2021 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: The 2021 Nissan Armada has refreshed styling and more standard safety features. Nissan Safety Shield 360 (automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking) is now standard on all models. Inside, there is a new 12.3-inch control screen and a 7-inch driver-assist display in the instrument cluster. Horsepower increases from 390 to 400. Unfortunately, these upgrades add around $5000 to the base price. Armada was redesigned for 2017 and 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 400 horsepower and 413 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 adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, back-seat alert, LED headlights, 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.