- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr
Nissan Armada SUV. Full size
The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV designed specifically for North American buyers. The vehicle is based on a large Titan pickup (F-Alpha platform). Produced at the Nissan plant in Mississippi from 2003 to 2015, the first generation was a real American, a giant SUV suitable for all possible transportation needs. Since 2016, the second-generation Armada moved to its homeland in Japan, but it did not become less ‘American’, although it received a different platform from the Nissan Patrol. The luxury version of the Armada was sold as the Infiniti QX80 (QX56 until 2014). The Nissan Armada is available for sale in the US, Canada and Mexico, but it is not supplied to Israel. And, indeed, why do we need such huge ‘monsters’?
The first generation
The first Nissan Armada was very large. The SUV 5,255 mm long, 2,002 mm wide and 1,913 mm high, with the wheelbase of 3,130 mm and curb weight of 2.4 tons. The vehicle came with an appropriate 5.6-liter V8 VK 56DE engine, which developed 317 hp and 510 Nm, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive version was standard, but there were also rear-wheel drive options. The body-on-frame vehicle featured double wishbone independent suspensions at the front and at the rear.
Such a large SUV had a 7-seater interior. There were two trim levels, SE and LE, both perfectly well-equipped: leather interior, electric front seats with memory, dual-zone climate control and additional air conditioning for rear passengers, fifth door drive with remote control. The options included: an entertainment system with screens in the front headrests, navigation, and a rear-view camera.
In 2007, the Armada was restyled: the front end of the body and many interior details were improved, which increased made the vehicle more comfortable in its everyday use. In 2011, the trim levels were changed. In 2013, the SUV received Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a new navigation system with a 40GB hard drive. At the end of the release, the vehicle was sold not only in the USA, Canada and Mexico, but also in the Middle East.
The second generation
The second Armada appeared in 2016 and became the American version of the Nissan Patrol. Even the modifications were ‘tailored’ to the US market. The vehicle featured the same 5.6-liter V8 engine, coupled with a 7-speed automatic gearbox. As is typical for the United States, the vehicles were equipped not only with all-wheel drive, but also with rear-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive Armada had an electronically controlled transfer case with a demultiplier. The vehicle was suitable for 8 people. At the same time, the second row could be turned into two separate seats in the Platinum version.
The new Nissan Armada received a navigation system, an 8-inch display, a Bose sound system, LED running lights and low beam headlights, as well as a full range of active safety systems. The expensive version had a panoramic roof and a rear seat entertainment system with two separate monitors, a DVD player, wireless headphones and a remote control. 18-inch wheels were installed on the entry-level models, whereas the top-end versions received 20-inch wheels.
2020 restyling
The restyled Nissan Armada was presented in December 2020. The model went on sale at the end of January 2021. Due to the fact that the second generation Armada turned out to be more successful than the first, it was decided to improve it even more. The vehicle received a larger radiator grille, new unusual C-shaped LED headlights and modified LED taillights. The 2020/2021 Nissan Armada boasts two new body colors and redesigned 22-inch wheel rims.
The SUV features a new center console that sports a wider media screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. The dashboard is a 7-inch color screen and old-fashioned analog dials that Nissan stubbornly remains faithful to. A wireless smartphone charger has become standard, as has Nissan’s Safety Shield 360. The materials and quality of the interior trim have not changed, but the top Platinum modification received new leather seats. Moreover, the new Nissan Armada features a large interior mirror with a built-in screen, which displays the image from the rear camera. The vehicle is still powered by a 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine with 406 hp and 560 Nm.
