A new Armada is sailing our way and to give us something to look forward to over the holidays, Nissan offered up a first teaser image of the big SUV coming for 2025 – alongside a 1967 version of the classic Patrol model that Armada originally was based on. Here’s what we know about the 2025 Nissan Armada ahead of its official debut.
Nissan’s lone teaser image appears to show that the new Armada/Patrol will pay homage to the past while also embracing the future.
The good news is that we won’t have to wait long to see the 2025 Nissan Armada. The third-generation SUV will make its official debut on September 3rd.
As before, the next-generation Nissan Patrol set to debut post-Labor Day holiday will provide the foundation for the biggest SUV in the automaker’s American line-up. The U.S. version, sold here as the Armada, will stick closely to the basics of the Patrol, obviously undergoing the necessary regulatory updates and tweaks to reflect U.S. customer demand.
That includes some features borrowed from the recently redesigned QX80, the flagship of the Infiniti brand, with which the 2025 Nissan Armada will share its full-size platform.
What we know
The new model will have big shoes to fill with the current generation model being in production since 2020.
Nissan hasn’t revealed much about the Armada, at least not officially, but enough has leaked out that we have a good sense of what to expect.
For starters, it will retain a body-on-frame platform – something that has set the outgoing Armada apart from the rest of the Nissan SUV line-up. The new design features an updated version of the brand’s familiar V-Motion grille. There’s new front lighting, as the teaser image suggests, and a major redesign of the back end, as well.
Some reports suggest the Nissan Patrol will introduce new lighting technology that pulses, flashing faster as the driver presses harder on the brake pedal. While several manufacturers have developed similar technology it so far has not been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for use in the U.S.
Like the outgoing Armada, the 2025 Nissan SUV will retain its three-row layout, likely offering buyers a choice of seven or eight seats, depending upon how they configure the center row.
Luxury and technology
Look for the 2025 Armada/Patrol to borrow a few tricks from the Infiniti QX80 when it comes to luxury and features
Expect it to be not only the brand’s biggest sport-utility vehicle but its most lavishly equipped, dealers who’ve already seen the 2025 Armada suggest it comes close to both the Infiniti QX80, as well as the Range Rover, in terms of its features. But don’t expect a full clone of the Infiniti model as the Nissan brand doesn’t want to cut into demand for its upscale sibling.
One question is whether the new Patrol/Armada package will pick up QX80’s new digital display system. It features twin 14.3-inch digital displays atop the instrument panel. Both can be reconfigured in a variety of ways. A third, 9-inch touchscreen resides just below the infotainment display and controls functions such as the SUV’s climate control.
Whatever the display layout, expect to see the Armada share the more luxurious model’s multiple camera views, including one functionally allowing a driver to “see” through the hood. This is particularly useful, whether dealing with curbs or off-road obstacles.
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Powertrain
One of the big surprises Infiniti delivered with the new QX80 was the decision to abandon its traditional V-8 drivetrain, substituting a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6.
Expect to see it power the 2025 Nissan Armada, as well. And few potential buyers are likely to complain considering it pumps out 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the QX80 and is expected to deliver the same numbers in the Nissan package.
That’s up 50 hp and over 100 lb-ft compared to the outgoing SUV. The new engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and buyers have a choice of either rear- or all-wheel-drive. Motorists can choose between Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Tow drive modes, or customize settings in a Personal mode.
The drivetrain should match QX80 with enough grunt to tow up to 8,500 pounds.
On Patrol
The Patrol has played a strong role in Nissan’s history with the first model making its debut in 1951.
To mark the upcoming debut, Nissan offered some history along with this teaser image showing the new Armada and a 1967 version of the old Patrol.
That badge earned a lot of respect when it first debuted in 1951 by becoming the first vehicle that could claw its way to the top of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji. A second-generation model was introduced in 1959 and stuck around for 21 years.
Patrol was sold in the U.S. from just 1962 to 1960 but it gained some notoriety by featuring legendary cowboy Roy Rogers as a spokesman.
One rule about ‘teases” — they have to be desirable.
Nissan needs to do better with the suspension system and transmission on the Armada. I just spent $2k this year on new air bags, the switch, fuse, labor and hours of trouble shooting and the the suspension is out again. We have owned 2 altimas, a Pathfinder, a Titan and now this Armada and this will be the last Nissan.