There’s a lot to be said for small and compact crossover models, delivering the functionality of an SUV in a package more suitable to many people’s lives. And yet, sometimes you just need a really big vehicle with three rows of seating to fit a big group of friends or a large family—that’s when nothing can beat a full-size SUV. If you’re interested in a full-size SUV, then you might already be looking for a Nissan Armada for sale; if you’re not, then you probably should be. Don’t believe me? Well, let’s take a look at what the 2023 Armada brings to the road, and you’ll see for yourself why it can be such a fantastic choice.
Bold Power and Performance
Some people think that an interest in powerful engines is purely the providence of sports car and truck fans, but everyone deserves a vehicle that’s enjoyable to drive. A big part of that comes down to the engine and the kind of performance that it delivers—hence why I’m so happy to see such impressive power packed into the Nissan Armada. It features an Endurance 5.6L V8 engine that delivers 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine comes paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission for a smooth and responsive driving experience. While this is a heavy, full-size SUV, it still has plenty of power to make driving a lot of fun.
Even more impressive than that, every Nissan Armada has four-wheel drive (4WD) with a double-wishbone independent front and rear suspension—and that comes standard. You don’t have to pay more or choose a particular trim to get fantastic 4WD performance, which makes the Armada perfect for dealing with rough winter weather or if you want something that will get you to your favourite campground. With such a large vehicle, having power go to all four wheels makes driving much more enjoyable. This is the sort of thing that can be easy to overlook when you’re shopping, yet it makes a tremendous difference while you own your SUV.
Gorgeous on the Outside
Style isn’t everything. In fact, it’s one of the things I care least about when looking at a vehicle. Admittedly, we all like a stylish and cosmetically appealing ride, but the exterior needs to be more than that, which is the case with the Armada. To be fair, it’s a good-looking SUV; there’s nothing revolutionary here, perhaps, but the sleek lines and powerful stance serve its full-size design well, and it’s a captivating piece of machinery.
Beyond looks, however, you find things like available 56 cm wheels, roof rails that come standard on every model, and standard automatic LED headlights. Every Armada comes with LED fog lights and a power-sliding moonroof, and its powerful design allows for more than 3,855 kg of towing capacity. The higher Platinum trims feature a few upgrades, like rain-sensing windshield wipers and chrome exterior mirrors, to elevate its looks and functionality.
Spacious on the Inside
Just to be clear, the Nissan Armada is a big ol’ beast of an SUV with a lot of room inside. Every Armada comes with three rows of seating; the standard SL and Platinum trims have seating for up to eight people thanks to a second-row bench, while an available Platinum Captain’s Chairs trim swaps that out for a pair of standalone chairs in the second row and seating for up to seven passengers. No matter your setup, you’ll find more than 2,700 L of maximum cargo space and over 4,780 L in total interior volume with the Armada. It also has more than one metre of headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows of seating, with just under a metre of headroom and 0.72 metres of legroom in the rear third row.
Impressive Technology and Comfort
You don’t just get plenty of room inside the Nissan Armada to stretch out; it’s also appointed with all kinds of impressive technology and rich comfort features. Some of this will depend on the trim you’re looking at, of course, but even the standard SL trim includes things like a Nissan Intelligent Key with Remote Engine Start, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and a power liftgate that makes loading and unloading the Armada easy. You’ll also find an auto-dimming rearview mirror in every model, leather-appointed seating with heated front seats, an 18 cm driver display, and a 31 cm infotainment display with a Bose Premium 13-speaker sound system.
Looking at the Platinum trim, you’ll find several nice upgrades, but it’s still remarkable just how much comes packed into the standard model. The Platinum Armada (both the traditional version and the one with captain’s chairs) features heated second-row seats plus climate-controlled front seats; you even get a contrast-stitched heated leather-wrapped steering wheel with memory settings. You’ll also find little details in the Platinum model, like illuminated cup holders, to make your overall driving experience even sweeter. The takeaway here is that Nissan has loaded up the standard model with some exciting features, and moving up to the Platinum gets you a bit more without making it feel like you’re missing out on much if you choose the starting trim.
Protecting Those You Care About
As far as I’m considered, when you’re looking for a vehicle, absolutely nothing is as important as protecting your passengers, yourself, and others on the road. One of my favourite things about the auto industry these days is how well manufacturers are pushing for new kinds of safety tech—the only downside is that they too often harbour them only in high-level trims. Every Nissan Armada comes with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes fantastic driver assistance technology like an Intelligent Collision Warning to alert you to a potential crash, plus Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection.
You’ll also find technology like a Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which can detect and warn you about vehicles approaching to cross behind you when you’re backing up, plus High Beam Assist that can automatically deactivate your high beams to avoid blinding oncoming drivers. Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention, Intelligent Lane Intervention, and Intelligent Cruise Control are also standard on all Armada models, helping you to avoid merging into someone, keep you from drifting out of your lane, and help to take some of the stress out of long road trips. Even an Intelligent Around View Monitor is standard on every model, giving you a better sense of what’s around you while you’re navigating tight spaces.
Only a few safety features aren’t standard, but you’ll find them on the Platinum model if you want to take things even further. There’s Traffic Sign Recognition, which can detect traffic signs and speed limits to keep you aware of what’s going on, an Intelligent Rearview Mirror, and an Intelligent Backup Intervention system to help you avoid accidentally reversing into things unseen. Besides these three options, everything you could want to help protect you and those you care about is standard on the Armada.
Is the Armada Right for You?
Ultimately, your suitability with the Nissan Armada comes down to your needs and what you desire in your next vehicle. If you want a full-size SUV with seating for seven or eight people, and impressive power, luxury, and innovative technology all standard, then the Armada is a fantastic choice. That being said, it can certainly be overkill if a smaller crossover will work better for you, but that’s why you have so many different models and options to choose from. It’s clear that Nissan has done pretty much everything right with the Armada—it just depends on if it checks all of your boxes.
