Overview & Reviews
The word "armada" usually refers to a group of large moving things. It's a fitting name for Nissan's entry in the large SUV segment, because pretty much every aspect of this beast is size L or XL. The Nissan Armada's standard 5.6-liter V8, for example, enables you to tow trailers and campers with ease. And then there's the large number of cubic feet in the Armada's cabin -- this is a very spacious SUV that's also loaded with storage areas.
The downsides are typical for this segment. Fuel mileage is poor, and the Armada's supersized dimensions can turn parking into a frustrating ordeal. If brute force isn't a top priority for you, we'd recommend looking at three-row crossover SUVs, which offer superior fuel economy and maneuverability. But if you need a rig that hauls like a gorilla on steroids, the Armada's got you covered.
Current Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that seats up to eight passengers in its three standard rows. Buyers can choose from three trim levels: SV, SL and Platinum.
The base SV won't leave you wanting, offering side-step rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The SL trim adds 20-inch wheels, an auto-leveling rear suspension, leather upholstery, Bose audio, a power-folding third row and a power liftgate. The Platinum trim includes front parking sensors, a sunroof, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system with music storage. Note that the Platinum can be specified with second-row captain's chairs in place of the standard three-passenger bench, dropping passenger capacity to seven.
All Armadas are equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and a 5.6-liter V8 that cranks out 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive is the default, with four-wheel drive (including low-range gearing) optional across the board. The Armada's tow rating is a healthy 9,100 pounds, although those 317 horses make for a modest herd by modern V8 standards. Not surprisingly, they're also thirsty -- overall fuel economy maxes out at around 15 mpg.
The Armada's cabin is quite classy, with intuitive controls that are familiar from vehicles throughout the Nissan/Infiniti family. Head- and legroom are excellent in the first two seating rows. The third row offers high, stadium-style seating with adequate legroom, but short seat bottoms make this row one for the kids. Storage space is plentiful, with a generous supply of handy bins and nooks.
In our reviews, we've noted that the Nissan Armada's V8 provides brisk acceleration, but the truck's heft quickly reveals itself in cornering maneuvers and braking. Still, the Armada offers a smooth ride and a pleasant driving experience, both on the highway and around town.
Used Nissan Armada Models
The current-generation Armada debuted for the 2004 model year. It was initially named the Pathfinder Armada, but Nissan dropped the Pathfinder connection for the Armada's second year of production. There were two primary trim levels: SE and LE. The SE Off-Road package, offered from 2004-06, toughened things up with features like skid plates, a lower final-drive ratio and all-terrain tires.
The 2008 model year saw minor exterior changes and a major interior overhaul; prior to that, the Armada's dash resembled a silver plastic boom box. New technology features like keyless ignition, Bluetooth and a hard-drive-based navigation system also appeared for '08. The LE trim level was supplanted by the Titanium and Platinum trims for 2010, while the SE received standard front side airbags.
The current trim level trio -- SV, SL and Platinum -- arrived for the 2011 model year. The SL upgraded to a standard power liftgate for 2012, while the Platinum's entertainment system received standard dual 7-inch monitors for 2013.
User Reviews:
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The muscle machine - 2004 Nissan Armada
By The Impressed - March 24 - 10:00 amApproaching 1000 miles and I am a very content owner. Great prowess. A 5.6L that delivers if you want that burst of speed. The price is a thirsty engine of course. I have taken it till 80mph with a surprising ease at just under 2000 revs. The exterior has a catchy bold look. The interior has space to accomodate any body stretch and is versatile enough to provide ample cargo room if needed. The one complaint I have about the interior, both seats and pannel, is that it is a tad tacky for the price. Other than that, this machine rocks! I would not go back to Mossy Nissan Houston TX though. Throughout, it was unclear who was supposed to be my dealer and each di
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Best SUV Ive owned - 2004 Nissan Armada
By Joe - February 21 - 12:53 amWe had an expedition prior to owning this Armada. We actually went to the Toyota dealer to buy a Sequoyah and they had this used vehicle on the lot. My wife and I test drove this vehicle for about 20 minutes we only test drove the Sequoyah for two blocks. So much fun, so much space. 43" of leg room in the second row whole family loves this vehicle.
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Glad I chose the Armada - 2008 Nissan Armada
By David - February 18 - 9:13 amNeeded to tow horses. Looked at the Suburban, Expedition, etc. The Armada had more standard safety features and more convienence features than the others. Second row legroom beats any other SUV (by far), and the nav/voice system is best on the market. However two areas could be improved: 1) the suspensions "shudders" when driving over broken pavement. 2) the seats arent very supportive - although the truck has little body roll, the unsupportive seats magnify this effect. Im fortunate enough to have owned LX 470s, RRs and G500s and I still find myself driving the Armada most of the time. If you prefer a "richer" environment, consider the QX56.
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This SUV is a beast! - 2017 Nissan Armada
By Michael C - December 19 - 5:05 amAfter driving the behemoth Chevys / GMCs we almost bought the better handling Expedition except the interior was too drab. The Nissan by contrast is very well designed, comfortable, very (very) quick off the line, handles well and is very quiet. The auto AWD mode is easy to drive but once you switch to other modes, driving gets clunky fast. A couple of complaints however, one is with four children and the back seat in use we like to keep the smaller of the middle seats folded. Unfortunately there is no way to safely secure it in that position, which creates a safety hazard, as it could flip down onto the foot of a third row passenger. The middle row release mechanism is also difficult for kids to manipulate. The Nav and touchscreen interface is poorly designed and the bluetooth has trouble switching between phones of different drivers if the first phone is no longer in the car. Voice commands appear to default only to navigation which is odd. Those issues aside the performance and driving characteristics of this vehicle are second-to-none in this class. Basically youre getting the Infiniti which makes this car a great value.
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After 5000 miles - 2005 Nissan Armada
By sjo - December 9 - 5:03 pmI left a review back in Jan 05. Loved it then. Still like it, but after 3000 miiles the brakes make the front end shimmy as others have mentioned. I need to take it back to get it fixed and it is making me mad that this has happend. Milelage is about 15 mpg. Since day one the car vibrates at about 75mph. Had then balance the tires, and it comes an goes on the highway. Just want something to work right without problems for once.
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Nice SUV, Very roomy and comfortable drive - 2014 Nissan Armada
By tropo - September 8 - 9:29 amGot the truck from CarMax Nissan in MD. The truck is very comfortable to drive, and very roomy inside.
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Great SUV with bad Brakes - 2005 Nissan Armada
By luey - September 4 - 4:20 pmIve had my Armada for 8 months now. the truck is great for our three kids and two dogs. The only draw back so far has been a constant problem weve had with our brakes. Apparently the truck is too heavy for the brakes. They only last about 4000 miles before the steering wheel vibrates. With that said Our Nissan dealer has fixed the problem usually the same day I call them. It takes about 4 hours, and there is a heavy duty brake and caliper set up that will be available soon?!?
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Great SUV, shoddy build - 2004 Nissan Armada
By earlybirdjr - August 17 - 10:00 amIts got the power. Smooth ride for a truck frame. Great looks. Ive had plenty of esthetic problems. The passenger exterior mirror wasnt working, outside molding along bottom of window was dented, the gas filler door was loose, leather on steering wheel was scuffed. I believe the problems were dealer caused more than Nissan. I hope these problems dont extend into the engine/drivetrain/electrical. Overall, very satisfied with this SUV and would recommend it to a friend or relative. Just buy from a dealer other than Landers.
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Love my "Batttleship" - 2005 Nissan Armada
By Jack - August 13 - 7:06 amIm a big guy with a big family, so this is the perfect vehicle. Yes it is a thirsty beast, but I knew that going in. This is by far the most comfortable vehicle Ive owned. Family trips are great with six of us and our gear easily accommodated. Pulls my camper with ease. Handles amazingly well for its size. Moves the soccer team and school band like a champ.
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Nissan can do better - 2004 Nissan Armada
By A.H - July 25 - 8:40 amI love my Armada and so does my wife, my complaint is the front brake system, the overhead console rattles, the quality of the interior, cheap plastic and leather, NISSAN CAN DO MUCH BETTER for the asking price. Im use to top quality workmanship and materials since I also own a lexus, I realized that this is not a lexus.
