by Tony C. Lesesne
EXTERIOR DESIGN
One look at the front of the Armada and you see that confident grille, chrome-framed and wide with lower corner adorned with fog lamps; the mirrors, trimmed with light and high-tech safety sensors; the elongated rear passenger windows and sleek, dark and unique with bold innovated lines – like a boomerang. The rear sits high and sporty, wide and sturdy. There’s the Platinum reserve badge, that’s the premium level – nice.
Elegance on any scene
DRIVE AND PERFORMANCE
Yes, there’s power under that hood; a 390-hp V-8 that feels strong and aggressive, yet comfortable and controlled. Some drivers have clocked the Armada from 0-60 in just 5.9 seconds. Can you digest that? By the way, a 22-inch Wheel package delivers stylish 22-inch wheels on all-season tires. A soft suspension makes the ride feel like your driving on pillows. The steering was amazingly responsive, although not tight and the brakes were sharp and crisp, surprisingly noticeable in the big SUV. It also has standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking as well as more optional driver assists. The Armada earned a four-star crash-test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and every model in the lineup has a number of driver assistance technology like forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. It can tow as much as 8500 pounds.
INTERIOR DESIGN
A living room on wheels, the Armada is comfortable and spacious inside. It’s quiet, with outside noise reduced to a minimum. The top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve model I tested has a two-toned color combo and elegantly designed quilted seats. The imitation wood trim works nicely The interior feel is classy with third-row legroom more than competitors with a total passenger space to accommodate up to eight and plenty of cargo space in the back to haul everyone’s stuff. The center console does the job and the Nissan adds a second-row center console with the optional captain’s chairs. Every Armada has a NissanConnect infotainment system with navigation, power outlets, and 13-speakers by Bose; one of the best in the sound business.. The standard 8.0-inch touchscreen responded slowly in our testing and lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. 360-degree camera system, leather upholstery, remote start, emergency braking, and sunroof) all add to the features that this big elegant SUV provides. The second-row captain’s chairs can fold easily and the power-folding third row can be adjusted with the touch of a button.
It feels like a living room.
THE VERDICT
There are several options and each has a different MSRP: The SV is priced at $48,495; while the SL is at $53,295, the Platinum at $61,925 and the Platinum Reserve that I tested is priced at : $65,925. The 2020 Nissan Armada has plenty to offer. This 3-ton Nissan drives like a smaller vehicle, and its standard V8 engine has plenty of power on tap. deliver a smoother ride and more consistent build quality across the lineup.