The hulking second-generation Nissan Armada is very much a clone of the highbrow Infiniti QX80, a full-sized luxury three-row SUV that has been on sale since 2010. Even though it’s about $20,000 less expensive, the Nissan cedes practically nothing to its more luxurious twin. Strong points include a smooth, powerful powertrain, quiet cabin, and formidable 8,500-pound towing ability. Clumsy-yet-secure handling and a voracious appetite for fuel are among the Armada’s demerits.
The Armada is aimed squarely at the high-end, large SUV segment, where it battles domestic mainstays such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition, as well as the Toyota Sequoia. All are truck-based SUVs that lack the car-like ride and handling of a modern SUV.
At first, it seems like the Armada is plush and luxurious by virtue of its soft suspension, effortless V8 punch, and a cabin that’s coated with leather and wood.
Indeed, the 400-hp, 5.6-liter V8 endows the big Nissan with a smooth, muscular launch and right-now responsiveness. The seven-speed automatic is well-matched to the engine and executes unobtrusive shifts. The price for this slick powertrain is 14 mpg overall, a paltry figure even compared to other competing large SUVs.
The fully independent suspension absorbs bumps commendably, but it doesn’t take long to experience the truck’s frequent jostling. Any uneven road surfaces or undulations elicit motions reminiscent of a vessel on the high seas. To its credit, the cabin remains quiet.
We don’t expect sporty handling with a large SUV, but even in the realm of such giants, the Armada’s cornering feels more like a bloated land yacht than a speedboat. There’s considerable body roll and the steering is slow, requiring quite a bit of twirling before the bow gets the command and is pointed on the right course. This ponderous trait makes you consciously slow down before entering corners.
Our Armada has the 2+2+3 seating configuration, meaning it has captain's chairs for the second row and seating for three in the split-folding, third-row bench.
Rear passengers have their own air conditioning ducts and two individual video screens--nice upscale touches. But the cabin is short on modern connectivity.
The dashboard has wood inlays and nicely tailored stitching that create a luxurious ambience. Lots of buttons are strewn throughout and the large center infotainment screen is far away, giving the dash a decidedly retro feel.
The Armada is a tall vehicle, so while no gangway is needed to get in and out, the running boards can help those of modest stature. The view from the large seats is commanding. The leather driver's seat has only a two-way power lumbar adjustment, which is stingy at this price.
Automatic emergency braking with forward collision warning is standard equipment.
Clearly, this is an old-school, body-on-frame, lumbering truck that’s lavishly outfitted. It comes across as a dinosaur, and not only because of its appetite for fuel.