And Yet …

Problem is, without any extra torque down low, you only really feel most of what the Armada NISMO offers at higher speeds, and with the brakes you have at your disposal, attempting to use that power can become an exercise in frustration. Also, initial wow factor notwithstanding, at just under $82,000 to start, there are many other options in the three-row SUV segment, including the ordinary Armada, which starts at about $20,000 less and really doesn’t give up much to the NISMO spec. As an amusing one-off that’s more about performance looks than actual performance, it succeeds. But ultimately, it’s a vehicle that borrows heavily from tradition without adding much to it.

But Is It Fun?

Back to our original question: Is this thing fun? Well, hardcore NISMO fans or anybody interested in an Armada with a little extra flavor will probably think it is. All that red gingerbread and all those NISMO callouts will certainly get you noticed, and it’s undeniably amusing to scoot around in a huge SUV that accelerates, handles, and steers as well as this one does. With 8,500 pounds of towing capacity, it could be the perfect rig with which to tug a more traditional NISMO car to the track, which is indeed how Nissan has depicted it in some recent advertising. It may not be a world-beater, but there’s definitely fun to be had with the 2026 Nissan Armada NISMO. Just take it easy on those brakes.

2026 Nissan Armada NISMO Specifications
BASE PRICE	$81,720
PRICE AS TESTED	$83,735
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, 4WD, 7-pass, 5-door internal combustion SUV
POWERTRAIN	3.5L twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC 24-valve V-6
POWER	460 hp @ 5,600 rpm
TORQUE	516 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
TRANSMISSION	9-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	5,997 lb (52/48%)
WHEELBASE	121.1 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	210.9 x 83.3 x 76.6 in
TIRES	Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S 275/50R22 111H M+S
EPA FUEL ECONOMY, CITY/HWY/COMBINED	16/19/17 mpg
EPA RANGE	401 mi
ON SALE	Now
MotorTrend Test Results
0-60 MPH	6.2 sec
QUARTER MILE	14.6 sec @ 97.5 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	120 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.76 g
FIGURE-EIGHT LAP	27.4 sec @ 0.66 g (avg)