2019 Nissan Armada Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

What's new

Forward collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control are now standardPart of the second Armada generation introduced for 2017

　　The 2019 Nissan Armada competes well against other full-size SUVs in its class. Like the others, it has a strong engine that is well-suited for towing duties and enough four-wheel-drive capability to get you and your family off the beaten path with confidence.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Nissan Armada SV 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$234/mo  for Armada SV

　　Armada SV

　　SV 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) - $47,100 MSRPSV 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) - $50,100 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) - $51,900 MSRPSL 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) - $54,900 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 7A) - $60,330 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 7A) (Most Popular) - $63,330 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　We give the Armada high marks for its refined interior. The cabin is a comfortable space that benefits from elements shared with its upmarket Infiniti QX80 cousin. Points are also awarded for the Armada's generous cargo capacity and ride quality that is more agreeable than its truck-based underpinnings would suggest.

　　Unfortunately, the Armada's V8 is one of the least efficient among its SUV competitors. Additionally, the infotainment system is behind the times and the third row of seats isn't quite as spacious as some of its rivals. Those rivals include the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe and related GMC Yukon, with our vote going to the newer Ford Expedition. Overall, however, the Armada has enough positive qualities to warrant consideration.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Nissan Armada Platinum (5.6L V8 | 7-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	6.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The drive experience is a mixed bag. The V8 engine makes plenty of power and sounds fantastic, and the seven-speed transmission delivers that power smoothly and predictably. The brakes are suitably strong and bring the Armada to a smooth stop.

　　Alas, straight-line performance is all the Armada does well. The steering doesn't give you a good feel for how much you're turning; driver focus is required. The Armada leans and wallows in corners more than we'd like, too. While we don't expect a big SUV like this to be sporty, other rivals do a better job of conveying a sense of precision and handling stability.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　The Armada's main claim to fame here is the utter quietness with which it goes about its business. It's hushed inside unless you floor the throttle. At this point, you hear the V8 roar to life, but it's a strong, high-quality V8 sound that's pleasant and impressive without being overbearing. Roll off the throttle and it fades back into the background.

　　But we're not nearly as enthusiastic about the seats. They look comfortable, but the lower cushions are overly hard and flat, which isn't what you want on a long road trip. The ride quality too is disappointing. The suspension tuning is overly soft, so the Armada pitches around a lot when you maneuver. It does a poor job of smoothing out big bumps too.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The Armada isn't as big on the inside as the outside suggests. The front seats offer decent room, but the back seats feel cramped in legroom and toe room if anyone tall is up front. It's especially bad because the second row does not slide. The third row is OK but realistically best suited for kids.

　　This Nissan is a tall SUV, and the side steps, generous door openings and grab handles come in handy for stepping in. Once inside, you'll find a high driving position that may not be as customizable as you might like. The controls are familiar but in a decade-old kind of way that could stand an update. Visibility, on the other hand, is mostly excellent thanks to the Armada's large windows.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　Towing is where the Armada shines brightest thanks to a standard rear air suspension, pre-installed wiring, and a strong V8 that supports an 8,500-pound tow rating. The Armada also excels when it comes to in-cabin storage for personal items thanks to a generous glovebox, a big center console and abundant cupholders. It's easy to fit child safety seats in the second row, but the third row isn't set up nearly as well.

　　The Armada's main cargo hold prevents it from earning a higher score. The space is generous, but the load floor is high and the rear bumper gets in your way when you try to reach in to grab anything. Also, the load floor isn't completely flat because the second-row center armrest sticks up like an island when you fold the seats down.

　　

Technology

6.0

　　The Armada is in serious need of an infotainment system transplant. The screen has coarse graphics, the controls and menus are hard to comprehend, and it's hard to sort through your music library. Good luck finding a specific podcast episode, for example. Map data isn't easily upgraded either. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is absent, which would fix many of these ills.

　　The news is much better when it comes to driver assistance features. Adaptive cruise and automatic emergency braking are standard on all models. And the Platinum also comes with standard lane keeping assistance, ProPilot Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with braking intervention, a 360-degree camera, and more.

　　

Which Armada does zzdcar recommend?

　　The Nissan Armada's midrange SL trim hits a good balance of key features and price. Consider getting the optional Premium package for its advanced safety features, too.

　　

2019 Nissan Armada models

　　The 2019 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that seats eight passengers. Second-row captain's chairs are available on the SL and Platinum trims and reduce seating to seven. All Armada trims use a 5.6-liter V8 engine (390 horsepower, 394 pound-feet of torque) paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. The Armada's trim levels start at the SV, move up to the midgrade SL, and finish with the nearly fully loaded Platinum.

　　The standard SV trim starts with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, roof rails, side steps, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, a tow hitch receiver, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a reclining second-row bench split seat, and a 60/40-split third-row seat.

　　Tech features include Bluetooth, a navigation system, an 8-inch touchscreen display, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, HD radio, two USB media inputs, and two USB charge-only ports. Advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, and a new system that alerts you to check the rear seats for passengers.

　　The optional Driver package adds a power liftgate, foglights, a power-adjustable third-row seat, an auto-dimming mirror, a universal garage door opener and a trailering package.

　　The SL trim level includes the Driver package items plus 20-inch wheels, rain-sensing wipers, remote engine start, a power-adjustable steering wheel, driver-seat memory functions, leather upholstery, leather door trim, a 120-volt power outlet, and an enhanced 360-degree top-down parking camera with moving-object detection and warning.

　　The SL's optional Premium package adds a sunroof, forward and rearward emergency automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. You can also get a Captain's Seat package that replaces the second-row bench seats with two bucket seats and a center console with a padded armrest.

　　The range-topping Platinum adds the SL's Premium package along with unique 20-inch wheels, rear step lighting, a windshield wiper de-icer, speed-sensitive steering (which requires less effort at low speeds), heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a rear-seat entertainment system, an upgraded rearview mirror that can display a constant video feed from the rearview camera, and lane keeping assist with blind-spot intervention.

　　Exclusive to the Platinum trim is the Platinum Reserve package that adds special exterior trim and two-tone leather upholstery.

　　

2019 Armada Highlights

Trim: SVSLPlatinumSV

　　

Base MSRP	$47,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$234/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles