2025 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is giving its popular domestic full-size SUV rivals a run for their money with a significant redesign for 2025. A new turbocharged V6 under the hood makes more power and torque than the old V8 and matches its towing capacity. Meanwhile, the fancier and roomier cabin is loaded with the latest technologies like wireless smartphone connectivity and available hands-free driving. The new Nissan Armada is a serious contender for a do-it-all rig that can haul the whole family and their gear while towing up to 8,500 pounds.

The Nissan Armada is fully redesigned for 2025. The most notable updates are the modern new look, a turbocharged V6 engine replacing the outgoing V8, and two new trims: PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve. As you may have guessed from the names, PRO-4X is a rugged off-roader, and Platinum Reserve is the top luxury trim.

Sometimes, a full-size SUV doesn’t feel all that full-size on the inside, but the Nissan Armada’s redesign brings more passenger and cargo space than the outgoing generation. Front-row legroom is up 4.2 inches, and third-row passengers get a significant 5.7 inches of extra legroom. Also, the cargo room behind the third row is up 24%.

Some of the Armada’s technology was starting to feel dated, and that’s been remedied with the new 2025 model, which has standard 12.3-inch dual displays for the infotainment system and gauge cluster. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay also come standard. Available tech features include 14.3-inch displays, Google built-in, a Klipsch 12-speaker audio system, Invisible Hood View, and the ProPILOT Assist 2.1 system, allowing hands-free driving on highways mapped by Nissan.

Historically, the SL trim has been the heart of the Armada lineup. With two new trims in the model range, that sales leader could be knocked off its perch.

The Armada remains a bit of a bargain among full-size SUVs. In fact, Armada’s starting price beats every other SUV in its class. If you can make do with something smaller, the 3-row midsize Nissan Pathfinder starts at around $19,000 less.

Before buying a Nissan Armada, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Nissan Armada resale values have traditionally been below average for the segment. Recouping more of your vehicle’s new-car sales price means having more to put down on your next vehicle.

The 2025 Nissan Armada is powered by a 425-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine matched with a 9-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). This engine makes more power and torque than the V8 in the previous generation of the Armada.

We were impressed when we tested the 2025 Nissan Armada and didn’t miss the old V8, even when we towed a camper with it. The extra power and torque are noticeable with energetic power delivery that’s smooth on the highway. Speaking of smooth, we were impressed with the Armada’s new adaptive suspension system that underpins the PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve trims. There’s minimal roll in tight turns and hardly any nosedive effect in hard braking, making this big SUV feel very stable.

One of the new Armada features we’re most excited about is ProPILOT Assist 2.1. This option allows for hands-off driving on highways mapped by Nissan. It keeps you safely in your lane at a safe distance from the car in front of you; all you need to do is stay alert with your eyes on the road. The hands-free functionality works well, and Nissan estimates about 200,000 miles of North American highways are mapped, which is less than GM’s Super Cruise system available in the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon.

Fuel Economy

We expect the EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings for the Nissan Armada to be the same as the Infiniti QX80 with the same engine. The Infiniti is rated at 20 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 19 mpg with 4-wheel drive.

That’s only a slight improvement over the old V8 and would still make the Armada the least efficient SUV in its class. In their most efficient configurations, the 6-cylinder Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer, the hybrid Toyota Sequoia, and the Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon with the available diesel engine can do better.

We admit that we always found the interior space of the previous-generation Nissan Armada disappointing, especially in the third row and cargo area. We must not have been the only ones because Nissan made the Armada’s interior quite a bit roomier with the 2025 redesign. We climbed in the third row and were pleasantly surprised with an extra 5.7 inches of legroom compared to the past models, but found the headroom a little tight for adults. There’s also more legroom in the first row and 24% more cargo space behind the third row. The passenger space is good, but it’s still not as roomy as American rivals.

When we got behind the wheel of the Armada, we were also impressed with the technology and overall quality. Cabin materials and overall fit-and-finish are decidedly upmarket, especially in the Infiniti-like Platinum Reserve trim. At the top trim level, you get luxuries like heated, power-reclining third-row seats, a second-row center console, and what Nissan calls Biometric Cooling, which can detect overheated passengers in the first and second rows and direct more cool air toward them.

Standard dual 12.3-inch displays deliver information to the driver, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard. An immersive Klipsch premium audio system is standard on all but the base trim and the screens can get even bigger to 14.3 inches each. We were pleased with the ergonomic layout of the controls, but we’re not big fans of the horizontally oriented gearshift buttons by the center console. Maybe the available massaging seats and quilted leather will make us forget about them.

The new Nissan Armada has a boxy, adventurous design and higher ground clearance, which is functional when driving on rough terrain, whether a rocky trail or a snowy road. We like the distinct light signature (especially with the optional full-width LED taillamp) and the two-tone roof treatment on the three upper trims.

Rugged PRO-4X model
We’ve been impressed with Nissan pickup trucks that have worn the PRO-4X badge, and now the Armada gets its own dedicated off-road trim. In addition to standard 4-wheel drive, it has all-terrain tires, eight drive modes, an electronic locking rear differential, Invisible Hood View, and a functional appearance package with real skid plates and a more favorable approach angle.

Fancy Platinum Reserve trim
If you’ll drive your Armada to charity galas more often than trailheads, then the Platinum Reserve model may be more to your taste. This new luxury trim borrows some features and technology from the Infiniti QX80, including quilted leather massaging seats, Adaptive Electronic Air Suspension, 22-inch wheels, and an available Klipsch audio system.

Hands-free driving
The Nissan Armada joins a growing number of full-size SUVs offering hands-free driving on select highways. With the available ProPILOT Assist 2.1 system, you can take your hands off the wheel on over 200,000 miles of U.S. highways.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
We always love to see wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard for easy smartphone connectivity for maps, music, and more.

Towing talent
The new turbo V6 in the Nissan Armada has the same maximum towing capacity as the outgoing V8: 8,500 pounds. That makes this rig suitable for towing a wide range of toys, from boats to campers and more.

Plenty of room
The old Armada was a bit unforgiving to third-row passengers, but the way back gets an extra 5.7 inches of legroom with the new 2025 model, plus more cargo space to boot.

Goodbye V8, hello turbo V6. The new standard engine powering the Nissan Armada is a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 rated at 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s more power and torque than the V8 in older models, yet this new engine still achieves the same max tow rating of 8,500 pounds. Power is routed to either the rear or all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The Nissan Armada is backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. This warranty coverage is average for this class.

Safety

The 2025 Nissan Armada hasn’t been evaluated yet by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but we know it comes well-equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.