Nissan’s biggest SUV, the 2025 Nissan Armada, has finally stepped into the spotlight after years of lagging behind its full-size competitors. Thanks to a major redesign and several engineering upgrades, the new Armada is now a far more serious player in the jumbo SUV segment, enough to make rivals take notice, even if it didn’t quite earn a finalist spot in MotorTrend’s 2026 SUV of the Year testing.

Biggest Change: A New Twin-Turbo V-6 With More Power

For 2025, Nissan made a bold move by retiring the Armada’s longtime V-8 engine and replacing it with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6. On paper, the change is impressive; the new engine produces 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more than the old V-8 delivered.

Test drivers reported no shortage of power, and the SUV accelerates confidently in highway merging, towing, and everyday driving. Strangely, despite the boost in horsepower and torque, the vehicle’s real-world acceleration is only slightly improved over its previous performance. Fuel economy also sees only minor improvement, landing at an EPA-rated 15/18/16 mpg.

Still, for drivers who want the feel of a V-8 but the efficiency of a modern V-6, this engine offers the best of both worlds. See more photos

Ride Quality: Strong Structure, but Rough on Bad Roads

The 2025 Armada continues to use body-on-frame construction, but Nissan has stiffened and refined the structure enough that it almost feels like a unibody SUV. This gives it a solid, confident feel on the road.

However, ride comfort remains an issue. Even with the air-suspension system equipped on the off-road-focused Pro-4X model, rough pavement can make the ride feel bumpy and unsettled. Handling also remains somewhat sloppy, especially compared to more modern, road-focused competitors.

Interior Experience: Comfortable Up Front, Tight in the Back

Inside the cabin, the Armada stays conservative in layout but offers a premium feel, especially in the higher trims. The dashboard features a wide digital display for both the instrument cluster and infotainment system, though many of the controls remain button-based rather than fully touch-sensitive.

The first two rows offer plenty of space and comfort, with the second row being especially roomy. Unfortunately, the third row remains cramped, making it suitable mainly for kids or short trips. The surrounding trim and materials in the back row also feel cheaper, hinting that Nissan doesn’t expect adults to use that area often.

Off-Road Ability: The Pro-4X Is More Than an Appearance Package

Nissan sent the Armada Pro-4X for testing, and it proved to be a genuinely capable off-road SUV, not just a cosmetic upgrade. The trim adds:

• Locking rear differential
  
• Height-adjustable air suspension
  
• Underbody skidplates
  
• Off-road-oriented tires
  
• Multiple terrain modes controlled through a simple rotary dial
  

On MotorTrend’s off-road course, the Armada handled obstacles with ease and confidence, making it a solid choice for families wanting real off-road capability without going all the way to a hardcore model.

Still the Cheapest Among Big SUVs

One major advantage the Armada continues to hold is price. Even though the margin is shrinking, the 2025 Armada remains the least expensive full-size SUV in its class. For buyers looking for maximum space and power without breaking the bank, this is a strong selling point.

Why It Didn’t Become a Finalist

The new Armada is an undeniably better, stronger engine, nicer interior, and far more capable. However, it fell short in MotorTrend’s finalist rankings due to a lack of groundbreaking innovation. At the same time, Ford pushed new technology in the Expedition; some of those features affected usability. Nissan took a safer, more conservative approach.

In other words, the Armada is not the most advanced, but it is one of the most solid, capable, and best-priced full-size SUVs.

2025 Nissan Armada Pro-4X: Key Specifications

• Base Price: $75,750
  
• Price as Tested: $80,980
  
• Layout: Front-engine, 4WD, 8-passenger
  
• Engine: 3.5L twin-turbo V-6
  
• Horsepower: 425 hp @ 5,600 rpm
  
• Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
  
• Transmission: 9-speed automatic
  
• Curb Weight: 6,106 lbs
  
• EPA Fuel Economy: 15/18/16 mpg
  
• 0–60 mph: 6.3 seconds
  
• Quarter Mile: 14.8 seconds @ 95.5 mph
  
• Braking 60–0 mph: 112 ft
  
• Lateral Acceleration: 0.77 g
  
• Figure-Eight Lap: 28.1 sec

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