| MSRP | $50,395 |
|---|---|
| Edmunds suggests you pay | $49,865 |
The Armada is the biggest and baddest SUV in Nissan's lineup. Based on the same mechanical bits that underpin the Infiniti QX80, the Armada is a large three-row SUV that employs classic body-on-frame construction. These bones don't make for the most comfortable or exciting-driving SUV, but if you have to tow or venture off-road, the Armada gets the job done.
For 2021, the Nissan Armada receives a few key updates that Nissan hopes will keep the Armada competitive against the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. On the outside, a new grille, redesigned bumpers, and reworked headlights and taillights. Inside, there's a restyled center stack that is less monolithic than before. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is perched on top, with a slim but clearly labeled row of climate controls underneath.
Overall, we like the updated Armada but find rival SUVs have broader appeal. Want to know more? Read our in-depth Expert Rating evaluation below for more detail.
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 Armada newest 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 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? | |
Pricing is 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. | |
The 2021 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that seats up to eight passengers. It comes in four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. All Armada trims have a 5.6-liter V8 engine. Maximum output is 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque when using premium fuel. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is rear-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive with low-range gearing is optional. Other feature highlights include:
2021 Nissan Armada
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe
Redesigned for 2021, the Chevrolet Tahoe is a top competitor for the Nissan Armada. It has a modern interior, several available engine choices, and a wide variety of trim levels depending on your preferences. The Armada is less expensive, but you get more space and comfort by going with the Tahoe.
The Ford Expedition is the Edmunds' top-rated large SUV. It has a comfortable and quiet interior, a powerful turbocharged V6, modern tech, and lots of space for adults in all three rows. To match the Armada's equipment, you have to go up a few trim levels on the Ford, making it more expensive, but we think it's worth the price.
If you're looking at the Armada because you need a three-row SUV to haul your family around but you don't necessarily need big-boat towing power, the Kia Telluride is an excellent choice. It's a bit smaller than the Armada, but it's less expensive, even in higher trim levels. The Telluride easily bests the Armada in interior refinement and value.
The Armada is the biggest and baddest SUV in Nissan's lineup. Based on the same mechanical bits that underpin the Infiniti QX80, the Armada is a large three-row SUV that employs classic body-on-frame construction. These bones don't make for the most comfortable or exciting driving, but if you have to tow or venture off-road, the Armada gets the job done.
But first, the powertrain, which carries forward to the 2021 Armada. The burly 5.6-liter V8 now produces 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, but only if you fill the tank with 93 octane fuel. Otherwise, it churns out the same 390 hp and 394 lb-ft as last year. A seven-speed automatic remains the sole transmission.
The driver's seat is spacious and well cushioned, and it should allow for hours of comfortable touring. Unfortunately, that doesn't hold true for the second or third row seats. The second-row captain's chairs have only an adequate amount of legroom and the seat cushions are a bit low and short, resulting in a lack of thigh support even for average-size adults. The seatbacks recline but there's no sliding function to get more legroom. The third row should be for kids only, and even then, we don't expect they'll be comfortable. The seat cushion is mounted almost right on the floor, forcing passengers relegated back there into more of a knees-on-your-chest position.
The cabin of the Armada receives the lion's share of updates. Gone is the center stack stuffed with an array of buttons and a dated dash-mounted infotainment controller. Instead, the refreshed Armada presents a center stack that is less monolithic than before. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is perched on top, with a slim but clearly labeled row of climate controls underneath. There's also a cubby that conceals the newly available wireless charging pad.
The new touchscreen will go a long way toward making the Armada feel like a modern SUV. The addition of a wireless charging pad and standard wireless Apple CarPlay further cements that impression, though Android Auto remains a tethered affair.
Like many three-row SUVs, the Armada has limited cargo capacity behind the third row, measuring just 16.5 cubic feet. That's about what you'd expect from a midsize family sedan on paper, but in practice it's not nearly as accommodating. That space is mostly vertical and assumes you'll be packing it to the headliner.
To be blunt, it isn't. For the money, the Armada falls short when it comes to interior quality, infotainment and cargo space. Nowadays, we expect more in all of these metrics. Fuel economy is also disappointing. Nissan estimates the Armada will get 16 mpg combined (14 city/19 highway) for the rear-wheel-drive variant. Getting 4WD drops those estimates by 1 mpg across the board.
Edmunds saysThe 2021 Nissan Armada's refreshed exterior and up-to-date tech offerings help extend this big SUV's longevity. But even with these improvements, the Armada faces an uphill battle against the Ford Expedition and the redesigned Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Nissan Armada:
The least-expensive 2021 Nissan Armada is the 2021 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:
