2020 Nissan Armada Review

Name: 2020 Nissan Armada
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $13,330 - $36,990

Nissan Armada Platinum 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Below Average

6.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

You won't pay a ton for an 2020 Armada, and the Platinum is well equipped and appears nicely built. But the interior looks more comfortable than it is, and the controls and infotainment system are woefully outdated. The V8 engine sounds great and feels strong, but the Armada otherwise comes across as clumsy and unsatisfying while on the move. In the end, it feels about a decade behind the times because it essentially is.

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Average price: $24,112

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Appraise My 2020 Nissan Armada

Nissan Armada model years

Nissan Armada for Sale

Pros

High-quality interior is appealing
Smooth V8 engine delivers ample power
Quiet interior at highway speeds
Many standard and optional safety features

Cons

No getting around the V8's poor fuel economy
Infotainment system is dated and lacks Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
Third-row seating isn't particularly spacious
Hard to lift items into the cargo area

What's new

Small changes to trim levels and feature availability
Part of the second Armada generation introduced for 2017

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

12/10/2019

The heyday of large body-on-frame SUVs is long past due to the rise of crossovers, which are generally more affordable, fuel-efficient and comfortable. But the handful that remains does enjoy some advantages over their car-based rivals, including higher towing capabilities and superior off-road performance. The 2020 Nissan Armada is the least expensive of these traditional utility vehicles, yet it boasts competitive towing numbers and an automatically leveling rear air suspension. Its luxury-lite interior design also makes a stronger impression than its more austere competition.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

38 listings

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2020 Nissan Armada
SL 4dr SUV
$18,950
good price
$2,791 below market
- 78,026 miles
- 8 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- 24 mi away
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Arlington, VA
Distinguished 2020 Nissan Armada SL Sport Utility 4D AvailableThis 2020 Nissan Armada SL Sport Utility 4D stands as a testament to refined engineering...
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JN8AY2ND8L9105202
Stock:
105202
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2020 Nissan Armada
SV 4dr SUV
$14,987
great price
$5,088 below market
- 89,087 miles
- 8 Seats, 14 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- 7 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Third-row seating
Close
Located in Leesburg, VA
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (14 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
JN8AY2ND0L9105212
Stock:
L105212
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
06-27-2026

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But the Armada falls woefully short in other areas. The ancient tech interface — with its crummy graphics, confusing menu structure, and notable lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration — is just the tip of the iceberg. The suspension is bouncy and excessively soft, while the seats are flat, unsupportive and unyielding. The third row is far too tight for adults, and the otherwise useful cargo area is hampered by a significant liftover height and protruding rear bumper. The standard V8 is also extremely thirsty, so the Armada's price advantage goes right out the door once you start filling it with gas.

The Armada is budget-priced and nicely equipped for the money, but it lacks the refinement of its competitors.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Below Average

6.9

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Nissan Armada on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Armada drive? Driving the Armada is a mixed bag. The V8 engine makes plenty of power and sounds fantastic, and the seven-speed transmission delivers that power smoothly and predictably. The brakes are suitably strong and bring the Armada to a smooth stop.

Alas, straight-line performance is all the Armada does well. The steering doesn't give you a good feel for how much you're turning; driver focus is required. The Armada also leans and wallows in corners more than we'd like. While we don't expect a big SUV like this one to be sporty, rivals do a better job of conveying a sense of precision and handling stability.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the Armada? The Armada's main claim to fame here is the utter quietness with which it goes about its business. It's hushed inside unless you floor the throttle. Then you hear the V8 roar to life, but it's a robust, pleasant sound that's impressive without being overbearing. Roll off the throttle and it fades into the background.

But we're not nearly as enthusiastic about the seats. They look comfortable, but the lower cushions are overly hard and flat, which isn't what you want on a long road trip. The ride quality, too, is disappointing. The suspension tuning is overly soft, so the Armada pitches around a lot when you maneuver. And it does a poor job of smoothing out big bumps.

Interior

7/10

How’s the interior? The Armada isn't as big on the inside as the outside suggests. The front seats offer decent room, but the back seats feel cramped in legroom and toe room if anyone tall is up front. It's especially bad because the second row does not slide. The third row is OK but is realistically best suited for kids.

This Nissan is a tall SUV, and the side steps, generous door openings and grab handles come in handy for stepping in. Once inside, you'll find a high driving position that may not be as customizable as you might like. The controls are familiar but in a decade-old kind of way that could stand an update. Visibility, on the other hand, is mostly excellent thanks to the Armada's large windows.

Technology

6/10

How’s the tech? The Armada is in serious need of an infotainment system transplant. The screen has coarse graphics, the controls and menus are hard to comprehend, and it's hard to sort through your music library. Good luck finding a specific podcast episode, for example. Map data isn't easily upgraded either. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is absent, which would fix many of these ills.

The news is much better when it comes to driver assistance features. Adaptive cruise and automatic emergency braking are standard on all models. And the Platinum also comes with standard lane keeping assistance, ProPilot Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking intervention, a 360-degree camera and more.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? Towing is where the Armada shines brightest thanks to a standard rear air suspension, pre-installed wiring, and a strong V8 that supports an 8,500-pound tow rating. The Armada also excels when it comes to in-cabin storage for personal items, with a generous glovebox, a big center console and abundant cupholders. It's easy to fit child safety seats in the second row, but the third row isn't set up nearly as well.

The Armada's main cargo hold prevents it from earning a higher score. The space is generous, but the load floor is high and the rear bumper gets in your way when you try to reach in to grab anything. Also, the load floor isn't completely flat because the second-row center armrest sticks up like an island when you fold the seats down.

Fuel Economy

5/10

How’s the fuel economy? There's nothing good you can say about a rating of 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway) except that the two-wheel-drive Armada is rated 1 mpg higher across the board. We've tested Armada 4x4s on two occasions, and the average across both of those tests was 13.6 mpg. None of this should be too surprising because this is a heavy truck-based SUV with a V8 engine. Indeed the price you pay for gasoline will sober you up if you partake in too much of the Armada's intoxicating V8 power.

Value

7/10

Is the Armada a good value? At first glance, the Nissan Armada seems like a good buy because it comes across as very well built. This is even more impressive because it is affordably priced when compared to its competition. There are few options at the top end, and all of the active safety driving technology is standard on the Platinum at a competitive price. Its standard load-leveling rear suspension is also appealing.

You'll pay for all of that in gasoline because its EPA ratings are quite poor, and our drivers fell short of achieving even those numbers. Nissan's warranty is merely average, and the duration of its roadside assistance coverage is average at best.

Wildcard

6.5/10

The Armada isn't particularly attractive until you climb inside, and even then it's a throwback experience. It does look well built and comfy. But on the comfort side, the reality doesn't quite match the perception. It's also only got one trick when it comes to driving: That V8 makes lots of power, and it sounds great. But that's where the fun begins and ends because this bulky behemoth feels overly buoyant if the road is uneven or winding. Once you get it up to speed, which won't take long, it's best to drive it at a modest pace on the smoothest, straightest roads you can find.

2020 Nissan Armada trim level differences

The 2020 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that seats eight passengers. Second-row captain's chairs are available on the SL and Platinum trims and reduce seating to seven. All Armada trims use a 5.6-liter V8 engine (390 horsepower, 394 lb-ft of torque) paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. The Armada's trim levels start at the SV, move up to the midgrade SL, and finish with the nearly fully loaded Platinum. Compare the 2020 Nissan Armada trim levels in-depth.

Which Armada trim does Edmunds recommend?

Our pick is the midtrim SL, which adds leather upholstery, a top-down parking camera, and a handful of extra convenience features. It also opens the door to the Premium package — its blind-spot monitor is worth the price of admission alone.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$302/mo

$296/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

See Edmunds pricing data

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Reliability

The 2020 Nissan Armada has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5, ranks it #3 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average

#3 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$522/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

1.44x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

13.9%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 21V373000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: R21A2, R21
Number of vehicles affected:: 24140
Defect Description:: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Armada and 2020-2021 INFINITI QX80 vehicles equipped with V8 engines. The impeller can swell and bind within the fuel pump module, causing it to fail.
Defect Consequence:: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 4, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A2. Owners may contact INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's number for this recall is R21A3.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Nissan Armada Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.5

33 reviews

5(43%)

4(12%)

3(15%)

2(15%)

1(15%)

See all 33 reviews of the Nissan Armada

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Armada save 10K OVER the others

Big Ed, 07/20/2019

2019 Nissan Armada SL 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A)

My first impression when looking to buy a new large SUV was that the Nissan gave me more for less. Have experience in R&D for a key supplier for the automotive manufacturers, I also know there is no free lunch. GM interiors stink in part on the quality of the plastics they specify. The gaps, finishes wearing off items, it is all related. Ford is better/tighter in its specs and the …

Continues to be a Great SUV!

Matt B, 07/28/2019

2019 Nissan Armada Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A)

We now have over 100k on our Armada and we still like it, but we finally had several repair issues between 30-100k. First, we had battery/electric system issues. We are now on our 3rd battery and the dealership says this was from our aftermarket trailer brake attachment, but who knows? That's annoying, but nothing that can't be overcome and we don't really tow that frequently anyways, … so we just leave it disconnected now and maybe they were right because we haven't had any issues in over a year now. The major issue that we had regarded the safety sensors. Please Google Nissan Armada BCI malfunction because it's unfortunately common in both the Armada and Q80 platforms. Basically, the BCI malfunction results in your safety sensors not working as intended, which initially disables most, if not all, of the auto safe features of the vehicle. Driver's assists, such as adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, lane departure/collision, etc, are either degraded or disabled. However, there are reports of the vehicle's faulty sensors deciding to spontaneously turn on resulting in a near-instantaneous restoring of driver assist functions and results in an unwelcomed, if not dangerous, safety correction - which did happen to my wife while driving down I-10 resulting in her being pulled off into the shoulder due to inappropriate breaking and a "lane departure assist" that she did not require or desire. Thankfully, this was the only instance that we had with our Armada and we never experienced the advanced issues that others have reported, but it did result in the replacement of 2 x faulty sensors. Side note, the dealership initially told us that "all of the sensors required replacement." Our Armada has never been in an accident and has received all of the scheduled maintenance items, so it has been abused by our family of 6 on road trips, but it has been maintained. Aside from this, we still enjoy the comfortable ride and it does very well for 5 people with luggage/gear, but you will still need a trailer tow-hitch or back pack/small bags if you are traveling with 6+ with luggage/gear (think sporting event weekends, beach trips, etc). After 100k, mileage continues to remain unchanged. We are still happy with our purchase and so long as you don't have a BCI warning, we still recommend the Armada to anybody looking for a family SUV that can handle just about anything. Original Review Below: The 2019 Platinum Armada comes equipped with just about every bell and whistle that you could want. While the tech and layout are somewhat outdated compared to newer competitor models, the Armada continues to provide a comfortable ride with tons of safety features and it's actually fun to drive. While it may be somewhat outdated, the tech that the Armada offers is decent. The driver display and cabin layout are efficient and easy to learn. The maps and Navigation system are accurate and work well, but the system is cumbersome to input an address into. You can import locations/addresses via your smartphone, but this is still a chore and I never fully got the hang of it (or honestly cared to). That being said, it still is functional and works well. There is no Android Auto or Apple Car Play in the Armada, which as I previously said is weird because other Nissan models have it, but oh well. Our family has both Android and Apple and everybody can connect their phones to the system via Bluetooth or USB. There are 4 x accessible and usable USB ports: 2 x in the front and 2 x in the middle row, which work great. As I said in my previous review, we are coming from a Honda Odyssey minivan, which has the central TV screen. The Armada has the dual, built in TV screens in the back of the front seat headrests. The middle row USB can control their respective side TV screen to independently play/stream media, if desired. Or you can play DVD from the front console (only DVD, not BluRay). Additionally, we haven't had any issues or complaints with our kids viewing the TV screens from the back seats. Finally, the sound system is awesome. I'm not sure if this is from the Bose sound system, the sound dampening interior, or combination of both, but whether it's music, podcasts, or movies playing, the sound is great. The seats are very comfortable and there is more than enough passenger comfort space in the front and middle row captain chairs. The front seats are ventilated/heated and can be multipositioned. The middle seats are heated, can be reclined/inclined, and are still very plush, roomy, and comfortable. The 3rd row in the back is definitely not the same. I'm 6'2" and can fit back there, but I wouldn't want to go more than an hour riding in the back. Our family of 6 with 2 x dogs can still take road trips (see luggage/cargo concern below). I still like all of the safety/driver aids. The adaptive cruise control holds speed and standoff distance like a champ. The collision warning/self breaking can be harsh, so check your settings, but it works well. The lane keeping assist can be overbearing at times, but it's easy to disable if you don't like it. I only enable it on long road trips and it's nice once you learn the nuances. The blind spot warning and intervention works well and the cameras offer true dimensions and great lines of sight. We have found the Armada to be very responsive and it handles much better than you would expect from a big SUV. It turns sharply, handles well and thanks to the V8, you most certainly can get up and go if needed. City and highway driving are nice thanks to the high ride with excellent lines of sight. The only blind spots I have issues with are the right front and rear bumper regions - and thanks to the bird's eye view, safety cameras, large mirrors, and warning systems, this really isn't an issue. It offers a smooth, level ride despite any turns or potholes encountered. We haven't really needed the 4WD, but on the 2 x occasions we used it, it performed well and we didn't get stuck in mud. We haven't really been in icy/snowy conditions much, but so far, the Armada has handled well in all environments. My only concerns continue to be the relative poor fuel economy and lack of luggage space with all 3 rows in use. With respect to the fuel economy, it's a 3 ton SUV with a large V8, so expect it to be bad. We're still averaging 14 mpg mixed with city and highway driving. We have found that true city stop and go driving gets in the 10-12 mpg range and highway driving gets in the 16-20 mpg range. With the middle row Captain's Chairs installed, there is actually a fair amount of internal storage space in the cabin, so the personal space is awesome, but the back luggage area will barely fit 2 full size suit cases unless the 3rd row seats are straight 90 degrees. We ended up getting a trailer tow hitch with a cargo bag to overcome this. It's a hassle, but well worth it (side note - minimal, if any, effect on gas mileage). Final note, we towed a small travel trailer (~4000 lbs) and the Armada handled it as though it wasn't there, with the exception of the trash fuel economy (we averaged 8-9 mpg while towing).

Severely Underrated SUV

Anne Dorothy Richardson-L, 10/15/2023

2020 Nissan Armada SL 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A)

The first time I drove the Nissan Armada was a mistake. I was moving across the country and was given the Armada instead of the Suburban I had requested. Was I upset!!! I attempted to exchange the car for another SUV and was out of luck. I wasn't thrilled about the look and wasn't happy about the lack of cargo space. Well, after putting 2000 miles on the rental, I was sold. It got me …

We are very pleased with our purchase!

Zac, 08/28/2019

2019 Nissan Armada Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A)

We bought our 2019 Armada Platinum about a month ago. This is our 2nd Armada. We’ve racked up about 800 miles so far and it’s everything we hoped it would be. Comfortable, quiet ride. Very roomy. Kids love the captains chairs in the back as well as the DVD player. I keep hearing folks talk about the gas mileage, what do you expect when you buy a beast. You can’t have everything. Go buy …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Nissan Armada, so we've included reviews for other years of the Armada since its last redesign.

2020 Armada Features & Specs

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$47,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$302/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Armada models:

Blind-Spot Warning: Warns the driver if there is a vehicle in the Armada's blind spot.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Monitors proximity to the vehicle ahead. In an imminent collision, the Armada can apply the brakes to avoid or mitigate impact.
Intelligent Around View Monitor: Displays a 360-degree top-down image of the car to fine-tune parking maneuvers.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall3 / 5
Driver2 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover23.7%

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