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:

• 

  great buy - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By jerry - November 3 - 3:23 am

  So far its been a super buy,no problems what so ever. The horsepower is awsome, lots of get up and go when you need it.The interior space is more than enough and lends to a very smooth and comfortable ride. Gas mileage is great for such a large suv, 300-400 miles per tank. We have driven 5000 miles so far and everything remains tight. Its a great buy

• 

  2004 Armada - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By hhlewis - October 28 - 2:00 am

  The new armada will be a front runner in the full size SUV market. With the most horse power in its class.And the interior room. Its also a good value for the money.

• 

  Overall, a very nice SUV - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Steamthief - October 19 - 9:56 pm

  I was hesitant to buy a 2004 due to problems mentioned on edmunds, and Im glad I waited. The 2005 is indeed a very nice truck. Gobs of power; merging onto the freeway is a breeze. Interior cabin is very quiet, surprisingly so at freeway speeds. Lots of interior room; front seats (leather) are firm and supportive, middle bench has lots of legroom, and the kids prefer sitting in the third row, so I assume its pretty comfy back there as well! Bose stereo sounds great. One concern is the underpowered brakes; steering wheel started shuddering after about 3k miles, mostly city driving. Dealer serviced brakes at no charge, all is well again. Overall, I love this truck & have NO regrets.

• 

  Lovin It - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By Rob G - October 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought the Armada in Sept 2004, then sent wife and kids to Phoenix the first week. Almost 20 mpg on the highway! No problems so far, love the exhaust not and the power. Great space for our growing family. My only complaint is that my wife gets to drive it all the time and I dont! I love the fact that it comes standard with so many airbags.

• 

  Powerful - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By RCall - October 5 - 10:00 am

  This is an SUV that drives like a muscle car. It has a lot of zip! I love the styling. It shows a lot of attitude! I have had some issues with minor things, such as the electric seats and electrical gauges not working. The mileage was not as good as I expected. I am only getting about 12 MPG around town. I have not had a chance to try it out on a good road trip for highway MPG yet. We love the roominess in the seating, the second row has especially good head & legroom. The third seat we dont use much, I would not recommend it for long trips for large people due to the lack of headroom that comes from the theater- style seating. Lots of space comes with folding down the rear seat.

• 

  We love our Armada. - 2017 Nissan Armada
  By JRA - September 20 - 7:27 pm

  If your reading this review, your likely considering the 2017 Armada. Ive long been impressed with the looks and performance of the QX56/80 and when Nissan first released the very similar redesigned Armada, I immediately wanted one. After reading the "expert" reviews, I decided to pull the trigger and purchase a 2017 Black on Black Platinum 4WD. My new Armada is absolutely beautiful and is the envy of our friends. I found it a little odd that I was filling up so freequently but have gotten used to the fact that this beast is just a gas hog. As it stands, we are only getting about 220-260 miles per tank. The freequency of fill ups is excessive and inconvenient. When driving the vehicle, the ride is nice and pleasant. The steering is a little sloppy and steering wheel feedback is lacking. The wheel turns too easily and doesnt return to the neutral position with enough force. A couple additional items to note, the USB port in the front center console charges at a Very slow rate. Its so slow that it barely keeps your phone from discharging while plugged in. Interior lighting is adequate however, its very surprising to find that LED bulbs are nowhere to be found. The Bose sound system is also very underwhelming. There are very limited adjustments available which include basic Bass, Trebble, fader and balance only. Overall, we are very pleased with the 2nd Gen Armada and proud to arrive in style. **I highly recommend getting the available software update. This has helped with acceleration and shifting issues.

• 

  I love it - 2006 Nissan Armada
  By Gala - September 19 - 9:43 pm

  The more i drive it more i love it. Of course to fill it up is around 65$ But i have big family. Two toddlers are in carseats really far from each other. This is exactly what i was looking for.In this car i fell safe and what is most important is that i feel my kids are safe. And its real fun to go to Home Depot with this car . You can load what ever you whant in it .(And it will feet) I can load my family and my sister family and a dog and every buckled and safe

• 

  Great family vehicle - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By srcole - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Our young family of four is really enjoying this vehicle. The DVD entertainment center is great for long trips. It has a lot of power - Im someone that loves to accelerate, and the Armada has good, very smooth, acceleration for its size. It handles very well on slick roads. The interior is unbelievable - storage is everywhere! And the second row seats have a LOT of room! It is easy to fold down the third row, and the fact it has shoulder belts in all 8 seating positions gives us a lot of flexibility in where the kids ride particularly when my wife travels with friends.

• 

  And the winner is ....the Nissan Armada! - 2004 Nissan Armada
  By shadowman - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This is one great vehicle with great value for your money. My friend came along just for the ride and now he is buying one too. Nissan really did its homework on this SUV and although the compitition might match it in any one or two catagories, the Armada beats them all as an overall package.

• 

  Bigger & Better - 2005 Nissan Armada
  By Jim Stark - September 8 - 8:06 am

  After driving a very reliable 2001 Ford Expedition for 89,000 miles it was hard to make the change but then I drove a Nissan Armada. It handled so much better and had so much more power it was fun to drive. It looks bigger but handles like a smaller SUV. It gets better gas mileage and is no harder to park than the Expedition. Hopefully its resale value will also exceed my expectations.