2026 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada doesn’t have the sales numbers of its American rivals in the full-size SUV class, but it makes a strong case as a capable and family-friendly rig. The wide variety in its model range includes the rugged PRO-4X model, the luxurious Platinum Reserve trim, and the sporty new NISMO variant. Meanwhile, the lower trims provide a strong value with lots of standard features at a reasonable price point. The Armada can tow 8,500 pounds, is available with hands-free highway driving, and is the only SUV in its class that earns the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ rating. It adds up to a practical and value-packed SUV that the whole family will enjoy.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size SUVs, including the 2026 Nissan Armada.

The first-ever Nissan Armada NISMO joins the lineup for 2026. The high-output tuning of its turbo V6 adds 35 horsepower, bringing its output to 460 hp. Other upgrades include a sporty appearance package inside and out with lots of red trim and sporty enhancements to the exhaust, steering, suspension, and tires.

On-Sale Date

The 2026 Nissan Armada will arrive in American dealerships in the this fall.

We expect the 2026 Nissan Armada to start at about $59,000. The Armada is historically priced on the lower side of full-size SUVs, and we expect that trend to continue. The luxurious Platinum Reserve trim could start as high as $80,000.

Before buying an Armada, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Nissan Armada resale value is okay, but it lags behind rivals from GM and Toyota. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Nissan Armada is powered by a 425-hp 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. Upgrading to the NISMO trim pumps up the horsepower rating to 460.

We were impressed when we tested this generation of the 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 and more than Ford’s BlueCruise.

Fuel Economy

The 2026 Nissan Armada returns up to 16 city/20 highway/18 combined mpg with rear-wheel drive and 16 city/19 highway/17 combined mpg with 4-wheel drive. Since premium gas is recommended, the turbo V6 in the Armada has the highest fuel costs of any base engine in this class. The standard V8 in the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon is a little less efficient, but since it runs on regular gas, it has lower EPA-estimated fuel costs.

The turbo 6-cylinder engines in the Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer are a little more efficient and also run on regular gas. Meanwhile, the hybrid Toyota Sequoia gets up to 22 combined mpg, and the diesel available in the Tahoe and Yukon gets up to 24 combined mpg.

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 its 2025 redesign, which carries over into 2026. 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 Nissan Armada has a boxy, adventurous design and tall 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 upper trims. Its aesthetic can range from rugged (PRO-4X) to sporty (NISMO) to fancy (Platinum Reserve).

Rugged PRO-4X model
We’ve been impressed with Nissan pickup trucks that have worn the PRO-4X badge, and now the Armada has 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.

NISMO model
The first-ever Armada NISMO joins the lineup for 2026, bringing sporty performance and aesthetics to this plus-size family SUV. It pumps out 460 hp and comes with performance upgrades to its suspension, steering, exhaust, and tires

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

The standard engine powering the Nissan Armada is a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 rated at 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. In the NISMO trim, it’s upgraded to 460 hp. That’s more power and torque than the V8 in older models, yet this 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.

Class-Leading Safety Scores

This generation of the Nissan Armada has earned the coveted Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Notably, it’s the only non-luxury model in the “Large SUV” category that earns this honor. It comes well equipped with standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.