Critics of the Nissan Armada have plentiful arrows of their quiver – it’s thirsty, it doesn’t deal with effectively, its styling is considerably ungainly, and it’s primarily based on a platform that dates again a full decade. Armoring the corporate towards these blows is the facelifted 2021 Nissan Armada, however sadly, a collection of updates does little to deflect photographs away from the massive SUV – the Armada remains to be a lot the identical because it’s all the time been.
Nonetheless, there are circumstances the place the Armada’s weaknesses flip into strengths, and whereas the refreshed styling received’t hold pundits from hurling their stones, it additionally preserves the three-row Nissan’s finest attributes. For instance, the 2021 Armada is among the cushiest, smoothest, and quietest automobiles in the marketplace, and because it’s (nonetheless) primarily based on the overseas-only Nissan Patrol, it encompasses a strong chassis and four-wheel-drive system, with plenty of suspension journey to traverse rocks, ruts, and rivulets. And there’s completely one thing to be mentioned for a car that excels in a single or two areas, even when it neglects others.
Styling Overload
One among my private criticisms towards the previous Armada was its styling. A sloping entrance grille and dopey, downturned headlights gave it a pug-like look – charming in its personal method, however finally kinda ugly. The 2021 Armada is totally different, at the least, however I don’t suppose it’s any higher. I like the upper, flatter hood and the E-shaped headlights rather a lot, recalling the up to date 2020 Titan and establishing a powerful company truck face. However the squared-off entrance finish and crisp fenders are wholly at odds with the carryover vents aft of the entrance wheels. Ditching that physique jewellery altogether would have yielded a extra cohesive design.
Updates to the rear are a bit extra profitable. I’m not an enormous fan of the chunky rear bumper, however the taillights function a notched LED accent that cleverly remembers the headlight form, and a brand new liftgate does away with the outgoing mannequin’s bulbous heinie. Each ends of the Armada are sharper and extra techno-modern, though that creates some design battle with the still-bubbly doorways and quarter panels. Additionally, does anybody beside me miss the two-tone fender accents?
Inside, there’s not a lot to complain about – which is a big win for the Armada in and of itself. The 2017-era SUV featured totally outdated electronics inside, with a relatively tiny 8.0-inch touchscreen displaying an previous infotainment system that featured neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto. Nonetheless, the 2021 Armada ditches that previous setup in favor of an ordinary 12.3-inch show with Wi-Fi, wi-fi CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. A newly commonplace 7.0-inch info display screen within the instrument cluster is a pleasant addition as effectively.
The horizontal display screen seems on the tippy-top of a redesigned heart stack, beneath that are relocated quantity and tuning knobs, in addition to a number of redundant audio controls. HVAC vents and a way more intuitive local weather management panel seem beneath the infotainment system, inserting essentially the most generally used secondary controls a lot increased than earlier than. Down a bit decrease are a wi-fi charging pad, trailer brake controller, and USB-A and USB-C ports. In any other case, the inside appears comparable, although I’m not mad. I just like the twin-cowl design, and the admittedly flat entrance seats are nonetheless extremely comfortable for lengthy drives.
On The Street Once more
A lot of the updates to the 2021 Armada are skin-deep, so it’s not stunning how acquainted it feels after thumbing the push-button starter. Underhood is a direct-injected 5.6-liter V8, pumping out 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet – its base towing capability of 8,500 kilos is best-in-class (although some rivals provide extra with elective gear). A carryover seven-speed automated delivers smooth-shifting energy to both the rear wheels or a full-time four-wheel-drive switch case that splits torque entrance and rear by way of clutch packs (not a extra conventional lockable heart differential). 4-wheel drive fashions get low-range gearing as effectively.
That buttery powertrain is a preview of your entire on-road expertise within the Armada. The engine is whisper-quiet, and it may be mounted on gimbals for the way little vibration enters the cabin at idle or on full throttle. Likewise, the Armada’s double-wishbone entrance and rear suspenders iron out nearly each pavement imperfection, even on dangerous roads. The softly sprung SUV does bounce round a bit on undulating pavement, however placing some starch into the suspension would degrade trip high quality all over the place else. It’s a suitable compromise in most conditions.
After all, that pillowy softness turns ugly – and presumably harmful – when introducing the Armada to a curvy street or a fast lane change. Physique motions are poorly managed, with loads of roll resulting in unlucky transitional responses. Regardless of a four-corner unbiased suspension, athleticism isn’t the Nissan SUV’s forte. Then once more, the identical may very well be mentioned of the Toyota Land Cruiser (and don’t scoff at that comparability earlier than giving it some thought).
In different markets, each the present 200-Collection Land Cruiser and the Y62 Nissan Patrol are offered in additional austere varieties, giving farmers, authorities companies, and off-road lovers a sturdy car to work and play with. Each automobiles additionally play to the identical strengths within the US, with {smooth} and comfy interiors hiding rough-and-ready off-road elements. In my temporary time within the grime, the Armada did all the things I needed it to with none criticism, and the identical glorious trip high quality persists even when traversing small obstacles.
Except for the Land Cruiser’s peerless, hand-built fame as a premium product, the one philosophical distinction between the 2 is worth – a loaded 2021 Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4 must be $20,000 cheaper than the $85,515 Cruiser, although Nissan has but to disclose official pricing. In that vein, I feel it’s truthful to think about the Armada as much less of a mainstream three-row SUV and extra of a budget-priced Land Cruiser.
Consolation And Comfort
Serving to issues additional is a well-constructed inside. The SL examined right here comes commonplace with leather-based and heated entrance seats, although even the SV mannequin will get Prima-Tex upholstery that does an honest impression of real hides. The highest-rung Platinum Reserve ups the consolation ante additional with quilted leather-based, heated and ventilated entrance seats, and a heated second row. Throughout the board, the Armada has premium-feeling inside supplies all through, with onerous plastics exhibiting up solely sometimes. The shiny, glittery faux-wood trim has acquired to go, although.
The primary two rows of seats are mounted excessive and upright, and this tester advantages from elective second-row captain’s chairs separated by a middle console storage armrest. Heated entrance seats are commonplace on the SL, as is leather-based upholstery. The Platinum Reserve, which we didn’t get to drive, ups the ante with beautiful quilted leather-based with heated and ventilated entrance and heated rear seats. Cargo house is a bit missing with all seats in place, however fold the cramped third row flat and there’s loads of room for a household of 4 (or 5, in the event you go for the usual rear bench).
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A set of driver-assist options comes commonplace on the Armada, although it’s not as complete as one would possibly discover in rivals. Full-speed adaptive cruise management is commonplace, as is automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Lane departure prevention, blind spot monitoring, rear automated braking, and entrance and rear parking sensors come on each Armada as effectively. Nonetheless, there isn’t any type of lane-centering function, and since inserting the massive SUV is a little bit of a trick generally, the motive force ought to turn out to be accustomed to feeling the lane departure warning’s steering wheel vibration usually.
The Backside Line
Alongside the already-announced SV, SL, and Platinum Reserve fashions, Nissan will add a base 2021 Armada S to the lineup. Particulars on the brand new base trim are sparse, however it’s going to doubtless begin at about $45,000 in two-wheel-drive type or $48,000 for a four-wheeler. It should most likely jettison some premium options, just like the wi-fi charging pad, adaptive cruise management, fake leather-based upholstery, and trailer brake controller, and it would trip on 17-inch wheels as an alternative of the SV’s 18-inch alloys.
Shifting increased within the lineup, we doubt pricing will change a lot between 2020 and 2021. Presently, an SV mannequin begins at $47,500, whereas the leather-lined SL calls for $52,300 and the premium Platinum Reserve is $60,930 – add $3,000 if you would like all-wheel drive. With a number of trendy additions, it may be truthful to see the Armada SV begin at just below $50,000 and the Platinum Reserve to prime out at $65,000 or so. That roughly matches the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe, which begins at $49,000 and maxes out at $72,600. In the meantime, the Ford Expedition asks between $52,810 and $77,085 of its new proprietor, whereas the Toyota Sequoia ranges between $50,100 and $69,375.
Value is only one component of the Armada’s possession expertise, and as with different on-road dynamic attributes, gasoline financial system is fairly poor within the Nissan. The corporate claims 14 miles per gallon metropolis, 19 freeway, and 16 mixed with two-wheel drive or 13 metropolis, 18 freeway, and 15 mixed with four-wheel drive. Amongst its key competitors, solely the Toyota Sequoia is thirstier. The Armada can also be a bit smaller outdoors than its three rivals, with much less inside and cargo house as effectively – blame these world Patrol bones for the marginally tight inside and credit score them for the higher path maneuverability.
Total, the Armada’s vastly improved infotainment bundle and totally different (if not essentially higher) styling set it other than its speedy predecessor in a number of key methods. Newly commonplace smartphone integration makes dwelling with the SUV every day way more nice, nevertheless it’s nonetheless the identical hulking beast it was earlier than. Which means considerably archaic on-road manners, offset by charming off-road functionality and comfortable NVH traits that flip nearly each street floor into marzipan. These are two Armada traits that not even essentially the most militant critic can assault.
