Used 2020 Nissan Armada

The 2020 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV with three rows of seating that can accommodate up to eight occupants. Its body-on-frame construction is old-school but effective, contributing to a skill set that includes some real off-road talent in all-wheel-drive form and the capacity to tow a substantial 8,500 pounds.

Rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia have the same kind of construction and offer similar abilities, but the Armada has the most powerful engine of the bunch. It also reaches Infiniti (Nissan’s luxury division) heights of luxuriousness in its plushest model (Platinum Reserve), while even the entry-level (SV) still comes well equipped.

Be aware that fuel economy is not a strong point, nor is the Armada a resale-values champ.

On the plus side, the 2020 Armada is roomy and quiet, at least in the first two seating rows. The subdued-yet-thrilling rumble of the muscular V8 adds to the eager anticipation of road trips, as long as the distances between gas stations are not too great.

The front seats are well cushioned and pleasantly supportive, making long stints behind the wheel bearable. And overall comfort is improved by the availability of a heated steering wheel and cooled front seats.

The automatic transmission does its job efficiently and all-wheel-drive versions have a low gearing range for optimum off-road ability, which is enhanced by a useful ground clearance of 9.1 inches.

On the minus side, the Armada’s considerable size can be a liability around town. City streets are often rougher, exposing limitations in the Armada’s suspension setup. This is also when the steering might feel heavy to some.

After climbing into the raised driving position, then adjusting the seat and steering column (there’s a wide range of movement, so most people should find their ideal setup with ease), it quickly becomes apparent that the large glass areas give the Nissan Armada superb outward vision.

Changing the focus to inside the cabin, the quality of materials, wood trim, substantial-feeling switchgear, and excellent general fit and finish put the Armada almost in the same league as its luxury Infiniti counterpart.

Behind the third row is 16.5 cubic feet of cargo area. This expands first to 49.9 and then a maximum of 95.4 cubic feet when both the second and third rows are folded.

This is Nissan’s largest SUV, and it’s pretty chunky, upright and tall. That’s part of its charm.

The entry-level Armada rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, which is fine, but the 20-inch versions in the higher trims look more appropriate (even if they do have a slightly adverse effect on ride quality).

This model year now brings the option of 22-inch wheels. Think long and hard about how much ride comfort can be sacrificed in the quest to look cool.

INTELLIGENT AROUND-VIEW MONITOR
This kind of feature is often found in luxury vehicles. It’s a) really helpful and b) kind of cool to have a camera system that does so much more than provide a rearward-looking aspect. Drivers get a full 360-degree picture plus a bird’s-eye view. Standard in the SL and above.

SECOND-ROW CAPTAIN’S CHAIRS
For those families and/or businesses that can sacrifice one seating space, selecting the optional pair of captain’s chairs brings far more comfort to the second row while improving access to the third row. At $450, it’s a reasonably priced extra, but only available in the SL/Platinum (standard in the Platinum Reserve version).

The 2020 Nissan Armada full-size SUV comes in SV, SL, Platinum and Platinum Reserve trim levels. The SV comes with a 14-speaker Bose audio system, navigation, 8-inch infotainment touch screen, hands-free text-messaging assistance, keyless entry/ignition, front/rear parking sensors, heated side mirrors, forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and Rear Door Alert (see the Safety section below).

The SL trim kicks off with 20-inch alloy wheels, adds a power tailgate, fog lights, puddle lights, self-dimming mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. The Platinum has a heated steering wheel, rear-seat entertainment system, 360-degree camera system, and an intelligent rearview mirror displaying the feed from the rear-facing camera.

All-wheel drive is available in every version of the 2020 Armada.

SV models are eligible for fog lights, self-dimming rearview mirror with universal garage-door opener, power tailgate, power-folding 60/40-split/fold 3rd-row seats, and a trailer package.

The SL may be optioned with blind-spot monitoring, power moonroof, Intelligent Distance Control/Back-up Intervention, and 2nd-row captain’s chairs.

Platinum has virtually everything as standard, including leather upholstery, while Platinum Reserve has the captain’s chairs and some bespoke cosmetic touches.

Buyers may now choose 22-inch alloy wheels.

Compared with main rivals like the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia, the 2020 Armada has the most power, with 390 horsepower from a 5.6-liter V8. A 7-speed automatic transmission directs energy to the rear axle in standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) form or to both axles with the optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

It’s a strong and dependable drivetrain, but hardly thrifty with fuel, averaging around 15 mpg (AWD).

Maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds sounds impressive, but most rivals have the same kind of ability.

5.6-liter V8
390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
394 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/19 mpg (RWD), 13/18 mpg (4WD)