2022 Nissan Armada
| MSRP | $50,395 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $50,884 |
2022 Nissan Armada Review
- High-quality, appealing interior
- Smooth V8 engine delivers ample power
- Quiet interior at highway speeds
- Many standard safety features
- No getting around the V8's poor fuel economy
- Third-row seating isn't particularly spacious
- Hard to lift items into the cargo area
- New infotainment interface still feels dated
- No significant changes for 2022
- Part of the second Armada generation introduced for 2017
If there's a Nissan that follows the "go big or go home" mantra, it's the 2022 Armada. This is a big three-row SUV powered by a big and thirsty V8 engine. It's essentially the same vehicle as the Infiniti QX80, but with less glam, fewer features and a lower price. This shared lineage with the Infiniti means the Armada is remarkably refined, but it also means the underlying design and engineering are more than a decade old.
Nissan refreshed the Armada last year, updating its styling and technology. Rugged good looks, a high-quality interior with simple analog controls, legit off-roading capability, and competitive towing capacity all make the Armada a viable pick for a large SUV among top rivals such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer. Learn more about the 2022 Nissan Armada by reading our in-depth Expert Rating of this SUV.
Our verdict | |
The Armada certainly looks the part of a modern full-size SUV. But its recent updates can't fully mask that this is still a trucky, body-on-frame SUV. The sonorous V8 and its associated capability are nice, but overall the Armada lacks the refinement we've come to expect in this class. Other large SUVs have a broader range of talents. | |
How does the Armada drive? | |
The Armada's 5.6-liter V8 engine is stout. At the Edmunds test track, our test Armada sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, which is a second quicker than a similarly priced Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3-liter V8. The Armada also possesses impressive passing power at higher speeds. Just as impressive are the Armada's brakes, which stopped the big SUV from 60 mph in just 123 feet — that's nearly 10 feet shorter than the closest competitor. Around town, the brakes were dependable and consistent. No one's expecting a large SUV to handle particularly well, and even though the Armada is one of the easiest to drive, its handling limits are modest at best. The steering is slow (you need to turn the wheel more than you expect) and there's not much in the way of feel. | |
How comfortable is the Armada? | |
The Armada offers up a fairly quiet and well-isolated driving experience. The broad front seats are comfortable but offer little bolstering to hold you in place around turns. The optional second-row captain's chairs are well padded but can't slide forward and backward to enhance legroom. The third-row seats are rudimentary by today's standards. The climate controls are very straightforward, and while we'd like larger vents for such a big interior, we were more disappointed at the way the climate system can't hold a consistent temperature when set to its auto mode. Our test Armada's ventilated seats were also fairly noisy without providing noticeable cooling. The ride quality is definitely on the soft side. That pays dividends when driving over small and moderate bumps. But it's a liability on bigger undulations where you'll feel some shuddering and jostling. Other SUVs feel tighter and more in control. Our test vehicle's 22-inch wheels with the short tire sidewalls didn't exactly do the ride any favors either. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The front seats have enough space, but the farther back you go, the worse it gets. The second-row captain's chairs are fixed in place (they won't slide like those in some rival SUVs), and the third-row seat is mounted low on the floor and hard to get in and out of. The Armada has a tall ride height too, and the side assist steps are pretty much a necessity, even for average-size adults. The newest Armada dash design has a large infotainment screen and new climate controls. They're easy to use, but the controls and graphics look dated. Outward visibility in the Armada is OK, though the thick front roof pillars and big mirrors can block your view around sharp left turns. The available surround-view camera system goes a long way to alleviating parking stress. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The touchscreen is big, but the graphics still don't look as modern as we'd like. It also takes some time for the system to boot up. Apple CarPlay (with wireless functionality) and Android Auto are standard. Either is preferred to Nissan's native and somewhat clunky infotainment interface. There aren't as many USB and power ports as we expect from a large SUV, and their placement, especially for second-row passengers, isn't ideal. Fortunately, there are plenty of standard advanced safety features. They all operated well in our testing. The adaptive cruise control brakes and accelerates smoothly, though both functions are a little slow to react. | |
How’s the storage? | |
Cargo space is tight behind the third row. Loading items is hampered by the tall cargo floor and long reach over the large rear bumper. With the optional captain's chairs, the second-row armrest sticks out above the cargo floor, complicating the loading of longer objects. Interior storage for front passengers is a little lacking. The front center console is big, but that's pretty much it. You'll likely end up using the front cupholders a lot to hold your other stuff. The Armada does score well for towing. It has an 8,500-pound maximum tow rating when properly equipped, which is right around what you get from the Chevy Tahoe. Most trims come standard with a trailer brake controller. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
The EPA estimates the Armada gets 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway) with four-wheel drive and 1 mpg better across the board with RWD. That's a few mpg less than other full-size SUVs. We achieved 16.5 mpg on our highway-heavy 115-mile evaluation route, so at least the EPA estimates seem accurate. Premium fuel is required to get the most power, but the Armada drives just fine on 87 octane. | |
Is the Armada a good value? | |
The Armada's priced in line with other large SUVs, but the interior materials quality and last-generation technology fall well below current expectations. If your priorities include a powerful V8 engine and strong towing capabilities, the Armada should have some appeal. For those with more conventional needs, it will be a disappointment. Nissan's warranty is merely average. | |
Wildcard | |
The Armada's styling is attractive, and the interior is about as close as Nissan is going to get to being near-luxury. If the Armada does one thing very well, it's making its corporate sibling, the Infiniti QX80, look overpriced. The Armada has no real vices, but with the exception of its stout and sonorous V8 engine, the Armada doesn't excel at anything either. | |
Which Armada does Edmunds recommend?
Nissan Armada models
The 2022 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV with seating capacity of up to eight people. Nissan offers it in S, SV, SL and Platinum trim, each equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine (400 horsepower, 413 lb-ft). A seven-speed automatic transmission powers the rear wheels unless you opt for the four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing.
2022 Nissan Armada pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Base MSRP
- $48,900
- MPG & Fuel
- 14 City / 19 Hwy / 16 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 26.0 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 8 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: rear wheel drive
- Transmission: 7-speed automatic
- Engine
- V8 cylinder
- Horsepower: 400 hp @ 5800 rpm
- Torque: 413 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- N/A
- Dimensions
- Length: 208.9 in. / Height: 75.8 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 79.9 in.
- Curb Weight: 5650 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 16.5 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Armada safety features:
- Intelligent Back-up Intervention
- Detects vehicles approaching from the sides while you're in reverse and automatically brakes the Armada to avoid a collision.
- Intelligent Rear View Mirror
- Camera-based rearview mirror shows an unobstructed 180-degree view of what's behind the Armada.
- Intelligent Around View Monitor
- Displays a 360-degree top-down image of the Armada to fine-tune parking maneuvers.
Nissan Armada vs. the competition
2022 Nissan Armada
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe
Nissan Armada vs. Chevrolet Tahoe
Though Chevrolet redesigned the popular Tahoe just last year, the Nissan Armada comes across as a smoother and more refined SUV. It has a slightly higher maximum towing capacity, too. The Tahoe, on the other hand, offers significantly more passenger room and cargo space and is more fuel-efficient. It's also available with an optional diesel engine that further increases fuel economy. Choosing between the two comes down to what's most important to you in a full-size SUV.
Nissan Armada vs. GMC Yukon
GMC positions the Yukon as a premium SUV, but unless you select the top Denali trim level, it is unconvincing as an upscale choice. Whereas the Nissan Armada is a lower-priced Infiniti QX80, the GMC Yukon is a higher-priced Chevy Tahoe. However, the Yukon's appealing design, coupled with its large interior, habitable third-row seat and cavernous cargo area, help to make up for its lower perceived quality and lower tow rating. You can also get a fuel-efficient and affordable diesel engine in the Yukon, giving you another great reason to consider the GMC.
Nissan Armada vs. Toyota Sequoia
The Toyota Sequoia is an older design than the Nissan Armada, and it doesn't hide its roots in the previous-generation Tundra pickup truck. The gas-gulping Sequoia is also less efficient than the Armada and it falls short in terms of maximum towing capacity. The Sequoia's primary selling points are its spacious interior and huge cargo area. If you can live without them, the Armada is the better choice.
People who viewed this also viewed
FAQ
Is the Nissan Armada a good car?
What's new in the 2022 Nissan Armada?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2022 Nissan Armada:
- No significant changes for 2022
- Part of the second Armada generation introduced for 2017
Is the Nissan Armada reliable?
Is the 2022 Nissan Armada a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2022 Nissan Armada?
The least-expensive 2022 Nissan Armada is the 2022 Nissan Armada S 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $48,900.
Other versions include:
- SV 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $55,900
- Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $68,300
- S 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $48,900
- SL 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $56,710
- Platinum 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $65,300
- SL 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $59,710
- SV 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $52,900
- S 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) which starts at $51,900