Pros: Strong engine; quiet, classy interior; straightforward infotainment controls; tight turning radius for a large SUV
Cons: Fuel economy; some visibility issues; front-seat legroom is less than generous for the class; high step-in height makes entry and exit challenging for some occupants
CG Says: After taking the 2016 model year off, Nissan’s large SUV is redesigned for 2017. The previous-generation Armada was based on the Nissan Titan full-size pickup; the new Armada shares its basic platform with the Nissan Patrol (a large SUV sold in various global markets) and the luxury-grade Infiniti QX80 SUV. A direct-injection 5.6-liter V8 engine puts out 390 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque—both healthy increases from the previous 5.6 V8’s 317 hp and 385 lbs-ft. A new 7-speed automatic with adaptive shift control and downshift rev matching is the lone transmission. The 2017 Armada offers rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive and seat seven or eight passengers (depending on whether captain’s chairs or a bench seat are selected for the second row). Among the available comfort and convenience features are heated/cooled front seats, power rear liftgate, front/rear park assist system, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system with dual screens built into the front-seat headrests. Available safety features include LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitor with warning, and a surround-view monitor. The traditional truck-type SUV market has been losing ground to smaller, more-efficient crossover SUVs in recent years, but there is still a place for “real” SUVs that can haul eight people, tow a trailer, and/or handle challenging off-road terrain that a crossover SUV can’t quite hack. The 2017 Nissan Armada is a credible entry in this segment, providing a worthwhile alternative to the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia.
| Class | Large SUV |
| Body Style(s) | 4-door wagon |
| Passenger Count | 8 |
| Drive Wheels | rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Nation of Manufacture | Japan |
| Base Prices | SV: $44,400 4WD SV: $47,300 SL: $49,150 4WD SL: $52,050 Platinum: $57,090 4WD Platinum: $59,900 |
| Base Engine 5.6-liter V8 |
| Horsepower 390 |
| Std. Transmission 7-speed automatic |
| Avail. Transmission NA |
| EPA City Range (mpg) 13-14 |
| EPA Hwy Range (mpg) 18-19 |
