2025 Nissan Armada

Nissan Armada Hands-On Test Drive

• Trim Tested: Armada PRO-4X

• Price as Tested: $80,445 (including destination charge)

How It Drives & Handles

The last generation of Nissan’s largest SUV had been around for quite a while, starting back in 2017. For 2025, this behemoth has gotten a redesign, in all the best ways. We test-drove the PRO-4X version, which is the off-road trim. Personally, I wouldn’t feel safe taking something this large and ungainly off the pavement, but then what do I know?

I’ve long been a fan of the Armada; although it’s quite large, it’s about as comfy a family-hauler as one can get, and I’ve driven the family a good distance in earlier versions. The new version is still fun to drive, albeit it’s a lot like handling a luxury yacht. There’s impressive acceleration and a soft, absorbent ride. The twin-turbo V6 engine creates an impressive 425 horsepower and puts them to good use, and the gear shifts are remarkably smooth.

But all that power comes at a cost: The Armada PRO-4X gets just 16 mpg in combined city and highway driving, according to the EPA. That’s among the worst fuel efficiency ratings in the U.S. today.

The Armada is very tall in the PRO-4X version and it handles kinda like a big ship, too. This is the weakest part of the Armada’s game, which is not surprising for a 3-row SUV that rides this tall, long and heavy. Body lean keeps drivers from getting too adventurous and, although the steering is better than it used to be, it’s still a little light to the touch. And drivers will want to get some practice time in parking lots to account for the large size of the vehicle.

Comfort, Quality & Usability

Because the PRO-4X version of the Armada is meant for off-roading, it sits higher than the typical version. Thankfully, there’s both a dedicated set of running boards along each side and easy-to-reach handholds just inside the front doors, which made it easy for even my diminutive wife to climb inside.

Once there, it’s clear that Nissan has dramatically updated not only the feel of the Armada, but the infotainment touchscreen, as well. It’s now well-integrated into the dash, very visually appealing, and intuitive to use. The materials throughout the cabin are top-notch and soft-touch, creating a very premium feel for this SUV.

Seats in the front two rows are very plush, supportive, and comfortable on long road trips. The third row has gotten more legroom than earlier versions and can handle adults, for shorter trips, at least.

One of the cooler tech elements in the revamped Armada is the storage well where a smartphone can be charged. It’s just to the right of the driver, and it means the smartphone won’t be flopping around, disconnecting and reconnecting with the charger; gravity takes over and the charger does the rest.

I’m less enamored with the climate controls. To change the interior temp, drivers and passengers must use a toggle switch, which is never the easiest way; a rotary dial is much easier and requires less time looking away from the road. Additionally, users must go through the touchscreen to find the air-conditioning on/off button, which is unnecessarily convoluted.

The gear selector is a group of 4 plastic buttons to the right of the driver. I get that this approach saves space for other things, but it’s a clunky compromise when almost all the other controls seem thoughtful and advanced.

There is a rotary dial for drivers to select which driving mode they want, including settings for snow, open highway, and the like. But somehow, I suspect that most drivers will set it on the default setting and never touch it.

Carfax vehicle reviews let shoppers compare a vehicle’s specs against its competitors’. However, some aspects of a vehicle — performance, comfort, usability — can only be evaluated through actual driving. That’s why we evaluate as many vehicles as we can, so you’ll know what to expect.

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