2018 Nissan Armada

You should buy the 2018 Nissan Armada SL trim but you need to upgrade to the Premium package as the trims as such lacks basic safety features. This trim adds a power liftgate, power-folding third-row seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, leather upholstery, 20-inch alloy wheels, and heated exterior mirrors, all for the price of $50,850. The optional Premium package adds blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and a power moonroof with front tilt and rear slide.

With extra standard tech features this year, the Armada’s base SV trim increases in price to $46,090- CarGurus

With the addition of the Platinum, the total trim count of the 2018 Nissan Armada is three. The other trims include SV and the SL. The SV starts from $46,090 and it ranges up to $59,190 for the top-end Platinum trim. A destination charge of $1,195 is applicable at the time of purchase. Both RWD and 4WD configurations are available on the Armada.

There is more than enough equipment to keep most families including the parents happy about driving. Nissan also offers a few optional packages for selected trims. The base SV trim is eligible for the $600 Driver package that adds fog lamps, trailer towing harness, power liftgate, trailer brake controller, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage door opener, and power-folding third-row seats.

In normal operation, the 5.6-liter engine is strong and quick, emitting a V-8 burble under moderate acceleration- Cars.com

The Nissan Armada gets its power from a 5.6L V8 engine that makes 390 hp and 394 lb-ft. of torque. All that power is sent to a 7-speed automatic transmission which goes about its business quickly. All this power drives the rear wheels as standard but a full-time 4WD system is available on every Armada for an extra $2,900. This engine has an amazing throttle response and the sound of the V8 is just alluring. One of the nicest things about the transmission is it actually has auto rev-matching downshift. So, when you do ask for more power, you get a nice, smooth power delivery. But sometimes, this transmission hard shifts at low speeds and judders.

The Nissan Armada propels pretty well for an SUV that weighs 5,276 pounds. The 2018 Armada can sprint from 0-60 MPH in 6.2 seconds and can complete the quarter-mile test in 14.8 seconds with a top speed of 135 MPH. The grunty V8 is always ready to deliver smooth power whenever needed, therefore making it possible for brisk acceleration.

Unlike some other modern SUVs which have some aspirations of handling well and kind of sticking in the corners, the Armada feels old-school. It means it's just big and floaty. The Armada corners pretty decently for its size but still, at high speeds, you will feel all the bodyweight. The Nissan Armada is one of the comfiest SUVs on the market. The suspension is nice and soft and that equals a very comfortable ride. The steering in the Armada is quite light there's really no feedback coming through the wheel. The Armada isn't a hardcore off-roader but when you look at it for what it is, it does a pretty good job.

The Nissan Armada continues to outshine with its excellent braking performance. The wheels hide 13.8-inch ventilated disc brakes, both in the front and at the back. These brakes work in unison to bring this heavy SUV to a smooth stop from 60 MPH in 128 feet. Every Nissan Armada comes standard with a tow hitch and is capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds. It isn't at the top of any trailering ability but it will certainly tow a lot of boats, recreational vehicles, or even a race car trailer. So, apart from a family hauler and an off-roader, the Armada can also haul large loads with ease.

Around 6,000 pounds is a lot to lug around, so it’s no surprise that the 2018 Nissan Armada is among the thirstiest vehicles on the market today- The Car Connection

The 2018 Nissan Armada has one of the worst fuel economies in its segment. In normal form, the 2018 Armada returns 14 MPG in the city, 19 MPG on a highway, and 16 MPG combined. The fuel economy slides down 1 MPG if the 4WD system is selected. These fuel estimates put the Armada at the bottom of the table in its segment.

The Armada comes with a large 26-gallon fuel tank and hence, it delivers 429 miles in combined form while the 4WD models can drive up to 403 miles only. Compared to its rivals, the Armada's driving range is average. So, if you plan on buying the Armada, you better be ready to bring this SUV to the gas station all the time.

Despite its tall entry height and button-rich control layout, the Armada's interior is attractive and accommodating- Edmunds

While the 2018 Nissan Armada might not be quite as posh as its Infiniti counterpart, the wood trim and the leather accent gets you just about 80% of the way to a luxury wheel. Still, the hard steering wheel plastics do call out as a mainstream vehicle. The Armada seats up to eight or seven if second-row captain chairs are selected. Only the Armada SV trim gets cloth upholstery while the other models come with perforated leather seats. The front seats are very comfortable and supportive.

They are power-adjustable and heated even on the SV trim while the Platinum trim also adds ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. There is a lot of legroom and loads of headroom for the driver and front passenger. The second-row fares nearly as well and the third row is plenty usable even if it is slightly less comfortable for adults than in the other chairs.  Therefore, it is best reserved for kids. A moonroof is standard on the Platinum model but that does not cut the headroom.

For such a big vehicle, the Nissan Armada's cargo area is surprisingly petite. A dedicated cargo space of 16.5 cubic feet is available. So, if you need more space, you're going to have to fold the third-row seats to get 49.9 cubic feet. If you are still not satisfied, fold the second-row seats as well to get 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

This is the area where the Nissan Armada really shows its age. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard on all models. But this touchscreen doesn't have normal functionalities such as pinch-to-zoom or even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are becoming expected in all segments. This screen has low resolution and the graphics are unclear. The navigation system takes time to respond to the user's inputs.

This system is connected to a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system for keeping your journeys entertained. The grey physical buttons below the screen look cheap and ugly next to the wood trim. But all those controls are nicely placed within the driver's reach. The Platinum and Platinum Reserve models add a rear-seat entertainment system that includes dual 7-inch displays and a DVD player.

Rugged yet sophisticated, the Armada’s new design evokes the luxury-meets-utilitarian style of its Infiniti QX80 sibling and even some Range Rovers- Kelly Blue Book

The 2018 Nissan Armada's exterior styling is somewhat similar to the Infiniti QX80. The grille is Nissan's V-motion design with two extra areas on the outside that link it to the Titan. The headlight design is also exclusive to the Armada. They feature LED low beams with halogen high beams on all models. Every trim also gets premium-looking LED DRLs. Fog lamps are, however, standard on all trims except for the SV trim. Since the Armada shares its bones with the overseas Patrol, it gets some good off-roading features like a ground clearance of 9.1 inches.

From the side view, you will notice that the wheel arches are grey-colored on all models. There are also functional air vents above the front wheel arch. The SV trim sits on 18-inch all wheels while the other trims get 20-inch alloy wheels. Each trim level of the Armada comes with a different design. The Armada also comes standard with running boards for easy egress and ingress. Coming to the back, you will see styling different from the boxy design rivals have. The taillights are LED on all models.

The Toyota Sequoia has the highest ground clearance in this class. Therefore, it is ready to tackle any kind of off-road terrain. At 210 inches, the Ford Expedition is the longest SUV in this competition. So, maneuvering at tight parking spots can be tough. The Chevy Tahoe has the shortest wheelbase here. As a result, it lacks adequate third-row space.

The main exterior features of the Armada are given below:

• LED headlights and taillights
• Fog lights
• Exterior entry lights
• Front skid plate
• Power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior mirrors
• Chrome door handles
• Metallic grille with chrome surround
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Running boards
• Chrome window trim
• 18 & 20-inch alloy wheels

The 2018 Nissan Armada hasn't been crash-tested by the  IIHS- MotorTrend

The safety ratings obtained by the 2018 Nissan Armada aren't that impressive. It received a 4-star overall safety rating by NHTSA. Individually, it received five stars for the side-impact crash test and only three stars for the frontal and rollover crash test. Meanwhile, IIHS didn't care to conduct crash tests for the Armada.

To keep the occupants safe, the Armada offers a decent list of driver assistance features. The base Armada SV trim has limited safety features while the Platinum and Platinum Reserve trims add all the available driver aids.  The SL trim buyers should upgrade to the optional Premium package for a few safety techs.

The safety features include:

• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Automatic emergency braking
• Front & rear parking sensors
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning 
• Lane keep assist
• 360-degree camera
• Backup collision intervention
• Distance control

2018 Nissan Armada vs 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevy Tahoe is among the least powerful SUVs in its class. Hence, its performance is not worth appreciating. Also, its third row cannot accommodate adults. However, it's a step ahead of the Armada in terms of fuel economy, reliability, and technology. In view of safety, the Tahoe's safety features list almost matches with the Armada.

2018 Nissan Armada vs 2018 Toyota Sequoia

Although the Toyota Sequoia is less powerful, it outshines the Armada with its extraordinary off-roading skills. However, its towing capacity is very less for a large SUV while its fuel economy is poor. The Sequoia has a roomy third row and class-leading cargo space but an outdated infotainment system. There are fewer driver-assist features in the Sequoia but all of them are standard.

The 2018 Nissan Armada is one of the fine options in this segment but it has its cup of negatives. This is a thirsty vehicle so don't expect to get off the light when it comes to filling up the fuel. It also has a slightly bulked-up exterior styling and the infotainment system is dated and in dire need of an upgrade. Therefore, you should take a look at the 2018 Armada if you want a big three-row, feature-rich SUV at somewhat of a bargain price. It's tough, it'll haul your boat and your kids and it'll stand out from the crowd, for better or for worse.