The new frame is said to have 25 percent greater torsional rigidity than the last-generation SUV, providing a strong foundation that benefits ride quality and supports the Armada’s first-ever PRO-4X trim—a full-featured and fortified off-road package akin to what is offered on the company’s pickup trucks. (Starting at $73,740, the PRO-4X includes adaptive air suspension, electronic locking rear differential, all-terrain tires on 20-inch wheels, underbody skid plates, and a front fascia shaped to aid approach angles.)
All versions use a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Total output is 425 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque granting the new Armada an advantage of 25 horsepower and 103 lb.-ft. compared with the V8 in the outgoing Armada.
Numerous active safety features are standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and more.
There are three levels of driver assistance, starting with ProPilot Assist on the SV and PRO-4X with adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance. The SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve are fitted with ProPilot Assist 1.1 featuring proactive speed adjustments based on navigation information. Then there is the optional ProPilot Assist 2.1, available on SL and Platinum Reserve, which allows for hands-free driving on highways.
Clearly, the Armada has a lot going on. To assess this new vehicle, we rented an admiral-class Platinum Reserve from Nissan and purchased an SL, which is representative of the version most customers are expected to buy.
If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Nissan Armada is available to you below. We’ll put the Nissan Armada we purchased through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including empirical measurements of acceleration, braking, handling, car seat fit, and usability. CR members will have access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.
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What we rented: 2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve 4WD
Powertrain: 425-hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine; 9-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel drive
MSRP: $79,990
Options: ProPilot Assist 2.1 Package ($2,900), two-tone premium paint ($990), splash guards ($400), floor and cargo mats ($550).
Destination fee: $2,010
Total cost: $86,840
Assembly point: Kyushu, Japan
What we bought: 2025 Nissan Armada SL 4WD
Powertrain: 425-hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine; 9-speed automatic transmission; four-wheel drive
MSRP: $65,970
Options: ProPilot Assist 2.1 Package ($3,370), captain’s chair seat package ($750), cross bars ($560), floor and cargo mats ($550), illuminated kick plates ($450), premium paint ($425), splash guards ($400), convenience package ($370), rear bumper protector ($300).
Destination fee: $2,010
Total cost: $75,155
Assembly point: Kyushu, Japan
