It can be easy to overlook the Nissan Armada, especially if you’re shopping for a full-size SUV from Chevrolet, Ford or GMC. Like the Toyota Sequoia, the Nissan Armada is another choice that’s worth your consideration.
The Armada and its competitors are truck-based utility vehicles, which means that payload and towing are among its strong suits. Here are the important facts about the 2020 Nissan Armada:
1. Powerful Engine
Motivating this big Nissan is a 5.6-liter V8 engine. This “Endurance” powerplant makes 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. It also powers the Nissan Titan pickup truck.
A 7-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels or all four wheels with models equipped with four-wheel drive.
2. Noteworthy Payload and Towing
Big SUVs are prizes for both their superior payload and towing capacities. Regarding payload, this model is rated up to 1,743 pounds. As for towing, it has a pull rating of up to 8,500 pounds, which easily bests the Sequoia’s 7,400-pound limit.
3. As thirsty As They Come
If there is a downside to the 2020 Armada, then that would be its fuel economy. This SUV makes 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway for a combined 15 mpg. Choose the two-wheel drive and your numbers are 1 mpg better.
A similarly equipped Chevrolet Tahoe earns 17 mpg, therefore the differences are small. For that matter, all models in this segment average around 15-16 mpg.
4. Full-Size Interior
If you need a big interior, the Armada shines. This SUV seats seven or eight, with ample room in the first two rows. However, if you need more legroom in the third row, the Nissan Pathfinder offers slightly more space.
5. Not Quite Luxury, But Almost
Credit Nissan with dressing the Armada to compete. Only the base SV trim has cloth seats as every other Armada has leather-wrapped seats. Lots of soft-touch materials, imitation wood, and chrome accents abound, which give this SUV a cut-above look.
In Platinum trim, the Armada includes cushiony leather inserts on the doors. Opt for the second-row captain’s chairs as they’re almost as comfortable as the front seats. They also come heated with the Platinum trim.
6. Generous Tech Features
Nissan equips the 2020 Armada with an 8-inch touch-screen display, navigation, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. That’s an impressive package for a mainstream SUV. Nissan includes satellite radio, HD Radio, Bluetooth, and four USB ports. You’ll even find a CD player!
Make your way up the trim range and you’ll find an additional USB port and a three-zone entertainment system with dual 8-inch monitors to keep your second- and third-row passengers entertained.
7. Safety Features Galore
Manufacturers understand that consumers want advanced safety tech. Nissan responds by including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.
Lane intervention, blind-spot warning and intervention, and lane departure warning are also included. Automatic emergency braking is available.
Nissan Armada Parting Thoughts
Nissan offers the 2020 Armada in SV, SL, Platinum and Platinum Reserve trims. It is a well-equipped vehicle for the money. Even the base trim offers a decent starting point which means that a four-wheel-drive Armada can be had for about $50,000.
Compare this model to the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and the GMC Yukon.
2020 Nissan Armada Specifications
| Nissan | 2020 Armada |
|---|---|
| Segment | Large SUV |
| Price Range | From $$47,100 to $68,030 |
| Destination Charge | $1,395 |
| Standard Engine | 5.6-liter, V8 |
| Horsepower | 390 hp @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque (lb.-ft.) | 394 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Seating | 7 or 8 |
| Curb Weight (pounds) | 5,577 to 5,958 |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 121.1 |
| Length (inches) | 208.9 |
| Width (inches) | 79.9 |
| Height (inches) | 75.8 |
| Headroom (f,r…inches) | 40.9, 40.0, 36.4 |
| Legroom (f,r…inches) | 41.9, 41.0, 28.4 |
| Shoulder room (f,r…inches) | 63.8, 63.4, 60.5 |
| Hip room (f,r…inches) | 59.2, 58.4, 48.8 |
| Storage (cubic feet) | 16.5, 49.9, 95.4 |
| Gross vehicle weight (pounds) | 7,300 to 7,500 |
| Towing (pounds) | 8,500 |
| Payload (pounds) | 1,542 to 1,723 |
| Fuel | regular |
| Fuel Tank (gallons) | 26.0 |
| EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) | 14/19/16 (2WD); 13/18/15 (4WD) |
| Manufacturing Plant | Kyushu, Japan |
Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.
See Also – Nissan Armada Reprise, Platinum Style
Photos copyright Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources including NAPA, CarsDirect, CapitalOne, and Driven Autos.
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