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 5,305 millimetres long, 1,925 mm tall, and 2,030 mm wide. Depending on trim, the minimum ground clearance is 23.4 centimetres, and the step-in height is 56 to 58 cm—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 five colours, the Armada is beautifully finished, with deep, rich paint and lustrous chrome worthy of a luxury car. In Canada, LED fog lights, roof rails, a power moonroof, and 20-inch alloy wheels are standard features on the Armada SL , which is where the line-up starts in our market; and 22-inch diamond-cut aluminum-alloy wheels are equipped on the Platinum trim. The 22s look just right on this large SUV, filling the wheel arches and adding sparkle.

Each Armada comes with the same powertrain. The naturally aspirated 5.6-litre V8 engine is 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 power specs of 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque—a very healthy output. In Canada, rear-wheel drive (RWD) is not offered and four-wheel drive (4WD) is standard, matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Fuel consumption ratings come in at 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined. Be cautious about dismissing the Armada based on these numbers, though. This big SUV can weigh more than 2,700 kilograms (6,000 pounds), depending on configuration, and it can carry up to eight passengers and has a towing capacity of up to 3,855 kilograms (8,500 pounds) when properly equipped.

Nissan doesn't publish 0-100 km/h 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 highway. 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 always-rutted northern roads, 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 with a removable centre console between them. The third-row 60/40 split bench seat is roomy enough for three across and can be equipped with power folding and reclining functions. Headroom and legroom abound in all three rows.

Dual-zone climate control is standard, as are heated seats, while ventilated seats and heated second-row outboard seats come in at the Platinum grade. 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 467 litres of luggage behind the third-row seats. Fold the third row flat, and you've opened up 1,413 litres of space. Flop the second row down, and the Armada can now swallow up to 2,701 litres 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 670 kilograms (1,500 pounds). A power liftgate is standard in Canada.

The Armada gets standard NissanConnect technology, which uses a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as an interface at the top of the centre 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 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 standard wireless device charging pad, NissanConnect telematics services with a six-month trial for Premium services and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, navigation, hands-free text messaging, a rear-view monitor, satellite radio capability (subscription required), and standard proximity key with push-button and remote engine start.

Bose-branded audio booms in all Canadian models, with AM/FM/satellite/MP3 and 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier.

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 that are standard in Canada 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 and trailer sway control are both standard in Canada.

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 Armada starts at $70,498 in Canada for the SL trim level. The Armada Midnight Edition starts at $72,998, while the Platinum starts at $77,998. Add $1,000 to upgrade the Platinum with second-row captain’s chairs, which are standard on the Midnight Edition. Additional port-installed and dealer-installed options are available, and a $1,995 destination and handling fee applies to every purchase.

Our test SUV was a 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum with captain’s chairs. 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 it 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.

Note: Images show a US model.