2018 Nissan Armada

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 last year’s redesign, the 2018 Nissan Armada is relatively unchanged. A rearview camera mirror is available and NissanConnect Services are now standard. 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. A 7-speed automatic with adaptive shift control and downshift rev matching is the lone transmission. The 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 Nissan Armada is a credible entry in this segment, providing a worthwhile alternative to the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia.