Nissan Armada Review

2010 Nissan Armada Platinum SUV Shown

An "armada" usually refers to a large group of things, primarily a number of large ships. It's a fitting name for Nissan's first entry in the popular large SUV segment, and pretty much every aspect of it is size L or XL. If you like your SUVs heavy on power, then that large group of ponies under the hood will be just your thing. The Armada's robust V8 translates into lots of muscle and an impressive tow rating. And then there's the large group of cubic inches in the Armada's cabin -- this is a super-spacious SUV that's also chock-full of storage areas.

The cons are as you'd expect: Fuel mileage is atrocious, and the vehicle's size means that parking can easily become a white-knuckle ordeal. But if these drawbacks really bothered you, you wouldn't consider buying the Nissan Armada in the first place.

The Armada hauls like a gorilla on steroids, and comes out on top in terms of sheer brute force. If brawn is not of paramount importance for you, though, you'd be wise to take a look at some seven-passenger crossover SUVs, which have more to offer in terms of comfort and refinement.

Current Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is a full-size sport-ute that seats up to eight passengers. Nissan's big SUV boasts a look that may best be described as aggressive. If you're the kind of driver who thinks an SUV should wear its brawn on its sleeve, then this is the ride for you. Its front fascia is nothing short of menacing, and its bumpers and fenders have the sort of bulging mass usually associated with power lifters and gridiron gods.

Buyers can choose from two trims with the Nissan Armada. Base SEs won't leave you wanting, thanks to features like dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, an in-dash CD changer and rear-seat air-conditioning. The top-of-the-line LE loses the trail-busting accoutrements but adds luxury-themed goodies like a power liftgate, a rearview camera, heated leather seats and an upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio system. Popular options include a hard-drive-based navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system.

The Armada gets its juice from a 5.6-liter V8 that cranks out 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The mighty engine facilitates a tow rating of 9,100 pounds and is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. All Armadas have the option of two- and four-wheel drive.

The cabin's aesthetic is just as testosterone-spiked as the rest of the ride. Buttons and displays are king-sized all around, as are the front- and second-row seats. The truck's huge cabin makes for impressive head- and legroom. The third row offers high, stadium-style seating; legroom is adequate but short seat bottoms make this row one for the kids. Storage space is plentiful, with no shortage of overhead storage bins.

In our editorial reviews, we noted that the Nissan Armada's V8 allows for brisk acceleration. However, the truck's heft quickly becomes apparent in cornering maneuvers and when bringing the vehicle to a halt. Nevertheless, the Armada offers a smooth ride and a pleasant driving experience, both on the highway and around town. In consumer reviews, the Armada won kudos for its back-up camera and "roominess in all three rows of seating," but took some blows for its poor gas mileage.

Used Nissan Armada Models

The current-generation Armada was introduced as an all-new model for 2004. It was initially named the Pathfinder Armada, but Nissan dropped the homage to its smaller SUV sibling in the Armada's second year of production. The most notable changes to this model occurred in 2008 with interior and exterior restyling and new technology features like keyless ignition, Bluetooth and a hard-drive-based navigation system. Until 2007, there was an SE Off-Road trim level that toughened things up for off-pavement adventures, with features like skid plates, a lower final-drive ratio and all-terrain tires.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.