Somewhere in America, another busy and growing suburban family with younger children is currently hunting for a new vehicle, and they are confused. Does this sound like you? If so, you’re in good company. Automakers are vying for your business, continuously redesigning their large SUV lineups in hopes of finally delivering the perfect package. And, finally, one has come pretty close. We invite you to consider the 2022 Nissan Armada.
Nissan’s flagship SUV gets a makeover for the 2022 model year, but what hasn’t changed is its truck-like architecture and boxy design. Why do we think it represents the best overall option for families with young children? The Armada hits the mark for value, interior space, and standard (and available) safety features. A quick spec comparison reveals the Armada offers more standard features on the base model than its rivals.
Before you lay down upwards of $60,000 for any large SUV, we recommend considering how the vehicle benefits everyone in the family, including toddlers and babies. Buying a minivan is an easy choice because they’re built for families, but if your heart’s set on a big SUV, it’s important to ensure features like easy-to-reach LATCH systems are part of the package. Read on for more tips on finding and buying the right SUV for your brood.
#1 – Beware of Cloth Seats (and possibly leather)
Let’s be honest – mopping up a sippy cup explosion is a lot less soul-sucking when you’re not dealing with absorbent cloth seats. We’re going out on a limb here and putting cloth upholstery permanently on the “no” list for young families. All it takes is one milk spill to introduce a something-smells-bad vibe that you’ll never get rid of – ever. Instead, opt for leather seating even if it requires traveling up the trim range.
Even better, if the vehicle is offered with man-made seating surfaces (vinyl), you might want to go that route. Don’t worry, though, because manufacturers know the word vinyl elicits existential angst for style-minded buyers, so now they call it clever names like “leatherette.” Case in point: the 2022 Nissan Armada SV features upgraded leatherette seats. They’re easier to wipe down and won’t absorb odors. In our book, they’re required to win the parent games.
#2 – Select All-Around Camera Views
Driving a large SUV puts you at an immediate visibility disadvantage, making driver-assist and camera technology mandatory. All new vehicles are required to include a backup camera, but that only gets you one view. It’s especially difficult to see what’s right in front of the bumper, making sensors and cameras your best friend. These driving aids are quickly graduating from nice-to-have to mandatory, especially on larger vehicles like full-size SUVs.
Standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection is a good start, and it’s commonly found in automakers’ core driver-assist suites. It’s also almost always standard on more expensive vehicles like large SUVs. We think a vehicle of this size necessitates a 360-degree camera, a feature that is not only not standard, but sometimes not available at all. Fortunately, Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor offers a vivid split-screen display on the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen.
#3 – Say Yes to All the Sanity Savers
When was the last time you took your young family out for dinner? Next time you do, take a moment to observe other families. You are very likely to see more than one mini human glued to a device screen while the family waits for their food. Keeping little ones quiet and entertained is a Herculean task that’s made easier by handheld devices. We can argue the parenting wisdom behind the decision to distract with media, but even the best parents need an assist sometimes.
Now consider your next family road trip: what is your toddler doing for the 3+ hour drive? Unless you want to play Kidz Bop on a loop or pull over every eleven minutes to quiet your restless offspring, you might want to pick an SUV with lots of entertainment extras. Look for plenty of device chargers, a vehicle-wide Wi-Fi hotspot, and even a rear-seat entertainment system. Whatever you do, don’t buy a vehicle that doesn’t offer a multi-zone entertainment system. Otherwise, you’ll be singing along with the Kidz Bop cast.
#4 – Go For Adjustable Multi-Zone Climate Control
You’re always cold, but as the little league team clambers in the backseat of your SUV, they immediately gripe about the Sahara-desert-in-summer cabin temperature. What’s a thin-blooded mom to do? Rather than opening the windows (and introducing that awful vibrating sound in the process), simply adjust the rear seat temperature setting. There. Everyone’s happy now. If you’re driving a big vehicle, there is no reason why every occupant shouldn’t be comfortable, and that includes temperature.
Large SUVs like the Nissan Armada are available with Dual-Zone and even Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control. These systems delineate zones and allow passengers to adjust the temperature independently of each other. Nissan even adds extra vents for rear-seat passengers, so they’re not relying on two tiny vents stuck to the back of the console. Way back passengers also get their own temperature setting, which might offset the pain of being banished to third-row purgatory.
#5 – Choose Power Everything
Successful parenting requires a substantial amount of gear, including ungainly car seats that weigh more than your kid does, giant overstuffed diaper bags, and let’s not forget the stroller, that feat of engineering that sadly requires an engineering degree to unfold. Backs are straining everywhere in suburbia, which is why your vehicle needs to be easily accessible. If you have to do anything manually, trust us, you’ll regret it. Also, big swings in temperature require a strategy so that the first 10 minutes of your morning aren’t disturbed by cries of “it’s hot!” or “I’m freezing.”
We recommend looking for a large SUV with the following equipment: a power liftgate with bonus points if it’s hands-free, power-folding third-row seats for easier switching between extra cargo stowage and extra passengers, and a remote start system. Why a remote start? The first time you drive carpool on a day with subzero temperatures, you will have your answer. Life is more enjoyable for everyone when your vehicle is toasty warm. The same holds true in reverse for hot summer days – make today the last day you burn the backs of your thighs on superheated seats.
Make Your SUV Work For Your Family
As you embark on the large vehicle purchase process, try to keep in mind all the little daily annoyances and struggles you (and your family) will face. As parents, we all know that the little things quickly add up, creating stress and headaches. It may seem indulgent to add a rear-seat entertainment system to your new SUV, but if you’re frequent road trippers and your toddler has trouble hanging on to his tablet, your decision could help avoid multiple stops to dig a dropped device out from underneath the seat.
Ask yourself how or if any given option or feature will make life easier, then go from there. Parenting is hard enough without having to deal with tiny aggravations brought on by a lack of convenience features. A power liftgate isn’t really a premium feature when you’re juggling three grocery bags, your keys, your wallet, and a toddler in the throes of a meltdown. That power liftgate might just save your sanity. Our verdict? Get the large SUV with the most convenience and luxury features you can afford. You won’t regret it.
