When size matters, there’s no beating a spacious full-size SUV like the Nissan Armada. With seating for eight and some of the best cargo room in its class, the Armada is a versatile SUV that’ll never ask you to compromise when it comes to interior space. These attributes and Nissan’s reputation for quality construction and engineering have made the Armada a popular choice for growing families who appreciate the model’s clever design and slate of available infotainment, driver assistance, and safety technologies.
The Armada also provides exceptional bang for the buck. The automaker rolled out a new entry-level option in 2021 in the form of the Armada S, giving drivers seeking a Nissan Armada for sale a wallet-friendly trim that offers a notable value in a traditionally expensive segment. In addition to its modest starting price, the Armada is also affordable to keep on the road and has been named the SUV with the lowest five-year ownership costs by Kelley Blue Book.
That’s not to say that the Armada is a low-budget SUV by any means. The SUV shares a platform and parent company with the Infiniti QX80. Although it costs some $20,000 less than its luxury counterpart, there are some definite similarities when sitting behind the wheel. As you move from the entry-level S trim to the SV, SL, Midnight Edition, and top-tier Platinum, the Armada blossoms from a no-nonsense family vehicle into one of the most luxurious full-size SUVs in its price range. Let’s take a look at the highlights of each of these trims and see which version of the 2023 Nissan Armada fits your unique driving needs.
The Armada S
When shopping in the full-size SUV segment, power is always an important consideration. The 2023 Armada might tip the scales at more than 6,000 lbs in its heaviest guise, but Nissan has drivers covered with an equally beefy 5.6-liter V8 that gives the SUV an impressive 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, a 10 hp increase over the 2020 models thanks to the 2021 refresh from Nissan. That’s enough power to provide the SUV with an impressive towing capacity of 8,500 lbs which, while it’s not what usually draws buyers to this family-focused segment, is surely a nice bonus. Riding on a fully independent suspension, the Nissan Armada also provides a pleasant, responsive ride, which is never guaranteed in the full-size segment.
The base S trim also excels in in-vehicle technology, boasting a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. These displays have become a major selling point for many drivers, so it’s nice to see Nissan include such a generous display as a standard feature instead of asking drivers to fork over additional cash. The infotainment display is the gateway to the Armada’s arsenal of entertainment and driver safety tech, allowing drivers to easily access features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, GPS, hands-free calling, and more.
The touchscreen display is also notable for what it doesn’t include, namely, the climate controls. If you ask us, too many automakers have gone a little touchscreen wild, moving almost every vital feature onto touchscreens over recent years. That’s fine in theory, but these touchscreen systems can be slow to respond, which can lead to frustration when you’re just trying to crank the AC on a hot day. The Aramada’s dual-zone climate controls are fully independent of the touchscreen system, allowing drivers to quickly adjust temperature settings without having to wade through digital menus.
The Armada SV
For a modest hike in price, the Armada SV delivers a generous selection of convenience and entertainment features that start to show the SUV’s full potential. Don’t believe us? Just take a listen. The SUV’s four-speaker stereo system is replaced with a six-speaker option, ensuring solid audio fidelity throughout the massive cabin. The SV also boasts a wireless charging pad which, as anyone who’s ever spent time digging around for a charging cable will know, is the very definition of tech luxury. The SV rounds out its impressive technology suite with Alexa Built-In functionality and a HomeLink Universal Transceiver, allowing drivers to control garage doors, security systems, and more without ever leaving the driver’s seat.
But it’s not just technology that sets the SV apart. The trim also adds rear privacy glass, leatherette upholstered seats that are heated in the front, as well as a trailer brake controller, roof rails, body-colored side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, and a new Aspen White Tricoat exterior paint option. Adding the SV’s Appearance package throws in 20-inch alloy wheels, all-season tires, and LED fog lights, as well as an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a power liftgate.
Like the S trim, the SV also comes with Nissan’s available Intelligent 4×4 system. The innovative system essentially predicts the cornering line a vehicle will take, automatically correcting the way torque is distributed to the front and rear wheels to smooth cornering in even the most challenging road conditions. By monitoring the driver’s steering wheel inputs as well as a built-in yaw rate and vehicle G sensors, the Intelligent 4×4 system can shift between 100 to 50 percent of the Armada’s torque to the front wheel.
The Armada SL
If you’re looking to get the most out of the Armada’s 8,500-pound towing capacity, the SL trim is the logical choice. Starting at $58,670, the trim package adds the aforementioned Appearance package, as well as a host of towing-focused features that’ll make your Armada feel more like a full-fledged work truck. The key feature here is the SL’s Trailer Sway Control, which improves stability and control when you’ve got a heavy load latched onto the trailer hitch. If not properly controlled, trailer sway can quickly turn from a small nuisance into a serious risk factor, but Nissan’s Trailer Sway Control technology does away with all that. The system uses a network of sensors to sense any sway, automatically applying the brakes when necessary to eliminate sway before it can grow into a bigger issue.
Of course, towing can be a hassle before you even begin to hit highway speeds. Attaching a trailer can often feel like an impossible task, forcing drivers to slowly maneuver back and forth to make the connection. Nissan has engineered around this age-old issue thanks to some cutting-edge technology with a 360-degree Around View Monitor that gives drivers a bird’s-eye view of the area around the vehicle. You’ll never have to worry about hooking up a trailer, parking, or hard-to-see obstacles with the Around View Monitor, which splices together the feeds from multiple cameras to deliver a handy perspective for all things towing-related.
In addition to the tow-ready tech, the Armada SL also adds a host of features that go a long way in upping the luxury factor, from upholstered leather seats and remote engine start to a power moonroof, 120-volt outlet, and a 13-speaker Bose premium sound system. Additional packages allow drivers to add second-row captain’s chairs and a center console or black the Armada out with the Midnight Edition. The moody appearance package graces the Armada SL with a black grille and bumper, along with black mirrors, roof rails, badging, interior trim, headliner, and more.
The Armada Platinum
If you’re the type of driver who will settle for nothing less than the best, the Armada Platinum is the trim for you. While not technically a luxury vehicle, you’d be hard-pressed to find any significant differences between the Armada Platinum and some other full-size luxury SUVs on the market, except when it comes to the price. It has all the comfort features one would expect in a luxury SUV, from a heated steering wheel and rain-sensing, de-icing wipers to heated front and rear seats wrapped in quilted leather.
One-touch power-folding rear seats make accessing the back row as easy as touching a button, which can come in handy when you’re struggling to load in struggling kids with an armful of groceries. Speaking of kids, you might start to forget they’re even back there with the Platinum’s available tri-zone entertainment system, wireless headsets, and HDMI input, which transform the Armada into a veritable entertainment center on wheels.
When it comes to safety, the Armada is well-equipped at every level thanks to the inclusion of Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 technology, but the Platinum trim unlocks a few clever features you won’t find on the lower trims. These include traffic sign recognition, which uses the SUV’s high-definition cameras to read oncoming traffic signs and pass any relevant information along to the driver. Can’t remember the last time you saw a speed limit sign? Just check the digital multi-information gauge display, and you’ll see it displayed in real-time.
The SL also throws Intelligent Backup Collision Intervention into the mix, which uses audio and visual cues to alert drivers to vehicles that might be passing behind or to the side of the Armada. If the driver doesn’t take action, the system can jump into action, applying the brakes in order to prevent an imminent collision.
Power and Luxury at an Affordable Price
The 2023 Nissan Armada is one of the most well-rounded models in the full-size SUV segment, giving drivers all the power, cargo room, and comfort they want while providing exceptional value. With a variety of options to choose from, it’s easy to customize the Armada to fit your needs and budget. Each Armada trim adds something new to the mix, from the new and affordable S trim with its powerful 5.6-liter V8 to the tow-ready SL, refined Platinum, and stylish Midnight Edition.
The Armada also boasts some of the lowest five-year ownership costs in its segment, meaning that the SUV isn’t only a value on the day of purchase but will continue to keep your wallet happy for the years to come. Whether you’re looking for a reliable family hauler, borderliner luxury SUV, or surprisingly capable towing machine, the 2023 Nissan Armada has you covered.
