD version of the base LS is about $3,000 more at $46,772. Fully loaded, the average price is $55,827.
2014 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD
First generation: 2003-2015
Average price for base: $48,075 (Canadian Black Book)
Transmission/Drive: Five-speed automatic/Four-wheel drive
Engine: 5.6-litre V-8
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 19.1 city, 13.4 highway
It’s named after a fleet of warships, can seat eight and tow up to 9,000 pounds and, for 2014, came in top-of-the-line trim only.
Based on the Titan – for 2017’s second generation, Nissan has switched to the same platform as its Patrol SUV, which isn’t sold here – reviewers say the Armada is big and powerful, but has less cargo room, third-row legroom and overall ride quality than its newer competitors.
“The 2014 Nissan Armada continues to get the job done for shoppers in need of a large-capacity SUV,” Edmunds says. “But we think you’ll find that there are superior choices out there, whether you plan on frequent towing or just hauling the family around town.”
Edmunds likes the 317-hp engine, towing and comfortable interior, but says the ride is stiff and bouncy on broken pavement – and fuel economy is dismal.
Consumer Reports praises the acceleration and “slick” transmission, but pans the Armada’s lack of agility, rough ride and high step to get in.
It doesn’t rate the Armada’s reliability – but said owners reported satisfaction is good.
The fully-loaded Armada Platinum beats the top-of-the-line Tahoe when it comes to price. But, since the Armada wasn’t a huge seller – 630 sold in 2015 compared to 2,360 Tahoes – there might not be that many out there to choose from.