Nissan's flagship model is the Armada, a full-size three-row SUV that serves as its largest and most luxurious vehicle. As a body-on-frame vehicle, the Armada is heavier and has more towing capacity than a typical SUV. It seats between seven and eight people and comes with four-wheel drive with a low-range gearbox and powerful V8 or turbocharged V6 engines.
Nissan Armada Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
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Overseas, the current Armada is sold as the Nissan Patrol. The Infiniti QX80 and QX56, which we review separately, are sold as the luxury versions of the Armada across various generations. On the used market, upper Nissan Armada trim levels compete with the Infiniti models as they are mechanically identical to their three respective generations.
The Nissan Armada competes with other full-size body-on-frame SUVs such as the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and, depending on the year, the Dodge Durango, Toyota Land Cruiser, and Jeep Wagoneer. When properly equipped, it also competes with luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Navigator, Land Rover LR4, and Land Rover Discovery.
Nissan Armada Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pros and Cons
- Nissan Armada Generations
- Nissan Armada Third Generation (2025-Present)
- Nissan Armada Second Generation (2017-2024)
- Nissan Armada First Generation (2004-2015)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nissan Armada years are the best?
The third generation is the best Armada and one of the best full-size SUVs, period. The 2025 model was that good in our testing, though reliability is still unknown. If a used 2025 or 2026 Armada is too dear, then get the second generation from the 2021 through 2024 model years. Starting in 2021, Nissan refreshed the styling and updated the electronics. The V8 engine is excellent.
Which Nissan Armada years are the worst?
Avoid the first generation from any model year (2004-2015). They’re too outdated to be competitive in any metric, and they’re very thirsty.
Is a used Nissan Armada a good deal?
Yes. Averaged among all model years for which we have sufficient data, the Armada lists on CarGurus.ca for roughly $53,000. For a vehicle that starts at nearly $89,000 new, there is great value in buying a used Armada.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Powerful engines
- Body-on-frame design for towing and longevity
- Spacious and comfortable
Cons:
- Poor fuel economy
- Outdated technology (first and second generation)
- Cargo space lower compared to American SUVs
Nissan Armada Generations
Nissan Armada Third Generation (2025-Present)
The newest Armada is an impressive SUV not just among older Armada generations but also among traditional class leaders like the Expedition, Tahoe, and other competitors, which it truly outclasses in design, quality, and performance.
While the exterior dimensions were largely unchanged for 2025 versus the previous generation, the interior saw significant increases. Front seat legroom was up more than 10 centimetres, while third-row legroom was up nearly 15 centimetres. Cargo space was also up, with 577 litres behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres with both rows folded.
The exterior sported new headlamps with combination turn signals and daytime running lamps, new vertical taillamps, and nearly the same profile down to the shape of the doors and glass. Available air suspension, an off-road Pro-4X trim, and dramatically improved interior design and technology were all welcomed.
Replacing the 5.6-litre V8 engine was a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft torque, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission versus the older seven-speed unit. Acceleration and noise levels were significantly better. Fuel economy was marginally better at a Natural Resources Canada-estimated 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.4 highway, and 13.7 combined for most models and 15.7 L/100 km city, 12.9 highway, and 14.4 combined for the Pro4-X. Towing remained the same at 3,850 kilograms (8,500 pounds).
In Canada, the trim walk expanded beyond the previous generation’s SL and Platinum to include new Pro4-X and Platinum Reserve trims, the latter being offered with either a second-row bench or captain’s chairs. Base prices ranged from roughly $88,000 to $111,000 including destination charges and fees.
The Armada SL came standard with 20-inch wheels, a heated wiper park, a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel with power tilt/telescope, heated front seats, a 10-way power driver's seat with two-way lumbar, a six-way power passenger's seat with two-way lumbar, EZ Flex second-row seats for one-touch access to the third row, power-folding third-row seats, power-folding mirrors with integrated turn signals, a panoramic moonroof, a 12-speaker Klipsch premium audio system, Google built-in including Maps, Assistant, and Play store, Amazon Alexa, Wi-Fi, wireless charging pad, a 120-volt outlet in the cargo hold, 360-degree cameras (Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor), Invisible Hood View (to show underneath the vehicle), Trailer Back Up Assist, and ProPilot Assist 1.1 (automatic speed guidance when using navigation).
The Nissan Armada Platinum came with upgrades such as fog lights, ambient lighting with 64 colours, power motion-activated liftgate, quilted leather seats, 12-way power front seats with four-way lumbar and cooling, heated second-row seats, two 14.3-inch infotainment touchscreen displays, a dash cam with an in-car camera, biometric cooling (using infrared sensors to automatically adjust the climate in the rear), and an Intelligent Rear View Mirror (using a combination mirror/camera display).
The Armada Pro-4X introduced an air suspension for up to 34.4 millimetres of clearance and auto-height adjustment at speed and when parked, a rear locking differential, exposed tow hooks, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and a resculpted front bumper. It added a rear LED light bar and puddle lights.
The Platinum Reserve had a unique leather interior with double-coloured stitching and wood-like accents, massaging front seats, adaptive air suspension, a head-up display, 22-inch wheels, and a factory trailer brake controller. ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allowed for hands-free driving, was also standard on the Platinum Reserve, and this trim is available with second-row captain’s chairs.
For 2026, Nissan gave the Armada the NISMO treatment with 35 extra horsepower (for a total of 460), a sport exhaust, spoilers, a retuned suspension, and a special grille, red accents, black trim, and 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
At the time of writing, base MSRPs for the 2026 Nissan Armada in Canada started at $88,717 for the SL including destination charges and fees, $97,967 for the Platinum, $99,217 for the Pro-4X, $108,660 for the NISMO, and $110,880 for the Platinum Reserve (or $112,080 with the captain’s chairs). The prices shown on the latter three configurations also include the estimated federal luxury tax, which applies to the portion of the purchase price above $100,000.
As of this writing, buying a used 2025 or 2026 Nissan Armada from CarGurus.ca will save between $10,000 and $15,000 on average over buying new, and more on the higher trims as most models are priced below the luxury tax threshold.
Nissan Armada Second Generation (2017-2024)
After 12 years — double the life cycle of a typical vehicle in one generation — Nissan debuted the second-generation Armada. It was an all-new SUV based off the Patrol sold in the Middle East and Africa, not the Titan pickup truck of the first generation. Since the Patrol was a specialty vehicle for global markets instead of the North America-only Titan, production moved from Mississippi to Japan while the engine continued to be made in Tennessee.
Nissan skipped the 2016 model year and went straight to 2017, befitting its introduction in early 2016 at the Chicago Auto Show. In addition to a sleeker, more handsome body with Nissan's "V-Motion" grille, smoother sheet metal and a cleaner silhouette (no more hidden rear door handles and chunky fenders), the 2017 Armada was both shorter and longer than its predecessor. Compared to the previous generation, this Armada was 3 centimetres longer and 1.5 cm wider, yet it was 5.5 cm shorter in height and 5.3 cm shorter in the wheelbase. Cargo space was 468 litres behind the third row, 1,413 litres behind the second row, and 2,701 litres with both rows folded.
The 2017 Armada greatly improved power and safety, and it offered more luxury. Both the SL and Platinum trim levels continued with the Nissan Endurance V8, but now the 5.6-litre engine made 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque due to the switch from port to direct fuel injection and enhancements to valve timing and lift on the intake and exhaust. New pistons allowed for higher compression. A seven-speed automatic transmission, with rev matching on downshifts, replaced the five-speed unit.
Full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) with a low-range transfer case was standard in Canada. Towing capacity was reduced from 4,080 kilograms (9,000 pounds) to 3,850 kilograms (8,500 pounds). Fuel economy improved slightly to 17.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 12.9 on the highway, and 15.4 combined.
On the base SL trim, standard equipment included 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, proximity key with push-button start and remote starter, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, and a power-folding third row seat. Safety and driver assistance features included a 360-degree parking camera with moving object detection, rain-sensing wipers, reverse collision prevention, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning.
Moving up to the Platinum trim added 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats with available second-row captain's chairs, a power sliding moonroof, a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 7-inch screens and wireless headphones, blind spot intervention and lane departure warning. Base prices in 2017 were $64,748 for the SL and $70,498 for the Platinum before destination charges and fees.
For 2018, Nissan introduced the Intelligent Rear View Mirror, a combination mirror and LCD monitor that used a separate rear camera to project a live feed over the mirror at the flick of the usual day/night switch. The Armada was the first Nissan to offer this key feature. The Platinum Reserve returned with two-tone brown seats with checker-pattern stitching, matte wood trim, and dark chrome exterior trim.
The Armada received a substantial refresh for 2021 with thinner, crisper all-LED headlamps with a new bracket-shaped DRL pattern, new grilles, new bumpers, new taillamps connected by black trim, increased engine output on premium fuel (400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque). The small dash display was replaced with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a redesigned centre stack and a new seven-inch colour display in the instrument panel.
Average list prices on CarGurus for the 2017 to 2024 Nissan Armada ranged between $10,000 for early models with very high kilometres to $55,000 for newer, lower-kilometre vehicles at the time of writing.
Nissan Armada First Generation (2004-2015)
Launched as the Pathfinder Armada, Nissan's entry into the full-size SUV market was meant to sway buyers who already liked the Pathfinder but wanted it to be bigger. The Armada's biggest advantage was not in physical size. Unlike the Ford, Chevy, Dodge, GMC, and Toyota models that dominated this segment, the Armada had an independent double-wishbone rear suspension that allowed for a lower and flatter floor, which improved passenger space, cargo capacity, and handling. At its debut, the Armada had the segment’s most legroom in the second row, while all rear seats could fold down into one continuous, flat floor for up to 2,750 litres of cargo. In that way, the Armada was more like a Nissan Quest minivan than a truck.
Based on the Titan pickup, the first Armada came in two trims in Canada, SE and LE, with standard full-time four-wheel drive (4WD). Nissan's Endurance V8 was standard and would be the Armada's only powertrain through the 2024 model year. The reason was simple: at 5.6 litres, it was a tough, throaty, and reliable engine that made 305 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission shifted smoothly and quickly with the ability to tow up to 4,125 kilograms (9,100 pounds). However, fuel economy was rated at 19.9 L/100 km city and 14.1 highway, disappointingly and equally high as it was among all full-size SUVs of this era.
Standard equipment was generous with the base SE and included: automatic headlights, running boards, a six-CD stereo, power windows, heated exterior mirrors, power adjustable pedals, manual flip-out rear windows for the third row, and an eight-way power driver's seat. Ground clearance was 26.9 centimetres.
The LE came with a chrome grille, mirror-mounted puddle lamps, power flip-out rear quarter windows, a six-way power passenger seat, a power sunroof, a power liftgate, captain’s chairs and a rear centre console, fog lights, and heated leather seats. Base prices ranged from $53,898 to $60,898.
For 2006, Nissan made dual-zone climate control and a 60/40 split folding third row standard. The LE gained power-folding, heated, and dimming mirrors with exterior turn signals, and a Technology Package offered for the LE trim added MP3 and WMA audio playback capability. Majestic Blue and Pewter were new colours.
For 2007, the V8 received an enhanced air intake that resulted in 317 horsepower (up 12). The SE trim was discontinued in Canada, leaving only the LE trim.
The 2008 Armada was a mild refresh with revised grilles, new bumpers, new roof racks, restyled headlamps and taillamps, a new shifter gate, a heated steering wheel, a recoloured instrument panel, a power third-row seat, a larger 8-inch screen for the rear entertainment system, and standard 20-inch wheels. Pebble Beach and Timberline were two new colours.
The LE was renamed to Platinum Edition for 2010, and chrome accents and interior contrast stitching became standard. For 2011, an eight-seat package became available.
For 2012, a new captain’s chairs package also added heated second-row seats and a padded second-row armrest.
For 2013, illuminated vanity mirrors with sliding extendable sun visors were added. The DVD entertainment system switched from a single eight-inch screen to two seven-inch screens in the back of each front headrest. A new Platinum Reserve Package on Platinum established what would become the best Armada configuration for years to come with two-tone brown leather seating, real wood trim, and dark chrome accents.
There were no major changes for 2014. In its final year of the first generation, the 2015 Armada came with new trim designs on the inside door panels and new 20-inch wheels.
In Canada, examples of the first-generation Nissan Armada have become scarce. Average list prices on CarGurus.ca were between $6,000 and $14,000 at the time of writing, and nearly all units had odometer readings topping 200,000 kilometres.
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by Clifford Atiyeh
Clifford Atiyeh has hosted, directed, and produced more than 300 series-length videos for CarGurus since 2016. He has reported and photographed for dozens of websites, magazines, and newspapers over 20 years, including The Boston Globe, Car and Driver, and Road & Track. Clifford runs CHA Creative, which provides industry analysis and brand marketing to automotive clients.
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