Used 2008 Nissan Armada

When it first debuted in 2004, full-size SUVs were all the rage and the Armada commanded a premium price. Fast-forward to 2008 and the looming specter of four-dollar-per-gallon gasoline has changed the landscape. Still, for those undaunted by $75 refills, the Armada has much to offer. It features a powerful V8 engine capable of running on regular gas or E85, a tow rating of up to 9,100 pounds and enough interior room to fit eight passengers and their luggage. The Armada’s unconventional styling may not be to everyone’s liking, but its long list of creature comforts and standard safety features are certainly attractive, as are Nissan’s enticing customer incentives.

On the road you’ll find the Armada behaves more like a midsize truck than the gargantuan SUV it really is. The steering feel is taut and the Armada’s short front-end makes it possible to maneuver around closer corners with confidence. So long as the road remains fairly smooth the Armada maintains a very livable ride, but upon the first encounter with large dips or shaky, uneven pavement, the Armada’s truck-oriented roots quickly become more evident. In any case, once you feel the power that the Armada’s standard 5.6-liter V8 provides, you’ll quickly forget any minor shudder or momentary vibration you’ve just encountered. With a whopping 317 horsepower on tap, the Armada does not lack for performance or towing power.

Nissan offers the spacious Armada with an excellent set of optional second-row captain’s chairs that are separated by a removable center console. With the console out, passengers are granted easy access to the third-row seat without having to disturb those already seated in the second row. The rear-most bench seat rests on an elevated platform that allows its occupants to see over the heads of those up front. With the seats folded, there is room for quite lengthy items of cargo, even with the rear hatch closed. Safety features include side-impact air bags covering all three rows.

The Armada is one of the most ornate SUVs we’ve seen. It has a raised roof, arched door frames and huge side fender flares. The rear-door handles are placed high up, making them difficult for small children to reach. Short front and rear overhangs make the Armada a bit easier to maneuver than some of its competition. The broad expanse of glass allows for good 360-degree visibility, and the big side mirrors do a good job revealing smaller objects near the Armada’s sides. On LE models, these same mirrors are available with power folding and auto-dimming features. The LE also comes with 20-inch wheels that look great but can be pricey if needing replacement.

Rear Seat Design
The Armada’s versatile rear-seat design includes fold-flat seats that create a level loading floor.

Standard Head-Curtain Airbags
The Armada’s standard head-curtain airbags cover all three rows of seating.

The Armada has a 317-horsepower V8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), front and rear air conditioning, floor- and ceiling-mounted consoles, Vehicle Dynamic Control, rear privacy glass, dual power heated outside mirrors, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, power-adjustable pedals, AM/FM stereo with six-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3 capability, front and rear head-curtain airbags (covering all three rows), running boards, eight-way power driver’s seat, cruise control, tire pressure monitor and a rear wiper/washer.

Options vary by trim and include four-wheel drive, rear-seat DVD entertainment, front side-impact airbags, heated leather steering wheel, Intelligent Key with twist start, navigation, RearView Monitor, power glass moon roof, heated leather seats, six-way power passenger seat, power folding 60/40 third-row seat, XM Satellite Radio, Bose audio and a tow package.

Nissan equipped the Armada with its most powerful V8 engine and the results are impressive. Tow rated at 9,100-pounds (with the available Tow Package), the Armada credits itself well in maximum towing capacity among lighter-duty, full-size SUVs.

5.6-liter V8
317 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
385 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 12/18 (Gasoline, 2WD), 12/17 (Gasoline, 4WD), 9/13 (E85, 2WD), 9/13 (E85, 4WD)