2025 Nissan Armada: Also-Ran Tries to Play Like a Champ
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The Nissan Armada has always been more successful in the United States than in Canada, proportionally speaking. To be clear, large SUVs are popular north of the border, too, but mostly those from Ford and General Motors. With just 874 units sold last year (compared with 21,184 in the U.S.), the Armada is not having a big impact on Nissan Canada’s bottom line.
As you know, the Japanese automaker is currently navigating in troubled waters, yet it hopes to turn things around and gain market shares with the redesigned, third-generation Armada, which now differs a little more from the Infiniti QX80 (also new for 2025) and adds a more adventurous dimension to its portfolio.
- Also: All-New 2025 Nissan Armada Adds PRO-4X Model, Twin-Turbo V6
- Also: 2025 Infiniti QX80 : Giving It The Old College Try
With more or less the same size and proportions as its predecessor, the new Armada no longer intends to play second fiddle in the segment. It is available in five trim levels (one less than in the U.S.), most notably the new PRO-4X that serves as a response to the Tahoe Z71, Yukon AT4, Expedition Timberline and Sequoia TRD Pro. Nissan anticipates this rugged model to account for 30 percent of Armada sales, a seemingly conservative target given its appealing looks, content and capabilities.
Flexing Its Muscles
Nissan has managed to infuse character into the Armada’s exterior. The previous generation wasn’t so bad, but it was getting long in the tooth. The new model is not only fashionable but also more aggressive and distinctive—definitely a nice job by designers. What’s more, each model boasts a unique appearance. While the Platinum and Platinum Reserve are high-class SUVs, the PRO-4X is like an adventurer dressed in orange-accented gear, underbody plates and off-road tires on 20-inch black wheels.
Nissan, which has a knack for turning existing components into material for new models, has retained the old Armada’s chassis while making modifications to increase rigidity, thus resulting in improved capabilities and handling. Maximum towing capacity is unchanged at 8,500 lbs, which is slightly below average yet more than adequate to meet the needs of customers. For convenience, the Armada is also equipped with an integrated trailer brake controller and brake light checker.
Now With Just Six Cylinders
No, you won't find a GT-R engine under the hood. Rather, the 2025 Armada gets a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 that’s shared with the QX80 albeit with a tad less power so it can run on regular gasoline. Generating 425 hp and more importantly 516 lb-ft of torque, performance is unquestionably more impressive than that of the old Armada's V8. For sure, the sound effects are not as captivating—heck, they’re even unpleasant at times—but the V6 proves surprisingly flexible and is beautifully paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Opt for a PRO-4X or Platinum Reserve model and you'll benefit from Nissan’s first application of a load-levelling, adaptive air suspension. Not only does it improve handling by reducing weight transfers and body roll, but it also offers greater versatility based on drive mode selection. With its suspension raised to its highest setting—2.1 inches above standard height, the Armada PRO-4X provides 9.6 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 33.9 inches, a breakover angle of 25.3 inches and a departure angle of 24.3 inches, facilitating manoeuvres off the beaten path.
On the road, the 2025 Armada is quieter and more refined than its predecessor, showing greater stability and a lack of creaking noises. It's also where we realized that Nissan’s full-size SUV no longer has anything to envy the competition, except for fuel economy. You see, despite an improvement of 11 percent over the previous generation, the new Armada is 15 percent less fuel-efficient than the more powerful, gas-electric Sequoia, and even less efficient than a Ford Expedition or Jeep Wagoneer. Unsurprisingly, the PRO-4X model is the worst performer due to increased drag and rolling resistance. Only GM’s V8-powered SUVs burn more fuel.
A Transformed Interior
The tough and strong Armada is more comfortable and more accommodating than ever. It can accommodate up to eight occupants and features power-folding third-row seats. Access to those seats is greatly facilitated, too. Meanwhile, the list of gadgets and creature comforts has never been this long and impressive. With the exception of the entry-level SL model, the Armada gets new 14.3-inch screens with Google integration, superb graphics and flawless ergonomics.
Of course, some bits and pieces are borrowed from other Nissan products, but the company has made commendable efforts to bring the Armada up to date. This is particularly true when it comes to cameras: Invisible Hood View helps spot obstacles by providing a virtual view "through" the engine bay, Front Wide View provides a wide-angle vantage to the front, and 3D Around View Monitor allows the driver to rotate the viewing angle on the infotainment display to spot obstacles and hazards from nearly any angle. In addition, a technology called Biometric Cooling uses a headliner-mounted infrared camera to detect overheated front and second-row passengers and direct more cooling air toward them.
Hop in a Platinum Reserve model and you'll be able to appreciate the high-quality fit and finish as well as the exceptional level of luxury. A premium-looking interior with tasteful material selection is made even more enjoyable thanks to available massaging front seats. We quite liked the tall centre console offering multiple storage solutions, not to mention the many physical controls on the centre stack which make for easier use than the screen-heavy approach in some competitors.
An honourable mention also goes to the new audio system developed by Klipsch, which features just twelve speakers but impresses with excellent sound quality and tunability. All too often, systems with 25, 30 or even 40 speakers prove difficult to tune optimally, even for the most astute audiophiles.
Up to 21 Percent More Expensive
Beyond the many technological advancements, the 2025 Nissan Armada is a seriously convincing truck. While the previous generation (2016-2024) aged rapidly, the latest one is likely to stand the test of time better. Quality, driveability, comfort and styling admittedly make the Armada a more attractive SUV than the Sequoia, but the latter gets the edge in the powertrain department as the only hybrid in the segment.
That being said, the new Armada comes with a hefty price tag. It is up to 21 percent more expensive than the 2024 model. Some Nissan dealers are currently selling 2024 Armada Platinums for less than $70,000, while the 2025 model ranges from $87,093 to $108,093 (including freight and PDI). That’s going to hurt, especially considering that rivals from Chevrolet, GMC and Ford are cheaper. Even Toyota, which is not known for its aggressive pricing, sells the Sequoia for less than the Armada ($85,915 to $103,885).
At over $100,000, the Armada comes dangerously close to the price of a QX80, a true luxury SUV. Customers may therefore choose to skip top-end Armada models and ride with Infiniti instead. For some, the move will be pretty easy as many Infiniti dealerships are being merged with Nissan showrooms, bringing all their products under one roof.
In short, the Armada’s steep price won’t do it any good. Manufacturer discounts may soon follow, unless demand in the U.S. remains high and Nissan chooses to focus on that market, as Toyota does with the Sequoia. As mentioned before, the more rugged-looking and more capable PRO-4X model is likely to appeal to a number of customers despite costing $97,093. Of all the Armadas, this will undoubtedly be by far the most popular, maybe even accounting for 50 percent of Canadian sales.
