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Nissan Armada

EPA MPG: 14 mpg
Average Retail Price
$7,600 - $9,900

RECALL ALERT:
There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Road Test

The full-sized Armada SUV is roomy enough for eight passengers. It also offers a refined powertrain with plenty of power for quick acceleration and generous trailer towing capability. Still, there's no escaping the fact it is a large and heavy SUV. Furthermore, it hasn't had a redesign since its 2004 introduction and is showing its age, despite updates that have made its ride quality more civilized and quieted the cabin. Handling is clumsy and 13 mpg overall is dismal, even by the standards of large SUVs. Additionally, the rear door handles are mounted high, making them difficult for children to reach and third-row legroom is surprisingly tight.

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2013 SUVs Reliability

No Data Available

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

Nissan vs. Other New Car Brands

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap
NA
IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver
NA
IIHS Side Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash
NA
NHTSA Overall Side-Crash
NA

2013 Large SUVs Ratings

$7,750 - $10,100
economy-icon
EPA MPG 14 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$9,850 - $17,375
economy-icon
EPA MPG 17 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$8,250 - $12,775
economy-icon
EPA MPG 17 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$6,400 - $7,950
economy-icon
EPA MPG 19 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
$8,025 - $9,975
economy-icon
EPA MPG 18 mpg
Road test
Reliability
Owner Satisfaction
Features & Specs
Body Style
    4-door SUV
Seating
2 front, 3 rear, 3 third
Drive Wheels
4WD, Rear
Engines Available
  • 5.6-liter V8 (317 hp)
Transmissions Available
  • 5-speed automatic
Warranty
Coverage varies among versions of this vehicle

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties
Model History
2025-
Current Generation

For 2025, the redesigned Nissan Armada trades its thirsty V8 engine for a more efficient and powerful 425-hp twin-turbocharged V6 and gains an off-road-focused PRO-4X trim. It retains its 8,500-pound towing capacity but adds cargo room behind the second and third rows. Buyers can choose between rear- and four-wheel drive and seating for seven or eight. It shares its underlying design with the more luxurious Infiniti QX80. Nissan says the new Armada has a better ride and handling performance than its predecessor thanks to a stiffer frame and electric power steering. A wide touchscreen display and digital gauge cluster dominate the dashboard, while physical controls remain for climate control.

2017-2024
2017 Redesign Year

This less expensive version of the Infiniti QX80 is powered by a slick and powerful 390-hp, 5.6-liter V8. We got a paltry 14 mpg overall, however. Though the soft suspension absorbs bumps well, the body jostles frequently. Handling is clumsy, with slow steering and pronounced body roll, but it's ultimately secure. Inside, the spacious cabin has a premium feel, particularly in Platinum trim. Controls are a bit dated, and it's a long reach to some buttons and knobs. Seven- or eight-passenger seating configurations are available, and the third row can power fold and unfold. Available in rear-wheel or full-time four-wheel drive, the Armada can tow a generous 8,500 pounds. Updates for the 2019 model included standard forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Armada received a freshening for 2021, the engine now has 400 hp. Standard safety features include Nissan's Shield 360. This suite includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Also, dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on all trims. Updates for 2022 include one-touch folding third-row function for power seat-equipped models.

2004-2016
2004 Redesign Year
Based on the Titan pickup, the full-size Nissan Armada SUV debuted in 2004, with seating for up to eight. Unlike the Titan, it features an independent rear suspension, which improves the ride considerably. Power comes from a smooth-revving, but noisy 5.6-liter, 305-hp V8 with a slick five-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain makes the Armada quick, but it returns just 13 mpg overall. Handling is relatively responsive, but the ride is quite stiff and interior quality is unimpressive. Children may have trouble reaching the high-mounted rear door handles. There's lots of rear cargo space and with its available tow package, towing capacity is generous. While competitive in its early years, this long-running design grew outdated over time, falling behind on refinement and finesse.