Used 2021 Nissan Armada

The 2021 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating that can accommodate up to eight occupants. This year, Nissan upgraded the Armada’s look. There’s a more distinctive design for the nose and tail that includes LED lighting. And the new grill also debuts Nissan’s new logo. On the inside, there’s a new 12.3-inch touchscreen display and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, as well as a new 7-inch driver display in the gauge cluster.

The Armada’s body-on-frame construction is old-school but effective, contributing to a skill set that includes some real off-road talent in 4-wheel-drive form and the capacity to tow a substantial 8,500 pounds whether you select a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or 4-wheel-drive (4WD) Armada. New this year are a standard trailer brake controller and trailer sway control technology that works with the stability control system to help keep towed loads tracking straight. Although the Nissan Armada does have a low-range transfer case, helpful for off-pavement excursions, the Nissan doesn’t offer a specific off-road package.

Rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia have the same kind of construction and offer similar abilities, but with 400 horsepower, the Armada has the most powerful standard engine of the bunch. It also reaches Infiniti (Nissan’s luxury division) heights of luxuriousness in its plushest model (Platinum Reserve), while even the entry-level (SV) still comes well equipped.

Be aware that fuel economy is not a strong point, nor is the Armada a resale-values champ.

On the plus side, the 2021 Armada is roomy and quiet, at least in the first two seating rows. The subdued-yet-thrilling rumble of the muscular V8 adds to the eager anticipation of road trips, as long as the distances between gas stations are not too great. The 4WD Armada is EPA-rated to return just 18 mpg on the highway.

The front seats are well cushioned and pleasantly supportive, making long stints behind the wheel bearable. And overall comfort is improved by the availability of heated and cooled quilted leather seats on Platinum models, as well as a heated steering wheel.

The automatic transmission does its job efficiently, and 4X4 versions have a low gearing range for optimum off-road ability, which is enhanced by a useful ground clearance of 9.1 inches. But for serious trips on the trail, the Armada could use an off-road package.

On the minus side, the Armada’s considerable size can be a liability around town. City streets are often rougher, exposing limitations in the Armada’s suspension setup. This is also when the steering might feel heavy to some.

After climbing into the raised driving position, then adjusting the seat and steering column (there’s a wide range of movement, so most people should find their ideal setup with ease), it quickly becomes apparent that the large glass areas give the Nissan Armada superb outward vision.

Changing the focus to inside the cabin, the quality of materials, wood trim, substantial-feeling switchgear, and excellent general fit and finish put the Armada almost in the same league as its luxury Infiniti counterpart. The improvements in button size and location for 2021, as well as the new 12.3-inch touchscreen, make the appearance far less cluttered and the experience more seamless than past models.

Behind the third row is 16.5 cubic feet of cargo area. This expands first to 49.9 and then a maximum of 95.4 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded.

This is Nissan’s largest SUV, and it’s pretty chunky, upright, and tall. That’s part of its charm. The new grill, fenders, headlights, and hood create a look that’s more distinctive, upscale, and sophisticated.

The entry-level Armada rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, which is fine, but the 20-inch versions on the SL and the 22-inch wheels on the Platinum look more appropriate (even if they do have a slightly adverse effect on ride quality).

A new Midnight Edition package available on the SL trim, completely blacks out the vehicle’s exterior and includes unique 20-inch wheels.

INTELLIGENT AROUND-VIEW MONITOR
This kind of feature is often found in luxury vehicles. It’s a) really helpful and b) kind of cool to have a camera system that does so much more than provide a rearward-looking aspect. Drivers get a full 360-degree picture plus a bird’s-eye view. It’s standard in the SL grade and looks brilliant on the new 12.3-inch display.

SECOND-ROW CAPTAIN’S CHAIRS
For those families and/or businesses that can sacrifice one seating space in their SUV, selecting the optional pair of captain’s chairs brings far more comfort to the second row while improving access to the third row. It’s an option only available in the SL and Platinum grades.

The 2021 Nissan Armada full-size SUV comes in SV, SL, and Platinum trim levels. A lower-priced S model will be available at a later date. The SV comes with a trailer brake controller and tow hitch, 6-speaker Bose audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto, navigation, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, NissanConnect concierge services, 4 USB ports (2 type A and 2 type C), hands-free text messaging assistance, keyless entry/ignition, front/rear parking sensors, heated side mirrors, forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Rear Door Alert (see the Safety section below).

The SL trim kicks off with 20-inch alloy wheels, adds a power tailgate, leather seats (memory driver’s seat) and door trim, LED fog lights, intelligent around-view monitor, remote engine start, a power liftgate, 13-speaker Bose audio system, and more.

The Platinum model has 22-inch wheels, quilted leather heated and cooled front seats, rear heated seats, a family entertainment system (dual rear screens), 3rd-row power recline and fold seats, traffic sign recognition, intelligent backup collision intervention, and an intelligent rearview mirror displaying the feed from the rear-facing camera, rain-sensing wipers.

Four-wheel drive is available in every version of the 2021 Armada.

The SV appearance package includes 20-inch wheels, fog lights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power tailgate. The captain’s chair package is available on SL and Platinum models and replaces the 2nd-row bench seat with individual bucket seats and a padded center console.

The Midnight Edition package can be added to the SL for $1,990 and above grades and essentially dresses the Armada in black from tip to tail. The package brings unique 20-inch wheels (with 275/60R20 tires) as well as black-painted mirrors, roof rails, grille, skidplates, and logos. On the inside, the headliner is black, as is the trim and leather seats. The package adds a specific cargo mat as wells as “Midnight Edition” floor mats.

Compared with main rivals like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia, the 2021 Armada has the most standard power, with 400 horsepower from its 5.6-liter V8 when the tank is filled with Premium fuel (390 hp otherwise). Chevy’s optional 6.2-liter V8 generates 420 hp.

A 7-speed automatic transmission directs energy to the rear axle in standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) form, or both axles with the optional 4-wheel-drive system. Chevy and Ford both offer 10-speed automatics.

It’s a strong and dependable drivetrain, but hardly thrifty with fuel, averaging around 15 mpg (4WD). The standard maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds is impressive. But most rivals have similar abilities and, in some cases, more when optioned with a tow package.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/high fuel economy: 14/19 mpg (RWD), 13/18 mpg (4WD)