2022 Nissan Armada Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Nissan Armada was born the Pathfinder Armada for the 2004 model year. Closely related to the Nissan Titan full-size pickup truck and the Nissan Patrol SUV sold internationally, the Armada shared a production facility with the Titan in Canton, Mississippi. The Armada shed the Pathfinder part of its name after its first year on the market, while production moved to Japan with the second-generation Armada for the 2017 model year (with engines made Decherd, Tennessee). Still in production, this generation of Armada is a cousin to the Infiniti QX80 luxury SUV.

No two ways around it—the Armada is big and looks it. It is 208.9 inches long, 75.8 inches tall, and 79.9 inches wide. Depending on trim, the minimum ground clearance is 9.1-9.2 inches, and the step-in height is 22.3- 22.8 inches—nearly two feet. Height-challenged passengers will need to use the standard side-step rails for safe entry and exit.

Big is beautiful, though, at least in the case of the Armada. The exterior has sculptural details, with standard LED lighting all around and a tasteful amount of chrome, including sharp-looking vents on the front fenders. The Armada's tailgate boasts a large expanse of convex glass (fixed, not opening) and big taillamps. Available in seven colors, the Armada is beautifully finished, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome worthy of a luxury car. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on the S and SV models; 20-inch on the SL trim; and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels on the Platinum. The 22s look just right on this large SUV, filling the wheel arches and adding sparkle.

Each Armada comes with a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 engine, a mildly updated version of the same engine Nissan has been fitting into the Armada (and the Titan) since day one. This beefy engine puts out 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque—a very healthy output. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, and four-wheel drive (4WD) is available, both using a seven-speed automatic transmission.

RWD models earn an EPA rating of 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined, and 4WD versions knock one mpg off that at 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined. Be cautious about dismissing the Armada based on these numbers, though. This big SUV weighs between 5,650 and 6,034 pounds, depending on configuration, and it can carry up to eight passengers and tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Nissan doesn't publish 0-60-mph times for the Armada. Still, a seat-of-the-pants measurement reveals no difficulty in lurching ahead of traffic from a stoplight or merging like a locomotive onto the freeway. The standard 13.8-inch vented disc brakes front and rear with hydraulic brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, and a four-wheel/four-channel/four-sensor anti-lock system do a fine job of hauling the SUV down from speed. An anachronistic foot-pedal parking brake is a mechanical reminder that the Armada is a bit of a throwback.

Thankfully, the Armada's four-wheel independent suspension (double wishbone front and rear with stabilizer bars and twin-tube Hitachi shock absorbers) is up-to-the-minute and delivers a supple, controlled ride. Our test vehicle was a 4WD Platinum model, so we got to experience the 22-inch wheels—not always the most compliant setup due to short sidewall height. Even on the always rutted roads of southeastern Michigan, the Armada was a pleasant cruiser, eating up the potholes, bumps, and ridges of our local pavement. We didn't go beyond gravel and dirt roads during our week with the Armada, though the tall ground clearance, standard radiator skid plate, and ample torque made off-roading tempting.

Did we mention the Armada is big? Its size supports its purpose: to transport seven to eight people in comfort and style. The first row consists of two comfortable bucket seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way power adjustment for the front-seat passenger. Both positions come with power lumbar adjustment, too. The second row is either a fold flat 60/40-split bench seat or an available pair of captain's chairs. SL and Platinum trim buyers can add a removable center console between the captain's chairs. The third-row 60/40 split bench seat is roomy enough for three across and can be equipped with power folding and reclining functions.

Base S models come with cloth seats. SV models get an upgraded cloth called "Prima-Tex," said to be more durable and stain-resistant than the base cloth. The leather-trimmed seats in the SL models are pretty nice, but the quilted leather appointments in the Platinum are the stuff of luxury and present a solid incentive to climb to the top of the trim ladder.

A one-touch fold and flip second row helps make it easy to get into the rear seats, even for full-size adults. The Armada also has nine cupholders and four bottle holders throughout the cabin and storage cubbies for nearly every seating position.

Beyond carrying passengers, the Armada's size makes it a prodigious tool for transporting stuff. It can carry up to 16.5 cubic feet of luggage behind the third-row seats. Fold the third row flat, and you've opened up 49.9 cubic feet of space. Flop the second row down, and the Armada can now swallow up to 95.4 cubic feet of junk. Imagine the possibilities. Do you need to move an armoire or a kitchen table? How about clearing out those boxes of stuffed animals you've been saving in the garage? With the Armada, you can probably take care of it at once, as long as you keep the payload (cargo plus passenger weight) below about 1,500 pounds. A power liftgate is standard on SL and Platinum models, optional on the Armada S. This convenience feature might be necessary for buyers under 5-foot 6-inches or so, as the reach for the open tailgate is quite tall.

The Armada gets standard NissanConnect technology, which uses a 12.3-inch color touchscreen as an interface at the top of the center stack, mounted in horizontal (landscape) orientation. This wide-screen format allows Nissan to engage a split-screen option the operator can customize. For instance, one driver might choose to have the left two-thirds display a map and the right third to display audio programming info. Another driver might choose weather alerts and calendar reminders. The screen is big enough to be practical, but not so big it distracts from the road.

The list of standard tech features on the Armada is impressive, including a Wi-Fi hot spot, a wireless device charging pad (on all but S models), NissanConnect telematics services with a five-year complimentary trial to Select and Plus levels and six months of Premium services, navigation, hands-free text messaging, a rear-view monitor, satellite radio capability (subscription required), and standard proximity key with push-button start.

The audio system for the base S trim level includes AM/FM/Aux and four speakers; the SV adds two speakers. Bose-branded audio booms in the SL and Platinum models, with AM/FM/satellite/MP3 and 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. Unfortunately, there's no factory audio upgrade for S and SV models, so buyers must work with dealer and aftermarket options to get great tunes.

Thankfully, all models come with two USB-A and two USB-C ports, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, and redundant steering wheel audio controls (a much-overlooked safety feature). Platinum models come with a "Family Entertainment System," comprised of dual 8-inch headrest monitors, two pairs of wireless headphones, and HDMI input—so it's a bring-your-own-player setup, which is reasonably future-proofed for tech-savvy families.

Driving a three-ton SUV like the 2022 Nissan Armada carries massive responsibility. Not only are you in charge of your passengers (presumably your family and friends), but you are also aiming 6,000 pounds in the general direction of defenseless pedestrians, cyclists, and other potential targets. In a collision with another vehicle, you're likely to be in control of more mass. Nissan responds to the safety requirements by including a healthy list of standard passive and active safety and driver-assistance features.

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 takes the headlines with high beam assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear automatic braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Other active safety systems include adaptive cruise control with full speed range, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, and rear-door alert. An available intelligent rear-view mirror can supplement the standard reflective mirror with the view from a high-resolution camera on an LCD monitor built into the mirror housing. This feature can be essential when traveling with a full load of passengers and/or cargo since the view rearward from the conventional mirror can be blocked by heads or boxes.

The Armada has dual-stage front supplemental airbags, front-seat-mounted side impact airbags, and roof-mounted curtain airbags protecting all three rows of seating.

A trailer brake controller is standard on SV, SL, and Platinum models, while trailer sway control is standard on the Armada SL and Platinum. If you plan to use your Armada to tow, we recommend choosing an SL or Platinum model to get this essential feature.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have not released safety ratings for the 2022 Nissan Armada.

The 2022 Nissan Armada starts at $49,900 for the base S trim level. The Armada SV starts at $54,070, while the SL and Platinum start at $57,760 and $66,200, respectively. Add $3,000 to upgrade any model from RWD to 4WD. Buyers can also add several factory-installed options, including special Pearl White paint ($395), the SV Appearance package ($2,500), the Midnight Edition package ($1,990), and captain's chairs package ($650). Additional port-installed and dealer-installed options are available, and a $1,695 destination and handling fee applies to every purchase.

Our test SUV was a 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD with an as-tested price of $71,275. Pricing in 2022 is volatile, so don't be surprised if the Armada at your dealership carries a higher manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) than quoted here. Nissan has already imposed at least one modest price hike during this model year.

The full-size three-row SUV field is not as vast as it once was, but still includes some imposing competition. Measure the Armada against the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer. Buyers who don't need a vehicle as robust as the Armada can also consider a three-row crossover SUV like the Kia Telluride or Hyundai Palisade. Buyers who love the Armada's capability but want more luxury can slide into the related Infiniti QX80.

Big gasoline-powered full-size SUVs like the 2022 Nissan Armada will soon sail over the horizon into the seas of automotive history, but that doesn't mean they don't serve a vital purpose for some buyers right now. The Armada can be a good solution if you have a big family and need a robust yet refined vehicle to transport them all in comfort together.