2005 Nissan Armada Trims and Specs

Few changes for the 2005 Nissan Armada SE, the full-size, 8-passenger, rear-wheel drive SUV that's much more about family comfort than off-road adventure. However, its 5.6-liter, 305-hp DOHC V8 and 5-speed auto tran can tow up to 9100 pounds, and the cargo area expands from 20 to 97 cubic feet when both second and third row seats are folded flat. 18-inch wheels carry a double wishbone front and rear suspension, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, a limited slip rear differential, brake assist, and traction and stability control. Added to the dual front and all-row side airbags are new front row active head restraints. Other safety features include backup sensors, a tire monitor, automatic headlights, skid plates, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A self-leveling suspension is available.

Aside from the usual cupholders and storage compartments, the interior of the 2005 Armada SE offers leather trim, a CD changer with wheel-mounted audio controls and rear controls, a power driver's seat with power-adjustable pedals, cruise control, intermittent front and rear wipers, heated mirrors, and a garage opener. A roof rack and cargo tie-downs are also standard, and a trailer hitch and towing package can be added. In 2005, the towing package includes a power liftgate. Other options are leather seats, a power passenger seat, DVD player, satellite radio, and a sunroof. 2005 Armada SE owners like the V8 power, styling, responsive handling, and interior passenger and cargo space. Gas mileage (14/19) and early brake problems are drawbacks.

Better handling in rough road and weather conditions distinguish the 2005 Nissan Armada SE 4WD from its rear-wheel drive sibling. It also features a limited slip and locking center differential and optional self-leveling suspension. A sturdy double wishbone suspension and front and rear stabilizer bar offer confident performance along with the class-leading 305-hp, 5.6-liter DOHC V8 and 5-speed auto tran. Skid plates, traction and stability control, a tire monitor, parking sensors, 4-wheel ABS brakes and brake assist, automatic headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and 18-inch alloy wheels are all standard, as are dual front airbags. Side impact airbags for all three rows are optional.

Plenty of legroom (41 inches!) greet you in the front and second row, along with tons of cupholders and storage compartments. Both rear rows fold flat, for 97 cubic feet of storage, and the cargo area features tie-downs. A roof rack is also standard, and a towing package is available to add a trailer hitch, tow hooks, and a new power liftgate option. A CD changer with wheel-mounted controls, power driver's seat, heated mirrors, full power setup, leather trim, intermittent front and rear wipers, cruise control, and an alarm system offer plenty of convenience. If you need more, options include a sunroof, DVD player, satellite radio, leather seats, upgraded audio, and a power passenger seat. Lots of space, lots of comfort, and lots of energetic power are unfortunately accompanied by lots of trips to the gas pump for the 2005 Armada SE 4WD.

Top of the line is the 2005 Nissan Armada LE, a rear-wheel drive SUV that was introduced last year. As with the other trims, it gets new active head restraints and metallic interior trim. A new option only for the LE is a rearview camera. This giant of an SUV seats seven passengers in three rows, with anywhere from 20-97 cubic feet of cargo space, depending on how many of the second and third rows seats are folded flat. A standard trailer hitch can tow up to 9100 pounds, thanks to a 5.6-liter, 305-hp DOHC V8 and 5-speed auto tran. The 2005 Armada LE is fully equipped with 4-wheel ABS brakes, traction and stability control, dual front and three rows of side airbags, a tire monitor, automatic headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a limited slip rear differential, skid plates, and running boards.

Adding to the SE, the LE offers heated leather seats, power front seats with driver's memory and power-adjustable pedals, and foglights. Other equipment includes cruise control, a CD changer with rear audio controls, a garage opener, intermittent front and rear wipers, leather trim, a roof rack, and second row captain's chairs. There's not much left as options, but you can add a sunroof, a DVD player, satellite radio, a navigation system, and dual-zone climate control. The 2005 Armada LE is nothing if not comfort-oriented. Drivers love the power, the spacious passenger room, the style, and easy handling, but have minor complaints about rattling and the 14/19 mpg.

A few more standard features and better off-road handling are found in the 2005 Nissan Armada SE 4WD Off-Road, a full-size SUV that comes standard with 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, performance shocks, skid plates, and a locking and limited slip center differential. Optional is a self-leveling suspension. Powered by a 32-valve, 5.6-liter, 305-hp DOHC V8 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission, the powerful family SUV can also tow up to 9100 pounds and rates 385 lb-ft of torque. Though the 14/19 mpg is nothing to write home about, the standard 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, dual front and side impact airbags for all three rows, automatic headlights, and auto-dimming rearview mirror add plenty of safety. The SE Off-Road also has standard backup sensors.

Inside, the 2005 SE 4WD Off-Road is much like the standard SE 4WD, but it adds power-adjustable pedals, leather upholstery, and a power passenger seats to the already existent power driver's seat. Intermittent front and rear wipers, a CD changer with wheel-mounted and rear audio controls, a security system, and cruise control are part of the overall equipment. For the family, a DVD player, satellite radio, and sunroof can be added, and for serious haulers, a trailer hitch and towing package are available, which adds a new power liftgate. A roof rack is standard. Inadequate brakes and low fuel economy are the biggest complaints from owners, but the awesome power and handling, interior roominess, and cargo space seem to outweigh those downsides.

With a four-wheel drive system adaptable to both dry and wet roads, the 2005 Nissan Armada LE 4WD is a great companion to the 5.6-liter, 305-hp DOHC V8 and 5-speed auto tran powertrain. Throw in a locking and limited slip differential, skid plates, 18-inch wheels, traction and stability control, a double wishbone suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, 4-wheel ABS, and brake assist, and the ride feels confident and safe. Other safety features include dual front and all-row side impact airbags, a tire monitor, parking sensors, foglights, automatic headlights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. This year, front row active head restraints are added.

Front and second row captain's chairs (a bench seat can be substituted) offer comfort and 41 inches of legroom. The third row bench folds flat, for up to 97 cubic feet of cargo space. A roof rack and trailer hitch are standard, for more flexibility. Heated power front seats, heated mirrors, leather upholstery and trim, power-adjustable pedals, memory settings, wheel-mounted and rear audio controls for the CD changer, a garage opener, security system, and intermittent front and rear wipers are all standard. A power liftgate is also standard and opens separately from the rear window. A navigation system and dual-zone climate control are LE-only options, and a sunroof, DVD player, and satellite radio are also available. A long list of features, great acceleration and towing power, style, and spaciousness are major highlights for owners of the 2005 Armada LE 4WD. Brake shudder and low fuel economy are the biggest problems.