Once you store for a full-size SUV, the 2021 Nissan Armada may not high your “must-look” listing. Maybe it ought to. True, critics don’t typically rave about this three-row SUV that seats as much as eight passengers, however its house owners do. The Armada topped the 2020 J.D. Energy listing for “highest-rated household SUV for high quality,” based mostly on verified house owners’ suggestions.
The Trendy Xterra
And the most recent Armada is poised for extra kudos. Nissan boosted the capabilities, tech, and elegance of the 2021 mannequin of its flagship SUV, which it first launched to U.S. consumers in 2004. Nissan nonetheless designs the Armada for households and the gear they lug to highschool occasions, trip locations, and purchasing journeys.
But, the “field on wheels” design of the 2004 Armada is lengthy gone. The 2021 mannequin has a extra athletic construct that resembles the automaker’s discontinued Xterra. A brand new grille, hood, fenders, and new LED headlights add to its modern look.
The passing exterior resemblance the Armada shares with the discontinued five-passenger Xterra, which ended manufacturing in 2015, is mainly all the 2 fashions have in widespread. The Xterra, which was a cross between the automaker’s Pathfinder SUV and its Frontier pickup, was constructed for off-roading adventures. That translated right into a cramped again seat, difficult-to-exit rear doorways, and low fuel mileage. The 2021 Nissan Armada is all about high-tech consolation and security, nevertheless it nonetheless delivers an off-roading prowess for individuals who need to camp, hike, kayak, or simply discover unfamiliar roads.
2021 Nissan Armada: Engine & Powertrain
Nissan outfitted all trim ranges of the 2021 Armada with a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 with 400 horsepower (5200 rpm) and 413 lb-ft. of torque (at 4,000 rpm). The seven-speed computerized transmission with Adaptive Shift Management and Downshift Rev Matching is commonplace. The 2021 Armada is obtainable in rear-wheel drive or Nissan’s superior Auto 4WD system, which options Auto/4HI/4LO modes, an electronically managed part-time switch case, and a 2.70:1 4LO gear ratio.
The facility comes at a value, although. Just like the aforementioned Xterra, Nissan stories low estimated gas scores for the 2WD Armada at 14/19 metropolis/freeway and 16 mixed. The 4WD mannequin will clock in at a fuel hungry 13/18 metropolis/freeway and 15 mixed. In case you are towing, count on these gas financial system figures to drop much more. When correctly outfitted, the 2021 Armada can tow as much as 8,500 lbs.
Chassis & Suspension
As is typical with massive SUVs, the brand new Armada makes use of its body-on-frame building made primarily of high-strength metal. From there, Nissan constructed the brand new Armada with an unbiased double-wishbone entrance and rear suspension. That suspension, mixed with Hitachi twin-tube shock absorbers on every nook, ought to enhance passenger consolation even if you swing it onto grime and off-roading trails.
In case you do occur to enterprise off-road, Nissan has included a regular skid plate for the radiator for added safety.
Inside Therapies
The entrance, 10-way, power-adjustable bucket seats are heated. The second row, which folds to a 60/40 split-bench, has a roomy 40 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom. One observe: You possibly can go for second-row captain’s chairs within the two highest trim ranges (SV and Platinum), however the capability then drops to seven occupants.
Maybe one of the best family-friendly function of the third row is a 60/40-split bench seat that folds flat. That’s nice when you must carry something from groceries to youngsters’ sports activities tools. The draw back – It’s robust to climb into the third row due to a big hump within the flooring.
Tech & Connectivity Options
Armada’s tech is beneficiant throughout all trim ranges. Commonplace options contains:
- Steering wheel audio controls.
- Bluetooth hands-free telephone system.
- Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation with SiriusXM.
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto.
- Site visitors and Journey Hyperlink (with three-month complimentary trial entry).
- NissanConnect Providers powered by SiriusXM (with five-year Plus and six-month Premium complimentary trial entry).
One different inside enchancment is the 12.3-inch touchscreen on the brand new middle stack. The controls are clearly labeled, and the design permits you to stow the wi-fi charging pad.
2021 Nissan Armada Trim Ranges
At the moment, the 2021 Nissan Armada is obtainable in SV, SL, and Platinum fashions. The automaker guarantees an “S” grade at an unannounced later date.
SV
The bottom mannequin rides on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels fitted with 265/70R18 BSW all-season tires. It contains AM/FM and auxiliary audio with six audio system, a Rearview Monitor, push-button begin, and heated adjustable entrance leatherette seats. The driving force’s seat is 10-way powered.
Non-compulsory SV Look Package deal: fog lights, auto-dimming rearview mirror with common storage door opener, an influence liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/60R20 all-season tires.
SL
The SL rides on 20-inch, machine-finished, aluminum-alloy wheels fitted with 275/60R20 BSW all-season tires. It features a 13-speaker Bose Audio System, Clever Round View Monitor, push-button begin with a remote-start function, a power-sliding moonroof, and trailer sway management. The seats are leather-appointed. Every entrance seat is 10-way powered.
Non-compulsory Armada Midnight Version Package deal: This contains what Nissan calls “distinctive Midnight Version 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels” with 275/60R20 all-season tires. From there, the Midnight Version lives as much as its identify with quite a few blacked-out exterior components: mirrors, grille, roof rails, rear LED lamps, entrance and rear skid plates, and the outside logos. It additionally features a black inside headliner, black inside trim, black leather-appointed seats, cargo mat, and Midnight Version flooring mats.
Non-compulsory Captain’s Chair Package deal: second-row captain’s chairs and second-row middle console with padded armrest (as famous above, seating goes from eight to seven passengers).
Platinum
The Platinum rides on 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels fitted with 275/60R20 BSW all-season tires. It features a household leisure middle with twin eight-inch headrest show screens and two pairs of wi-fi headphones. It additionally contains the 13-speaker Bose audio system and HDMI enter. Different tech options embrace an clever rearview mirror, wiper de-icer, entrance rain-sensing wipers, rear step lamp, Site visitors Signal Recognition, Clever Backup Collision Intervention, illuminated cupholders, and third-row energy recline and folding seats.
Non-compulsory Captain’s Chair Package deal: second-row captain’s chairs and second-row middle console with padded armrest (as famous above, seating goes from eight to seven passengers).
2021 Nissan Armada: Security options
The brand new Armada has many commonplace security applied sciences, together with Nissan Security Protect 360, and options like Clever Lane Intervention, Clever Ahead Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Intervention.
Neither the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) had posted crash take a look at scores for the 2021 Armada on the time of this writing.
Guarantee Protection
Each 2021 Nissan Armada comes with a three-year, 36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper guarantee and 5 years, 60,000 miles value of powertrain protection. Relying on how a lot you drive, a Nissan prolonged guarantee may be of profit to you.
2021 Nissan Armada: Pricing & Availability
On the time of this writing, pricing has not been introduced for the 2021 Nissan Armada. In response to Nissan, the brand new Armada can be arriving but this winter.
In case you are out there for a brand new Armada, this free and useful search instrument* will present you vendor stock in your space. That instrument can even provide help to safe the bill value, which is useful to have in case you are negotiating with the dealership.
Nancy Dunham is a life-long journalist whose work seems in lots of nationwide automotive and normal curiosity magazines and accompanying web sites. Her dad was an govt with Western Auto Provide Co. (offered to Sears), so the scent of tires nonetheless brings again a flood of childhood reminiscences. She lives in Austin, Texas together with her cat Prudence.
2021 Nissan Armada Gallery
Pictures & Supply: Nissan North America.
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