2020 Nissan Armada Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Nissan offers the Armada as an answer to other full-size 3-row traditional SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota...

Nissan offers the Armada as an answer to other full-size 3-row traditional SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia. Light updates are on the menu for 2020.

All Armadas come with a 5.6-liter V8 engine that makes 390 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque and connects to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but 4-wheel drive (4WD) with low and high-range gearing is optional. Both powertrains can tow as many as 8,500 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy for the Armada isn’t so great, at 14 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined with RWD and 13, 18, and 15 with 4WD.

Just like last year, SV, SL, and Platinum trims define the Armada’s lineup, although the Platinum is available with a Reserve package Nissan's website calls a separate trim. The SV bundles an excellent level of standard equipment: 18-inch alloy wheels, LED low-beam headlights, keyless access and start, seating for 8, 8-way power heated front seats, a 60/40 split-folding second row, a 60/40 split-folding third row, satellite radio, a Bose audio system with 13 speakers, an 8.0-inch infotainment system, navigation, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. Heated exterior mirrors are new for 2020.

The SL trim adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, remote start, and a power-folding third row. Available options include a sunroof and second-row captain’s chairs.

The Platinum comes with tinted 20-inch alloy wheels, heated and cooled front seats, a sunroof, and a rear entertainment system with dual 8-inch monitors, while second-row captain’s chairs are again optional. Twenty-two-inch wheels are a new extra-cost option.

Finally, selecting the Platinum Reserve nets you 22-inch alloy wheels, dark chrome exterior trim, two-tone leather upholstery with contrast stitching, second-row captain’s chairs, open-pore wood inlays, and exterior badging.

Standard safety equipment for all Armadas includes forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, a back-door alert, and a reversing camera. A surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic detection, parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking are optional. The Armada has not been given a comprehensive crash test, but the same is true of other large SUVs.