First Drive: 2025 Nissan Armada

A new Nissan Armada has sailed into U.S. showrooms, the three-row beast picking up on some of the rugged cues first seen in the form of the old Nissan Patrol way back in 1951. There are some welcome changes with the third-generation SUV, including the addition of an off-road Pro-4X trim. But buyers might also take some convincing that the beefy new turbo-six is a worthy replacement for the old V-8. Headlight.News had a chance to check out the 2025 Nissan Armada and here’s our review.

For those looking for a full-size, three-row SUV, the Nissan Armada has often been just an afterthought. The Japanese automaker was determined to get back on buyer’s shopping list with the launch of an all-new version of the big SUV for the 2025 model year.

The 2025 Nissan Armada has a lot going for it, including some welcome new tech features, along with a first-time, off-road-oriented Pro-4X package. It’s also got a new powertrain that pumps out substantially more horsepower and torque, welcome whether on-road or off. But will full-size SUV buyers be willing to switch from V-8 to V-6? That was one of the questions I wanted to answer when Nissan invited me out for a day of driving.

After spending time with the third-generation Armada, I can say that the company has good reason to be optimistic. Here’s my review.

The fleet is in

While the Armada name is relatively new, the big ute traces its roots back more than seven decades when Nissan introduced the original Patrol — the name it still uses in most other markets. 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.

The Armada name dates back to 2003, and the original model was one of the first products to be assembled at the then-new Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi. The first-gen model stayed there through 2015, though production of the next model was shifted back to Japan where it was build alongside both Patrol and the Infiniti QX80.

The U.S. version, sold as Armada, doesn’t stray far from the latest version of Patrol, beyond the obvious changes needed to meet regulatory requirements and the demands of U.S. customers. It retains a body-on-frame platform – setting it 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 and a major redesign of the back end, as well. Like the outgoing Armada, the 2025 model retains its three-row layout, offering buyers a choice of seven or eight seats, depending upon how they configure the center row.

Armada is not only the brand’s biggest sport-utility vehicle but its most lavishly equipped, but don’t expect a full clone of the Infiniti SUV, the Nissan brand not wanting to cut into demand for its upscale sibling.

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. The same strategy was used for the Armada.

While there will likely be some drivers that lament the loss of two cylinders, it’s hard to see why. At 425 horsepower, the tubocharged-six punches out 25 hp more than the old eight-banger, and torque jumps a substantial 103 pound-feet to 516. That’s enough to haul a trailer of more than 8,000 pounds.

There’s another reason to appreciate the new V-6: the new engine runs on regular fuel, a big savings compared to the premium gas required by 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.

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Pro-4X

The other big news comes with the launch of a first-ever Armada Pro4X. That’s a name Nissan loyalists should be familiar with, the brand’s counter to competing, off-road oriented products like those Toyota badges TRD.

There’s been a significant increase in interest among U.S. buyers asking for off-road-capable products – especially since the early COVID lockdowns. The Armada Pro-4X delivers with features like bigger 20-inch wheels, tow hooks, a front skid plate and front and rear bumpers designed to improve both approach and departure angles. The package adds a locking rear differential and its camera technology adds a new “Invisible Hood” function which displays a view that resembles what you’d see if you could see precisely what’s ahead of the front wheels. That’s useful both off-road and when parking.

Armada Pro 4-X also gets some nice luxury-style features, such as a sunroof, hands-free liftgate, heated second-row seats – and the electronically controlled air suspension shared with the top-line Armada Premium Reserve. The system can be raised a full two inches, the better to clear off-road obstacles, or lowered two inches for easier access to the passenger compartment.

The Premium Reserve adds still more luxury features, of course, including slick 22-inch wheels.

Driving impressions

I wish I could tell you how well Armada handles off pavement but I didn’t have the opportunity to check that out this particular run. That said, the weather was miserable on my driving day, with plenty of snow falling and patches of snow and ice on the pavement.

My Armada seemed immune, seemingly never losing its grip. I spent my time in a Platinum Reserve and quickly came to appreciate the various functions and features, including the air suspension. Curiously, I found less of the jitteriness that was one of the frustrations I had with the Infiniti QX80 last autumn. The ride was smooth and compliant on all but the roughest pavement – and snow patches. But you do feel the raw mass and high center of gravity when you enter a tight corner.

I did find the turbo-six engine a little sluggish to respond to sudden demands from my right foot – especially at lower speeds. Switching to Sport Mode did enhance the SUV’s overall responsiveness, however.

If I had one real disappointment it came in the form of the new QX80’s back bench – which remains a bit of a penalty box for adults, largely because it sits so close to the floor. The good news is that the second-row seats now have a tilt-and-slide function making access to the back seats much easier. Armada also features a flat and spacious cargo load floor when the back row is folded down.

Technology and Safety

The Armada Platinum Reserve picks 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. Other trim levels feature twin 12.3-inch displays which are still large enough to read easily.

One feature Ireally  appreciated was the 12-speaker Klipsch audio system. As you’d expect of a vehicle in this segment, the 2025 Nissan Armada gets wireless versions of both Apple CarPlay and Android Audio.

There’s an extensive array of advanced driver assistance systems – such as automatic emergency auto braking. And Armada offers the optional ProPilot system. It allows for hands-free driving on certain highways. The latest version is a big improvement over the versions of ProPilot I’ve driven in the past, though not quite up to competing technologies like General Motors’ Super Cruise or Tesla’s Autopilot.

Final word

Nissan deserves credit for the upgrades made to the 2025 Armada. The Pro-4X is a great addition to the line-up and the new turbo-six engine is a worthy replacement for the old V-8. There are some nice, luxurious features, even on base trim packages.

The question is whether the big SUV is worth the price. Even before factoring in the new tariffs coming from the Trump administration, the gen-3 Armada isn’t cheap, starting at a base $79,000 – including $2,010 for delivery fees. Where optional, expect to pay around $3,000 more to go all-wheel-drive.

That seems more like what I’d have expected to pay for the more lavish Infiniti QX80. That said, you do get a lot for the money. We’ll have to see if the 2025 Nissan Armada’s latest incarnation will be enough to stand up to competitors such as the Toyota Grand Highlander, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon or Ford Expedition.