7-SPEED TRANSMISSION

7 Facts About the 2020 Nissan Armada

November 12, 2019 by admin 3 Comments

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.

The 2020 Armada offers a traditional look with an upscale vibe.

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

Photo copyright Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

The Luxurious and Capable
2019 Infiniti QX80

November 1, 2018 by admin 2 Comments

Infiniti’s largest model combines power with luxury.

The QX80 is the largest of four Infiniti utility vehicles.

Large, luxury sport utility vehicles are the ultimate expression of a brand’s strength and visibility, as these models utilize much sheetmetal and girth to convey a powerful image. The QX80 offers a clear demonstration of Infiniti prowess, while also surrounding passengers with comfort and opulence.

The 2019 Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV with room for seven or eight. This model comes with a V8 engine matched with an automatic transmission. Customers have a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. This model is available in Luxe and Limited trims.

New for 2019 is a Limited trim with standard four-wheel drive and special colors. Now standard this year are forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and emergency braking.

Exterior Features: Infiniti QX80

Copious amounts of sheetmetal is not the lone marker of a big SUV. It is what the manufacturer does with that canvas to make it stand out.

The 2019 QX80 features a bold front fascia marked by an oversized mesh grille. A wide lower grille opening, sleek headlamps with LED accent lighting, and a massive hood complete this SUV’s frontal expression.

2019 Infiniti QX80

Along the sides, the QX80’s size becomes more apparent with its long roofline and high beltline. Defining characteristics include pronounced wheel wells, vent ports, and an ample greenhouse. From the rear, this SUV has narrow wraparound tail lamps with LED accent lighting. Infiniti connects the lights with metallic trim. Metal trim also graces the top of the bumper at the liftgate.

Standard features include automatic headlights with high beam assist, LED fog lights, 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, power heated and folding side mirrors, running boards, a roof rack, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Limited edition adds such features as under running board welcome lighting, stainless steel touches, and an adaptive front lighting system.

Interior Features: Infiniti QX80

How do you like your cabin? That’s a question Infiniti’s designers sought to answer by dressing this SUV in lavish leather with very comfortable seats up front and near equally comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row. Even the third-row bench seat is plush and supportive.

Optionally, Infiniti supplies 8-passenger seating by replacing the middle-row seats with a bench seat. But that makes for a less comfortable seating area and also restricts third-row legroom. If there is a downside to this Infiniti’s cabin, it would be the standard cargo space. Measuring just 16.6 cubic feet, you’ll need to stack most items or fold part or all of the rear seat as needed.

2019 Infiniti QX80

Infiniti utilizes a fairly traditional cabin layout with a layered dashboard, analog instrument panel dials, and an upright center stack. That stack has its share of switches and dials for controlling climate, audio and navigation functions. The quilted center console cover is one of several refined points in the cabin.

Standard equipment includes full power accessories, power front seats with lumbar support, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, and a power third-row seat. Upgrades include illuminated kick plates, cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, and semi-aniline leather.

Safety and Technology Highlights

Luxury vehicle shoppers expect a long list of technologies and the 2019 QX80 does not disappoint. Beyond the power tilt-and-telescopic steering column, this model has a 13-speaker Bose audio system, Bluetooth, four USB ports, auxiliary audio input, and navigation. My top-trim Limited model came with a 15-speaker Bose audio system and a Theater Package with a pair of 8-inch color monitors, wireless headphones, input jacks, and a 120-volt outlet.

2019 Infiniti QX80

Beyond the standard rearview camera, forward collision warning, and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, Infiniti offers other features. These include intelligent (adaptive) cruise control, distance control assist, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, and backup collision intervention.

Crash test scores are either incomplete or unavailable. That said, the Infiniti QX80’s large size works to its benefit. And when equipped with a full suite of driver-assist features, it raises the safety quotient accordingly.

On the Road With the 2019 Infiniti QX80

Start the ignition and the Infiniti Q80 comes to life in a big way. In a significant, loud way that is.

The QX80’s V8 engine makes its presence known, emitting a noisy and sustained whoosh once it starts. That cacophony may seem counterintuitive to how a luxury model should sound, but make no mistake about it: this Infiniti has the performance to sustain its size.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Once you shift into gear and move forward, the engine sound eases to a sustained hum. At work is 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, an ideal amount of performance for this big SUV. Infiniti matches this engine with a 7-speed automatic transmission that fires off gears quickly and without drama.

My test Limited model with standard all-wheel drive, supplied a very comfortable and smooth ride. Under hard acceleration, the V8 responded with copious amounts of power and the attendant whoosh, moving this near three-ton utility vehicle with ease.

Steering is light to the touch and this Infiniti supplies ease of handling. It feels much lighter on its “feet” than its size would suggest, something that should ease the minds of shoppers who might think this SUV would behave otherwise.

If you want to take this SUV off-road, you can. You have the usual 4-Hi and 4-Lo settings and various modes to play with, including snow. It is doubtful you’ll do much off-roading with it anyway, but rest assured that with its standard kickplates, you can.

2019 Infiniti QX80

Fuel economy is not one of the QX80’s strengths as this model makes 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway (1 mpg less than the two-wheel-drive model). But that’s roughly in line with competing models.

If you tow, the QX80’s 8,500-pound trailering capacity shouldn’t be overlooked. It edges the Cadillac Escalade with 8,100 to 8,300 pounds available and finishes just ahead of the Lincoln Navigator’s maximum 8,300-pound capacity. It also comes with an automatic leveling rear suspension and a tow/haul mode.

Parting Thoughts: Infiniti QX80

The QX80 does everything it needs to do to keep Infiniti shoppers in the brand fold. It is one of four utility vehicles offered by Infiniti, although if you need room for seven, the QX60 crossover should also be explored. The QX60 offers larger standard cargo space too, but then it can’t approach the QX80’s lofty towing capacity.

As for model choices, the standard Luxe model is a very good place to start. It costs $65,100 ($68,200 with all-wheel drive). The Limited with standard four-wheel drive ($89,800) adds every conceivable option and supplies exterior and interior embellishments not found with the base model.

2019 Infiniti QX80

2019 Infiniti QX80 Specifications

Sticker price from $66,395 (including $1,295 destination)
Price as tested: $91,500
Seats 7 or 8 passengers
5.6-liter 32-valve V-8 gasoline engine
400 horsepower @ 5,800 RPM
413 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,000 RPM
3.86 inches bore by 3.62 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 10.8-to-1
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 121.1 inches
Length: 210.2 inches
Width: 79.9 inches
Height: 75.8 inches
Passenger volume: 167.9
Storage volume: 16.6 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 8,500 pounds
EPA: 14/20 mpg city/highway (2WD) 13/19 (4WD)
Premium grade gasoline recommended
Fuel tank: 26 gallons
Curb weight: 5,679 pounds (2WD); 5,926 (4WD)
IIHS safety rating: Not rated
Limited vehicle warranty: 48 months/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 72 months/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 84 months/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Yukuhashi, Japan

2019 Infiniti QX80

See Also — Crossing Over With the Infiniti QX30

2018 Infiniti QX80 photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Some Like it Hot: 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

August 4, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

Red Sport hotness in Iridium Blue guise.

How do you like your Infiniti? Well, if you’re in the market for a sport coupe, then the luscious Q60 fills the bill. And there are multiple flavors for your consideration, ranging from mild to wild engine choices — specifically, a standard turbo four cylinder (208 hp), a medium twin-boosted V6 (300 hp), as well as a super-enhanced variant of the V6 engine.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Lucky for me, my test model was a 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, a premium 2+2 sport coupe with standard rear-wheel drive ($51,300) and available all-wheel drive ($53,300). This model represents the apex of the Q60 range, delivering a whopping 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Infiniti marries each engine to a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Alas, no manual gearbox is available…likely, the take rate would be too small to justify one.

2017 Infiniti Q70 Red Sport 400

Infiniti Nomenclature

Buyers sometimes find naming conventions confusing. When it comes to Infiniti, all car models start with a “Q,” while crossovers possess a “QX” codification. Further, drill down to specific grade or trim levels and you’ll find 2.0t, 3.0t, Sport and Red Sport 400 models. I should add that 2018 models rename the two lower trims Pure and Luxe.

But “Red Sport” doesn’t represent your color choice. Or at least it is not the only one. Indeed, you’ll find no fewer than six standard colors, including my test model’s Iridium Blue patina. Furthermore, three other color choices are available, such as Midnight Black and Majestic White for $500. If you want the color matching the model name, then Dynamic Sunstone Red ($800) is it.

So, figure that the red in “Red Sport” refers to this car’s hotness — as in the most powerful regular production V6 model available. That’s a claim Infiniti has made and I have no reason to dispute it (remember the operative word here is “regular” as certain Mercedes-AMG and BMW M models are more powerful). The closest any manufacturer appears to touch the 400-hp threshold with a V6 may be Ford with its 375-horsepower twin-turbo V6.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Strong, Provocative Exterior

The Red Sport 400 has the looks to go with the performance. Its recognizable gaping grille comes surrounded in chrome. The wraparound headlamps feature LED “hawk eye” accent lights. Front skirting with distinctly shaped embrasures housing the fog lights add drama.

The Q60 offers a muscular persona, marked by wheel arches, free-flowing character lines, vent ports, rocker panel skirting, and a subtle rear haunch. A sharply rising beltline and a dramatically falling roofline intersect to form the rear deck.

From the rear, the Red Sport 400 has a built-in spoiler, wraparound tail lamps with the familiar hawk eye expression, a diffuser, and a pair of large exhaust tips.

You’ll also find 19-inch aluminum-alloy staggered sport wheels set with summer performance staggered tires. By “staggered” this means you’ll find slightly wider wheels sitting on the rear axle. Overall, the look projects strength and confidence, along with an aggressive tone.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Comfortable, Yet Intimate Interior

So, let’s examine the Red Sport 400’s interior. It offers 2+2 seating, but that rear seat is only useful in a pinch by adults or reserved exclusively for youngsters. The front bucket seats are firm, yet comfortable. The rear half-bucket seats are sufficiently bolstered, but head and legroom are quite limited.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 The back seat does fold down, extending this model’s 12.1 cubic-feet of storage space accordingly. Me thinks that people who choose the Q60 will buy it with themselves and perhaps a significant other in mind. If you need to carry more people the Q50 sedan is the better choice here.

When it comes to cabins, the Red Sport 400 does not disappoint. A leather-covered interior with twin stitching offers a high-end flair. Carbon fiber trim, aluminum accents, and soft-touch materials are evident. You’ll find hard plastics on door bases and also surrounding the instrument panel. Otherwise, the interior is sporty, clean and all drive and comfort controls come sensibly placed.

Infiniti furnishes the Red Sport 400 with 8-way power front seats with lumbar support. You’ll also find full power accessories, dual-zone climate control, a power sliding moonroof, door handle welcome lighting, an overhead console, and illuminated sun visors. Other features include four cup holders, in-door storage pockets (they’re not large enough to hold beverage bottles), and a small concealed storage compartment at the base of the center stack. A second compartment occupies the space between the front seats and is smaller than most models in this segment.

Safety and Technology Features

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have evaluated this model. That said, there are a number of safety features present that go beyond the usual suite of airbags, stability and traction control, and brake assist.

For instance, you’ll find automatic leveling headlights, a rollover protection system, integrated turn signal mirrors, and lane departure warning. A driver assist package ($2,250) adds forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward collision warning, blind spot warning, backup collision intervention, front and rear parking sensors, and an around view monitor with moving object detection.

Naturally, a top-of-the-line model brings with it the best features. In fact, the Red Sport 400 has a 13-speaker Bose audio system with a CD player, HD radio, and satellite radio. This model also has Bluetooth connectivity, two USB ports, and a flash drive. As for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, neither are available.

Infiniti also supplies the top-end Q60 with dual display screens — an 8-inch screen sits above a 7-inch unit, with the lower screen featuring vehicle information. A voice-controlled navigation system comes bundled with a heated steering wheel ($2,250) to comprise a Premium Plus package. All models come with a rear view monitor.

Add another $1,850 to gain a technology package that brings in intelligent cruise control, an eco pedal, high beam assist, distance control assist, and a upgraded climate control system.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

On the Road

Now that we have the background and supporting information about the Red Sport 400, let’s cut to the chase and discuss the drive.

If you’re looking for excellent on-road performance and you don’t require a V8, the Q60 should be more than adequate. Unlike the standard twin-turbo V6 delivering a modest 300 horsepower, computer programming and a pair of water-filled intercoolers powered by electric pumps increase horsepower precisely by one-third to 400hp.

As a result, the two Honeywell turbos spool up faster for an almost immediate and delicious kick. Further, the Red Sport 400 employs an integrated exhaust manifold design, merging the exhaust streams within the cylinder head and effectively reducing engine bay temperatures, while permitting quicker spool up.

Adjust your seat and steering wheel, move your mirrors and buckle in, because you’re about to enjoy one heckuva sweet ride. Once you engage the ignition and before you shift into gear, let your fingers play with the drive mode selector. Here, you’ll find multiple settings for your perusal — personal, sport+, sport, standard, eco, and snow. Choose sport or sport+ if thrills and chills are what you demand — as in a firmer suspension, tighter shift points, and weighty steering. Naturally, I stayed in Sport+ mode as much as possible.

One more point: you can also set the Infiniti drive mode selector found on the lower screen by changing engine/transmission, steering, and suspension settings from standard to sport. This type of personalization may be preferable for the person who wants to optimize the engine, transmission, and steering, while leaving the suspension alone.

The enhanced version of Infiniti’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine makes
400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque.

Find an open road, preferably one with zero traffic (and no police presence…ahem), to discover everything the Red Sport 400 offers. This machine moves up to 60 mph in mere moments and continues pushing up, up and away with little effort. The exhaust note toots, but doesn’t boom, while the coupe races down the road (a much-desired performance exhaust system option is not yet available). But be careful cornering — there is no rear-slip differential present, thus the rear wheels may slip out from underneath you without warning.

Shift into sport mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow you to directly manage the transmission. Otherwise, use the transmission stick to shift up and down as you please. Such shifters are a happy medium for some, but like other enthusiasts I prefer three-pedal foot action, so that’s hardly a fitting consolation for me.

Driving dynamics are excellent as the Red Sport 400 rides on staggered tires, summer (performance) rubber at that, with four-piston brake calipers up front and two pistons at the rear. Turn ins are sharp and secure, braking is firm, while steering offers confidence — sans rack.

Indeed, the Q60 (and Q50 sedan) offer drive-by-wire, which means there is no mechanical connection from the steering wheel to the front wheels. Instead, sensors and a host of computer parts signal the front wheels how and when to turn, eliminating the weight (and danger) of a steering column impaling the driver during an accident.

You might not know the system is in place until you give it a try — simply drive over a train track (at a slow speed, of course) or other road abrasion and you won’t experience the jarring that courses through the steering column and shakes the steering wheel elsewhere. To compensate for the missing feedback you enjoy on smooth roads, Infiniti tuned its direct adaptive steering (DAS) system to deliver something close to the real thing.

Me thinks that only the most rabid driving enthusiasts will object to drive-by-wire, which so happens to be the core constituency of Q60 buyers. Then again, Infiniti is selling nearly 1,000 units per month, which is about one third the number of Q50 buyers, Infiniti’s best-selling model. Are cars dead or dying? Certainly not the Q50/60.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Parting Thoughts

Don’t forget, this review covers the top-of-the-line Red Sport 400 only. Choose all-wheel drive and select each available package and your final price will top $61,000 before incentives.

Personally, I found the rear-wheel drive model very enjoyable, so that was enough for me. Package options provide enhancements some owners want, but I didn’t miss them. Except for navigation.

All in all, the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 delivers a very satisfying driving experience. It offers a niche appeal and supplies elements of Nissan GT-R finesse, especially with the twin-turbo arrangement. The exterior design is simply beautiful and the interior is handsome and quite comfortable for two.

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Sticker price from $51,300
Price as tested: $52,205
Seats 4 occupants
Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 gas
400 horsepower @ 6,400 RPM
350 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,600 to 5,200 RPM
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 184.65 inches
Width: 72.83 inches
Height: 54.92 inches
Passenger volume: NR
Storage volume: 12.1 cubic feet
Towing capacity: NR
EPA: 20/27 mpg city/highway
Regular gasoline
Fuel tank: 21.13 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,862.5 to 4,023.4 pounds
IIHS safety rating: NR
Limited vehicle warranty: 48 months/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 72 months/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 84 months/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Tochigi, Japan

2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

See Also — Stretched Luxury: 2017 Infiniti Q70L

Nissan Armada Reprise: Platinum Style

March 6, 2017 by admin 9 Comments

Capable 2017 Armada is punctuated by the Platinum edition.

For the second time in three months, Nissan delivered a 2017 Armada for my review. My earlier review offers a thorough inspection of this full-size sport utility vehicle, a model that competes with the likes of the Toyota Sequoia, Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon.

In other words, the Nissan Armada competes in a limited segment, one where customers want all the girth and heftiness found in a big SUV — the better to hold seven or more passengers in comfort, carry generous amounts of cargo, and to supply exceptional pulling power. All five models in this segment deliver as advertised.

For a follow-up review, there are two things worth re-examining on closer inspection. These points include:

2017 Nissan Armada

1. Platinum means luxury.

Nissan offers three trims for the 2017 Armada: SV ($44,900), SL ($49,650), and Platinum ($57,590). Add $1,095 for destination. If you prefer all-wheel drive, add $2,900 to each model’s base price.

The Platinum trim represents luxury as evidenced by the standard equipment offered, including 20-inch machine-finished tinted aluminum-alloy wheels, a three-zone entertainment system with dual 7-inch monitors, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power sliding moonroof.

That’s not all you’ll find in the Armada Platinum. This model also comes with a front and rear sonar system with eight embedded sensors tasked with searching for stationary objects to help you avoid them. Audible warning notification is supplied you when you venture too close.

You’ll also find dual power folding heated side mirrors with puddle lamps, a power rear lift gate, an interior memory system, a heated steering wheel, and wood tone trim. The Platinum trim also includes dual-zone automatic climate control, a navigation system with traffic and weather reports, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot warning and intervention, backup collision intervention, and moving object detection.

In other words, all the advanced driver assist features are included. Otherwise, choose one the Armada SL trim and you can order these features as part of a $1,770 technology package.

The only package available for the Armada Platinum supplies second-row captain’s chairs with a center console for $450. Fully optioned, you’ll pay about $62,000 for the 2017 Armada — that is, before dealer discounts are taken.

Available leather, wood trim, and a gigantic interior provide the Armada with all the trappings of a premium full-size SUV. Other benefits include very comfortable front seats, a commanding view of the road ahead, a quiet ride, and inconsequential harshness and vibration. As for the audio system, a 13-speaker Bose package is standard across the model line.

2017 Nissan Armada

2. Performance supplies what you expect in this segment.

A powerful engine is the hallmark of SUVs in this class. For 2017, Nissan updated its 5.6-liter V8 engine, adding direct injection gas and variable valve event & lift systems. As a result, horsepower increased from a fairly tepid (for this class) 317 hp to 390 horses. This engine also has an output of 394 pound-feet of torque. Combined, you’re never at a loss of power.

The other important change has to do with automatic transmission. The previous five-speed automatic was replaced by a seven-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain combination is entirely suited for this model and puts the 2017 Armada on par with its rivals.

When it comes to towing, the 2017 Armada is in the thick of things. It is ahead of the Sequoia’s 7,400-pound towing capacity and matches what both the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe deliver. Only the Ford Expedition beats the Armada as it utilizes a twin-turbo V6 engine to achieve its 9,300-pound towing capacity.

Press hard on the gas pedal and the Armada supplies a confidence-building roar as it moves away from a full stop. Power keeps delivering as you work your way up to highway speed. Once you’re on the highway, you’ll find ample passing power to help you stay ahead of the crowd. Steering feels weighted, although handling is a breeze with the wheel turning whichever way you want with relative ease. Braking is firm to the touch, bringing this near-three-ton workhorse to a firm and confident stop.

2017 Nissan Armada

Shoppers who might have expected the 2017 Armada to share its platform with the current-generation Titan or Titan XD are in for a surprise. This model sells as the Nissan Patrol in global markets, an SUV with a slightly smaller wheelbase, but longer overall than 2015 and earlier Armadas (no 2016 model was produced).

The change results in a healthy 20-percent increase in torsional rigidity, something you’ll notice when navigating twisty roads and wherever body roll is a factor. This feature also makes for a safer vehicle, although no official crash testing has been conducted.

2017 Nissan Armada

2017 Nissan Armada Platinum

Sticker price from $60,490
Price as tested: from $62,000 (estimated)
Seats 7 or 8 occupants
5.6-liter 32-valve V-8 gasoline engine
390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
394 foot-pounds of torque @ 4,000 rpm
98 mm bore by 92 mm stroke
Engine compression ratio: 11.2-to-1
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 121.1 inches
Length: 208.9 inches
Width: 79.9 inches
Height: 75.8 inches
Interior volume: 154.5 cubic feet
Storage volume: 16.5/49.9/95.4 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 8,500 pounds
EPA: 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway (4×2)
Regular grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 26 gallons
Curb weight: From 5,716 or 5,963 pounds
IIHS safety rating: NR
Limited vehicle warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 60 months/60,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 60 months; unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Kyushu, Japan
Engine assembly: Decherd, Tennessee

2017 Nissan Armada

On the Road With an Infiniti Q50S

September 14, 2015 by admin 5 Comments

2015 Infiniti Q50S

Ah, naming convention changes. Lincoln has done it. Cadillac is doing it…again. And Infiniti has also accomplished a change in its own model nomenclature.

Car manufacturers, especially luxury brands, have been realigning model names to reflect a more Eurocentric alphanumeric pattern. The change is meant to advance product uniformity, but it also creates some confusion, among customers as well as with the automotive press. And we’re the ones who are supposed to know better.

Nevertheless, when a new model hits the market, it behooves everyone to understand the name as well as the origin. For Infiniti, all car models now begin with a Q. All SUVS begin with a QX. In both cases a two digit number follows, therefore you will find Q60 and QX80 within that brand range.

My most recent weekly driver was an Infiniti Q50, a five-passenger rear- or all-wheel drive sedan that replaced the previous G37 in 2014. However, the G37 was not discontinued. Instead, Infiniti kept the G37, renamed it the Q40 for 2015, and will drop that model for 2016. In effect, Infiniti offered two entry-level sedans for the 2014 and 2015 model years, with the older model undercutting the price of the new model by about $4,000. Consequently, you may find all this very perplexing.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

Befuddlement and musings aside, the 2015 Infiniti Q50 is the current gateway model for the marque. Other smaller models will eventually follow, but to avoid further disruption, we’ll concentrate on the sedan at hand.

Notably, the Q50 competes with disparate luxury sedans, including the BMW 3 Series, Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the Lexus IS Series, the Audi A4, and multifarious luxe models priced below $40,000.

Do you prefer a coupe or a convertible? Consider the Q60 instead. Oh, yes, that model was previously known as the G37 coupe.

The Infiniti Q50 is a muscular sedan, dressed with a broad, provocative grille accented by fashionable headlights and marked by a sporty lower grille opening itself balanced by a pair of embrasures containing LED lights and fog lights.

Moreover, this model has an imposing presence with a pronounced hood, muscular shoulders, and a rising beltline. Chiseled upper and lower side profile character lines, stylish aluminum alloy wheels, and a sloping roofline are present. To the rear is a trunk lip spoiler, wraparound tail lamps, chrome embellishments, fog lights and a pair of chrome exhaust finishers.

In summation, the Q50 is a sporty model with an aggressive front fascia and a slightly perceptible rear haunch.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

View manufacturer details and pricing

2015 Infiniti Q50S

The Q50 is available in three trim levels — Q50 3.7 ($37,150), Q50 Premium ($40,000), and Q50S ($43,650). Add $1,800 for each corresponding all-wheel-drive variant. And if you want a hybrid, you can have one for $44,400.

All standard models are powered by a 328-horsepower, 24-valve V-6 engine. This naturally aspirated engine is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission that can be operated in manual mode. Solid-magnesium paddle shifters are fixed to the steering column. Choose the hybrid and you get a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that makes a net 360 horsepower. Infiniti pairs the hybrid with the 7-speed automatic. Notably, the hybrid is faster too, as it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

Fuel economy for the standard Q50 is 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Choose the hybrid and you get 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. This is one hybrid that delivers exceptional power and fuel efficiency.

As tested, Infiniti delivered a Q50S model, garbed in 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, a unique sport bumper up front, and outfitted with sport brakes and sport seats. That sport seat, at least for the driver, included 10-way power adjustment along with lumbar support. Happily, at least for this writer, both the driver and the front seat passenger enjoy seat extenders. You tell me if seat extenders don’t make a difference for you when taking a long drive or when engaging in spirited driving.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

Inside, the cabin is warm and inviting with Infiniti making excellent use of leather, chrome and soft-touch materials. The interior is at once opulent as it is sensible, with just enough information present to avoid much drama.

That means you have an instrument panel with analog tachometer and speedometer displays, what hem in a digital information center. Furthermore, the expected secondary controls are on the steering column, itself offering tilt and telescopic possibilities as well as stitched leather surrounding the wheel itself.

At the top of the center stack are a pair of color displays, the top one revealing a map, your radio station or other media information, the bottom display featuring a touchscreen menu for your smartphone, navigation, and a variety of apps, including email, calendar and a performance meter. The latter not only gives you your average fuel economy, but it tracks your cornering g-force.

Beneath the displays are knobs and buttons controlling the audio system, climate, and other functions. Heated seat buttons and a closed compartment for your 12-volt outlet is present. Between the seats is the gear shifter and a control knob for the displays. The sport or Q50S edition adds a drive mode switch, allowing you to choose sport, standard, snow or eco modes. You also have a fifth option, personal, where you can set your own parameters. I kept the sedan in sport mode as much as possible, but especially when I took on the twisty roads.

Between the front seats are a pair of cup holders and a closed storage compartment. That compartment comes loaded with connectivity features, including an auxiliary input port, video connection, an SD map slot, two USB ports, and two 12-volt outlets.

As for storage, a deep glove box, a pair of in-door storage compartments with bottle holders (but no rear door sections), and seat back storage are each present. The rear bench seat is fixed in place, but it does offer a pass-through once you release the center armrest. Seating in the rear is best for two, but it can hold three, although the pronounced drivetrain protrusion makes that prospect less inviting.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

The test model also came with an overhead sunglasses holder, illuminated vanity mirrors, door kick plates, a rearview monitor, Bluetooth connectivity, power accessories, and dual-zone climate control. This model also included a navigation package ($1,400) and a moonroof package ($1,000). Other upgrades can bring in RAYS wheels ($1,000), a Deluxe Touring package ($3,100), and a technology package ($3,100). All told, you could pay upwards of $50,000 for this sedan, but that’s not unusual in this class.

Before we move on to the actual test drive, there are a few things about the Infiniti Q50 that could raise its visibility. The first one is obvious — give customers a manual transmission. Infiniti had one in the G37 cum Q40, but when the Q50 came out, its last 6-speed manual transmission vanished with it. Indeed, to be taken seriously in the luxury business, you have to offer a manual gearbox. Even if the take rate is low, just having one available builds luxe credentials.

Infiniti also needs to gin up its performance brand — Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) — to engender this brand to enthusiasts. It does have the Q60 IPL Convertible, an attractive model in its own right and an alternative to the Lexus IS C. But its 343-horsepower, sport-tuned 3.7-liter V-6 engine isn’t the kind of performance that enthusiasts want. Instead, something along the line of the twin-turbo Cadillac CTS Vsport would provide an effective rejoinder.

In this business, you have to possess the performance cojones to be perceived as a serious contender. The technology is on the Nissan brand’s side of the house and it needs to be procured by Infiniti.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

Hopefully, at this point I’ve deflated expectations only to make them more manageable. And realistic. What you have here is a very good sedan that ticks the styling, quality and fit and finish boxes. As for performance, the Q50S provides sufficient kick aligning to its size, and with sport mode selected you’ll notice that the shift patterns change and the engine responds with higher revs. Handling also tightens; the combination raises the performance quotient, what is especially evident when the paddle shifters are engaged.

And about those paddle shifters: few manufacturers other than Nissan understand that the shifters need to be big, made out of magnesium and fixed to the steering column — and certainly not to the wheel. The idiosyncrasy of fiddling with paddle shifters that move with the steering wheel is something I have never understood. Nor liked. Although my preference is always a manual gearbox over a slushbox, the Infiniti arrangement meets my satisfaction.

You’ll hit 60 mph from a dead stop in about 5.6 seconds with the Q50S. It seems faster than that as you quickly flip the right paddle. The engine roars as the sedan plunges down the road. Hang the curves and the Infiniti maintains its composure with very little body roll and no sense that it may lose its composure.

2015 Infiniti Q50S

But the direct adaptive steering system does interfere, a steer-by-wire arrangement, one devoid of the mechanical linkages and the attendant feedback that goes with it. It is an odd feeling that is hard for me to put into words, but one that creates some unease as it is also something that can be hacked. Thus, software and electronics drive the front wheels, not the usual mechanical link between the steering wheel and the steering rack used elsewhere. Indeed, that “elsewhere” is everywhere else — the Infiniti Q50 is the first model with this arrangement, what portends autonomous driving.

Is there a plus side? Yes — if you hit a pothole, the vibration won’t shoot up the steering rack and shake the wheel, sending a shudder through your body. You’re completely insulated from every possible road impact. While the enthusiast may rightfully scorn this sort of disconnect, you can bet that some customers like it. That’s been made evident in its sales too — the Q50 is Infiniti’s best selling model with 28,046 units sold year to date through August, up 21.3 percent for the year.

Now if I could only keep all the model names straight…

2015 Infiniti Q50S

Sticker price from $43,650
Price as tested: $47,755
Seats 5 occupants
3.7-liter, V-6 gasoline engine
328 horsepower @ 7,000 RPM
269 foot-pounds of torque @ 5,200 RPM
3.76 inches bore by 3.39 inches stroke
Engine compression ratio: 11.0-to-1
7-speed automatic transmission
Wheelbase: 108 inches
Length: 112.2 inches
Width: 71.8 inches
Height: 56.8 inches
Passenger volume: 100 cubic feet
Storage volume: 13.5 cubic feet
Towing capacity: NR
EPA: 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
Premium grade gasoline
Fuel tank: 20 gallons
Curb weight: From 3,675 pounds
IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+
Limited vehicle warranty: 4 years/60,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 6 years/70,000 miles
Corrosion warranty: 7 years/unlimited miles
Vehicle assembly: Tochigi, Japan

See Also — Sport Luxury SUV: Infiniti QX50