The 2023 Nissan Armada, the most significant SUV produced by the Japanese carmaker, is a full-sized vehicle built on a traditional body-on-frame chassis with a powerful V8 engine. Despite being released in 2017, this particular iteration of Armada is derived from a more functional worldwide model, the Nissan Patrol, first presented in 2010. The Patrol is a well-liked off-road vehicle in regions like Western Australia or Namibia, and it competes with Toyota’s Land Cruiser. However, the Armada is more inclined towards being suitable for families. The vehicle provides eight-person seating, several contemporary amenities, and significant towing capability.
Nissan made a few alterations to the Armada for the 2023 model year after a significant overhaul in 2021. The modifications included a refreshed front and back design with striking LED lights, enhanced safety measures now included as standard, and a substantial upgrade to the infotainment system, which now boasts a 12.3-inch screen as standard. Despite the SUV’s inherent antiquity (the associated Patrol began manufacturing in January 2010), the interior and technology are not outdated. Nevertheless, the handling, fuel efficiency, and capacity of third-row seating expose its inherent constraints.
The Armada, now the most ancient design in its category, competes with the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition. However, the Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee L also provide a peripheral threat. Previously, the older Sequoia served as a suitable contrast to the Armada. Still, it had a complete makeover this year and now has a standard hybrid engine, increased towing capability, and a much-enhanced interior. However, Nissan maintains a superior position over Toyota regarding cargo capacity and is priced lower. Indeed, the Armada offers a lower pricing than all other full-size rivals.
There is a singular Armada engine, which is a substantial and powerful 5.6-liter V8. Boasting 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, the Armada matches the power output of the highest-tier GM V8 engines. Additionally, the Armada surpasses GM SUVs in towing capability, with a standard rating of 8,500 pounds. This is enough to transport the family and their belongings. The substantial chassis, equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) and sufficient ground clearance, ensures impressive off-road performance. However, compared to the Wagoneer, it lacks the same adventurous spirit and seems more imposing and truck-like when driven on regular roads.
However, when comparing models, this vehicle’s fuel efficiency is the lowest within its class and is around 1 to 3 miles per gallon less than its most fuel-consuming rivals. The vehicle can accommodate seven or eight people, depending on the available seating configurations. The first two rows provide enough space and comfort, but the third row and cargo compartment are tiny compared to industry norms. Although several midsize SUVs outperform the Armada in those aspects, the Armada still surpasses the Sequoia in total load capacity. GM and Jeep excel in cargo utility, whereas Jeep, Ford, and Toyota surpass it in towing capability.
The Armada is equipped with a comprehensive array of sophisticated driver aid technologies, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, often offered as optional extras by its rivals. Despite its substantial equipment, the crash test data for this product is substandard or incomplete, which is also true for many of its competitors. While the Armada has its drawbacks, it is worth noting that it is priced far lower than many competing models, with potential savings of up to $9,000. As a result, a mid-level Armada may be directly compared in terms of pricing to a base-model Tahoe or Wagoneer.
Performance:Nissan Armada
A 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque powers every Armada. This engine is paired with a seven-speed automated gearbox. While 4WD is an optional $3,000 extra throughout the range, rear-wheel drive is standard. Although the V8 is rugged and robust, more recent hybrid and turbocharged six-cylinder engines in comparable cars provide a smoother ride. However, it is a strong competitor with GM’s 5.3-liter V8, found in the GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe.
The Armada has a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds thanks to its V8 muscle. While it is a respectable amount, several other large SUVs, such as the Jeep Wagoneer (up to 10,000), Sequoia (9,520), and Expedition (9,300), can tow far more. To help in towing, a trailer brake controller system is helpfully included, and the SL and Platinum versions further have trailer sway control.
The Armada can handle most obstacles on a ranch or in the desert thanks to its robust structure, four-wheel-drive solid system, and 9.2 inches of ground clearance. Rock crawling would be difficult even for the most skilled drivers, and Nissan doesn’t state how deep it is. For light off-roading, it should have more than enough capacity. However, the Jeep Wagoneer and Yukon AT4 would be more suitable.
Even though it is a body-on-frame truck, the Armada rides surprisingly well on pavement. The independent double-wishbone suspension on the front and rear of the large Nissan makes for smooth and effortless progress, although it does lean quite a bit while turning, unlike the GM SUVs.
Fuel Efficiency: Nissan Armada
The Armada’s weak point is its MPG, which is made much more apparent now that the Sequoia—previously an even worse gas guzzler—has decided to go hybrid for 2023. The Armada is the only large SUV with a V8 engine that currently ranks dead bottom among large SUVs in fuel efficiency. The EPA scores the Armada at 14 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the interstate, and 16 mpg overall with the conventional rear-drive arrangement. The 4WD models only manage 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg overall. Nissan’s enormous 26-gallon fuel tank helps to offset the car’s low mpg.
Despite requiring premium gasoline, all other large SUVs, including the 6.2-liter V8 GMC Yukon and Chevy Tahoe, are more fuel-efficient. Like Chevy and GMC, Nissan does not provide more economical powertrains like turbodiesels. Over time, this 3 to 4 mpg advantage adds up. The twin-turbo V6 Ford Expedition gets 19 mpg combined, while the Jeep Wagoneer with the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 gets 18 mpg. On the other hand, the Sequoia with rear-wheel drive achieves 22 combined, 21 city, and 24 highway mpg. (4WD reduces each measure’s mpg by two.)
Driver assistance and safety:
Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 package of cutting-edge driver assistance technologies is standard equipment on all Armadas. It has lane departure warnings, blind-spot alerts, rear cross-traffic alerts, rear automatic braking, and front collision alarms with pedestrian recognition. Additionally, the SUV boasts adaptive cruise control, a feature that several rivals charge extra for.
When the Armada was last evaluated by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2020, it received a rating of four stars out of five. That’s a mediocre grade, but only the Ford Expedition has subsequently received a better rating, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t conducted any current testing on any of the Armada’s closest rivals.
Coziness & Space:
The Armada is mainly used as a people mover and a capable tow vehicle. Nissan provides two interior options to suit the needs of the complete family: optional captain’s chairs on SL and Platinum models, which can seat up to seven people, or a standard second-row bench that can seat eight people.
The Armada compromises comfort in the rear seats, but first- and second-row passengers enjoy plenty of space (41.9 inches of front-row legroom and 41 inches in the back). Especially when contrasted to the 34.9 inches of third-row legroom in the Tahoe, the 36.1 inches in the Expedition, and the 36.6 inches in the Wagoneer, the third-row seating in the Tahoe is unfriendly for adults and older teenagers for anything more than a quick hop.
The basic model has comfortable cloth-upholstered seats. SV grades and above come with heated front seats, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel wrapped in leather, and a heated second-row bench exclusive to Platinum vehicles.
Infotainment: Nissan Armada
Nissan hasn’t made many interior changes since its significant update in 2021, and the 12.3-inch color touchscreen remains the cabin’s focal point. The Armada still has one of the largest standard displays, although several rivals, like the Sequoia, currently offer more optional screens. Although the monitor was slanted back toward the windshield and was obviously (if tastefully) slapped onto an older dashboard, the visuals and backup camera are pretty straightforward. For some drivers, it can be too far to reach.
Steering wheel controls make managing the gauge cluster and seven-inch driver information display simple. Despite being an older car today, it still boasts some of the best amenities available thanks to the 2021 upgrade, including Wi-Fi, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. SV and the above variants come with wireless charging and support for Amazon Alexa starting in 2023. Additionally, Nissan Connect services like remote start and concierge are included as standard on Armadas.
A back entertainment system and a clever rearview mirror—which shows a camera image when objects like passengers or cargo obscure the standard mirror—are additional features of the platinum variants. The cabin has two USB-A and two USB-C connections, and the Platinum variant has a 120-volt power outlet.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Despite its size and ample cargo capacity, the Armada’s design is not as good as its competitors’ recent models. After the third row, there are 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, 49.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.4 cubic feet when all seats are folded down. Although they aren’t insignificant figures, they are much lower than the competitors and even some bigger midsize crossover SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Traverse and Volkswagen Atlas.
The new Sequoia surprisingly has less overall luggage room, with up to 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 49 behind row two, and 86.9 altogether—much less than the Armada’s and the VW’s 96.8 total. With 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row, 72.6 behind the second, and 122.9 with all seats folded, the Tahoe and Yukon are the most spacious vehicles in the group. The Wagoneer isn’t far behind, with 27.4, 70.8, and 116.9 cubes.
The Armada benefits somewhat from standard roof rails on the SV and higher trims, and the small-item storage is adequate. A second-row console keeps the cabin tidy when equipped with a captain’s seat and may be removed to maximize cargo capacity.
Design :Nissan Armada
The Armada is a big, brutish animal that doesn’t try to disguise its enormous size or provide an apology for it. The basic design dates back to 2021, as seen by the soft rounded corners, although the revisions for 2021 only improved its appearance. The large grille, protruding hood, and robust fenders convey the strength and toughness consumers anticipate from this SUV class. The headlights are now entirely LED, with each bulb housing 50 separate illumination units. The taillights are also enhanced, now illuminating with seventy LEDs. Everything about it makes the Armada resemble its more ostentatious sibling, the Infiniti QX80.
The Armada’s interior seems slightly older than most rivals. However, it’s not quite as ancient as the current Lexus GX or the Toyota Sequoia from earlier generations. We can thank Nissan’s fine chrome detail work and the large screen for enhancing the atmosphere and feel.
Is the Nissan Armada of 2023 a Good Buy?
The Armada seems a little dated today, and many of its competitors are somewhat more powerful, but it also costs between $8,000 and $9,000 less than most of them and has the essential V8 engine. If you share Nissan’s goals, there is value in this.
The base price of the entry-level rear-wheel drive Armada S is $52,095 (which is somewhat higher than the previous year and includes a $1,695 destination fee). On the other hand, the S does not come with second-row captain’s chairs or heated front seats. That is, however, $9,000 less than the base Wagoneer, $7,800 less than the base Sequoia, and $4,000 less than the very basic Chevy Tahoe LS, which has a far lower number of optional equipment.
Buyers must upgrade to the SL ($60,065) or SV ($56,645) for better gear. They come equipped with features like heated seats and a Bose music system, and they are comparable in terms of equipment to the mid-level Tahoe and Expedition. However, the Armada is undercut by at least $4,000, even with four-wheel drive. Yes, it isn’t as competent or fuel-efficient, but that’s a significant saving, and it could take some time until the new Sequoia is offered markup-free.
The most luxurious model, the Platinum, begins at $68,415 and is just $6,000 less than the QX80. It comes with heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, ventilated seats, and quilted leather upholstery.
With its superb combination of features, the SV trim with 4WD costs around $58,000 more than any other option. We believe that this is the area with the finest value.
How Much Does Nissan Armada Insurance Cost?
According to our study, the average yearly premium for an Armada SL for a 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record is $2,366; nevertheless, this figure applies to all 50 states. The differences between the various trims are not more than $75. In contrast, the GMC Yukon AT4, Ford Expedition Limited, and Toyota Sequoia Limited cost $2,382 and $2,370, respectively.
Nissan Armada Generations
Second Generation
2017 to Present
With a new external design, a new 390-horsepower 5.6-liter V8, and a new seven-speed automatic gearbox available for three trim levels—SV, SL, and Platinum—in both two- and four-wheel-drive configurations, the second-generation Armada made its debut for the 2017 model year. The menu was expanded to include an 8-inch touchscreen and safety features, including blind spot monitoring, 360-degree video view, and forward collision warnings. A mid-cycle makeover with new technology, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and altered external appearance was given to the Armada in 2021.
First Generation
2004 to 2016
For the 2004 model year, the Armada debuted as the Nissan Pathfinder Armada. The Armada’s 5.6-liter V8 engine produced 305 horsepower and was mated to a five-speed automated gearbox, much like modern models. It had three rows and rear-wheel drive with the option to switch to the four-wheel industry. 2008 saw an update for the Armada that increased power.
Verdict
Large, strong, and reminiscent of a classic truck, the Armada is an SUV. It offers a lot of raw strength with a large, sturdy chassis, a standard 400-horsepower V8, and an 8,500-pound towing capability. In 2021, Nissan updated it significantly, adding active safety systems and better infotainment. However, compared to many of its immediate rivals, the Armada has somewhat less interior space and a lower towing capability for a vehicle of its size. The Nissan Armada is by far the oldest design in its class and feels it. Still, it costs significantly less than its recent competitors, with the Toyota Sequoia, its arch-rival, completely redone for 2023.
