2021 NISSAN ARMADA TEST DRIVE

2021 NISSAN ARMADA TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES

It seems like every day another automotive company lays out its timeline to ultimately become a fully-electric vehicle manufacturer.  For instance, Nissan announced earlier this year that all of their models will be “electrified” in about 10 years – note that’s different than fully electric but still. They’ve set goal.  And Nissan’s march towards carbon neutrality provides an interesting juxtaposition with their present – a significantly updated, body-on-frame, 3-ton SUV that prefers premium gas and nets 15mpg. 

Meet the new 2021 Armada.

 

 

 

 

In 2017, the Armada moved off of the Titan pickup truck platform and flew to Japan to be built alongside the Infiniti QX80 making this generation Armada very similar to its luxury division cousin.  And now at the midpoint of its expected lifecycle the Armada gets a makeover to keep it on the radar screens of large SUV buyers; think Toyota Sequoia, Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition.

 

 

Its appearance has been modernized with harder edges, new LED lighting, and the recently redesigned Nissan badge.  Riding atop 22” wheels and garnished in this Platinum trim, the Armada has big presence and if you don’t care for the chrome a new Midnight Edition Package is available on the lesser SL grade. 

 

 

I really like what Nissan has done with the updated styling and the new badges and Armada lettering look great.  And I watch enough Kids Baking Championship to actually understand this beautiful color’s name: Coulis Red Pear. 

 

 

But it’s really up here where its newness makes the greatest impression.  This big touchscreen with its crisper graphics, wireless phone projection and over the air updates immediately adds some much needed modernity. 

 

 

 

Likewise, the driver display has been updated and this rear view camera mirror is best I’ve ever seen – so big and crystal clear.  

 

 

 

There’s also a redesigned center console that can be opened from the front or the rear – pretty clever – and the remote controlled Family Entertainment System has been updated with today’s connectivity options and a USB fast charge feature but it’s still not a touchscreen and no longer accepts DVD media.

 

 

In general the interior feels and looks more premium with the center stack adorned in black wood grain, high quality touchpoints, raised stitching and this new touchscreen. 

 

 

 

It’s worked by using this knob and switches down here, voice commands that perform decently, or simply touching it and it’s close enough to the driver where that’s comfortably possible. 

 

 

 

It’s not a juggernaut when it comes to features but there is some neat stuff in here, the 13 speaker Bose audio system punches above its weight, and the around view monitor DOES have an external button so I like that. In front of the driver is a higher res, full color display with a number of menus to choose from though this seat belt warning erroneously keeps coming up every time I start it.  Odd. 

 

Unfortunately, there is no head-up display but this rear view camera mirror is great.  And, a lot of new cars alert you to when you’ve left your phone on the wireless charger upon exit and because it’s hidden hear behind this door Nissan should do that, as well.

 

 

As far as the drive is concerned the Armada is holding up very well. It’s stout, refined and quiet – all traits you’d expect in a luxury SUV. It doesn’t feel trucky at all – the ride is smooth and the handling is more than competent despite the big weight it’s managing – all without any trick suspensions or drive modes which is both impressive and outdated at the same time.

 

 

The transmission can get a tad lazy so a sport mode would be nice. All told I think Nissan has done enough here to keep the Armada relevant until its next big redesign. 

 

 

 

400 horses is more standard horsepower than offered by its aforementioned rivals and the 5.6-liter V8 and its 413 pound-feet of torque still feel phat.  The double wishbone front and rear suspension with Hitachi shocks does an excellent job of keeping the Armada’s ride supple and the handling tight and the 4-wheel drive system is simple with auto, 4-high and 4-low settings adjusted with this big dial, mostly operating though in 2-wheel drive and then sending up to 50% of the power to the front wheels when necessary.  Ground clearance over 9” is legit. 

Without an engine start/stop system the 7-speed auto has been programmed to eek out a little more fuel economy so you sometimes find yourself pressing the gas pedal to find a kick down gear but this SUV is quick…though certainly not efficient.  13city/18 highway is slightly better than the worst gas guzzler of all – the Toyota Sequoia – but the fact that it needs premium gas for optimal performance gives the Armada the highest annual fuel cost of $3,500. 

 

Over 5 years you’ll spend $9,500 more on gas as compared with the average new vehicle.  Yikes.  But if you tow, the Armada now adds a Trailer Brake Controller and Trailer Sway Control for more confidence and safety while still able to handle 8,500 pounds.  

 

 

My tester with the optional Captain’s Chairs Package takes seating from 8 to 7, and though they don’t slide they do recline and the massive center console offers big storage. 

 

 

 

There are also heated seats and separate climate controls.  And the tumbling action makes it easy to get into the 3^rd row which features power recline seats and decent space though with the high floor your knees are up around your throat. 

 

 

But kids will be more than fine though the absence of a panoramic roof is glaring.  My biggest beef with these seats though is how maddeningly slow they are to power fold.  

 

 

 

From a safety tech standpoint, there are auto high beams, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control though without steering assist.  And the background players used to avoid accidents are all here too.  

 

 

 

MSRP as-tested is $71,250 and that doesn’t get you LED interior lighting or a hands-free liftgate; the latter unavailable at any price.  

 

 

 

There aren’t many left like the Armada and I’ve truly enjoyed my week with it.  If you can live without some of the newness and unavailable features and aren’t scared off by the gas mileage it’ll save you thousands when compared to a comparable Chevy Tahoe.  

 

   

 

2021 NISSAN ARMADA TEST DRIVE BY CAR CRITIC STEVE HAMMES  |  TESTDRIVENOW 2021(c)