2018 Nissan Armada Expert Review
Reviewed by Stefan Ogbac
The 2018 Nissan Armada gets a rearview mirror with an LCD camera as standard (if rear visibility is blocked by cargo or passengers, a digital screen fills the rearview mirror's display to show what's behind the vehicle).
Vehicle Summary
Slotting above the three-row Pathfinder, the 2018 Nissan Armada is the brand's flagship SUV and is closely related to the global-market Patrol and the outgoing Infiniti QX80. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional. The Armada can seat up to eight passengers in its standard configuration or seven with the optional second-row captain's chairs.
Overview
All 2018 Nissan Armadas are powered by a 5.6-liter V-8 with 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy ratings are 14/19 mpg city/highway for rear-drive models and 13/18 mpg with four-wheel drive. When properly equipped, the Armada can tow up to 8,500 pounds. The Armada has 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.4 cubic feet behind the front seats.
Standard features on the base SV trim include the NissanConnect infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, navigation, keyless entry/start, dual-zone climate control, remote start, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview camera, eight-way power adjustable heated front seats with driver memory, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding second and third rows, a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, USB ports, LED low-beam headlights, parking sensors, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Higher trim levels add leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, second-row captain's chairs, a power liftgate, an entertainment system, and Nissan's Around View Monitor multi-camera visibility system.
Safety
The 2018 Nissan Armada hasn't been crash tested by the NHTSA and IIHS. Active safety features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, rear automatic emergency braking, and Moving Object Detection are available on the SL trim as part of the Technology package and standard on the range-topping Platinum grade.
What We Think <p/>
In a 2017 First Test review, we said that the V-8 provides prodigious power and doesn't feel tasked with hauling the Armada around even with the optional four-wheel-drive system. The seven-speed automatic has good logic and quick shifts, and at higher speeds, keeps revs under 2,000 rpm. Even with the optional 20-inch alloy wheels, the Armada rides well but its handling is sloppy due to excessive body roll and numb steering. The interior is nearly similar to the one found in the more expensive Infiniti QX80, meaning it's built well with high quality materials all around. However, the third row seats are cramped.
