The 2020 Nissan Armada is a full-size, three-row, body-on-frame SUV. Now in its second generation, which debuted for the 2017 model year, this big SUV boasts a lot of space and comfort, and feels quite luxurious despite a starting price almost $20,000 less than the Infiniti QX80, with which it shares its underpinnings. There’s only one engine option, an adequately potent but thirsty 5.6-liter V8, and it is offered in rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive.
Despite a slightly lower starting price than the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, the Nissan Armada offers a number of active safety features that the rest don’t and boasts best-in-class standard horsepower and towing (though you can’t opt for any more than what’s in the base configuration).
What’s new for 2020?
Little has changed for the 2020 model year. All trim levels now have standard heated side mirrors. Additionally, there is now an optional 22-inch wheel package ($2,250) for the Platinum trim level, which adds the 22-inch, 14-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels and 275/50R22 all-season tires that come standard on the Platinum Reserve.
What’s the Armada’s interior and in-car technology like?
The Armada’s looks and feels a lot like that of the Infinti QX80, with plenty of wood and soft leather. The seating position is high and upright, and combined with big windows, you get a commanding view of the road. The seats are wide, flat and soft — comfortable, but not particularly supportive, which is something you should consider on a test drive to make sure it feels right to you.
How big is the Armada?
If you’re considering buying an Armada, you should be the type of customer that often needs a lot of cargo space, a lot of seating, or both. Thankfully, the Armada does both well.
The interior of the Armada, as its oversized exterior would indicate, is quite spacious. We were able to move a 60-inch television despite having a child in a car seat taking up a seat in the second row. The high load floor is a bit of a pain when loading in bags of groceries, but it’s lower than the Tahoe/Yukon’s and is helpful when unloading something large like the aforementioned TV. The power-folding third row helps, too. First- and second-row seating is comfortable even for larger passengers, but the third row should be reserved for children or adults with a smaller frame.
What are Armada’s safety equipment and crash ratings?
In addition to the standard airbags, anti-lock brakes and stability and traction control, all Armadas come standard with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, backup camera, parking sensors and hill start assist. Also available are lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning with intervention and rear emergency braking.