It's a big deal when a car company introduces a new version of its flagship SUV, and that's why the launch of the all-new 2025 Nissan Armada is a significant move for the Japanese automaker. Moving into its third generation, the Armada resides at the top of Nissan's SUV lineup, a step up in size and capability from the midsize Pathfinder.
Nissan invited me to Franklin, Tennessee (just outside Nashville) to spend time with its new full-size SUV. With its more powerful engine, wholly revamped interior, and new high-tech features, Nissan elevates the Armada to a new level, making it much more competitive with rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The 2025 Armada also gets a new Pro-4X trim level, adding off-road capability to the big SUV's lineup.
Photo: Perry Stern
Nissan offers the 2025 Armada in five trims: SV, SL, Platinum, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve; the final two are new for the 2025 model year. The Pro-4X comes standard with four-wheel drive (4WD), while the rest of the lineup gets rear-wheel drive with the option of upgrading to 4WD. Prices start around $59,000 and range up to around $82,000.
For this review, Nissan provided a 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve 4WD painted in the new Deep Ocean Blue Pearl color. Options on this test vehicle included ProPilot Assist 2.1 and carpeted floor mats for an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $85,450, including the $2,010 destination charge to ship the SUV from its Kyushu Plant in Yukuhashi, Japan.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2025 Nissan Armada is easy to spot, sporting a more chiseled appearance with a bold new grille and stylish LED headlights and running lights. An LED light bar across the hood line and below the rear window gives the Armada a modern look; it especially stands out at night. Large wheels and a unique up-kick of the belt line at the vehicle's rear with a prominent Armada nameplate complete the look.
The fresh look continues into the cabin, where a large horizontal screen incorporating the dual 14.3-inch displays (gauge cluster and infotainment system) greets you. Physical controls for climate and vehicle functions are easily accessible in a stylish panel below the screen, where I was pleased to see there's still a volume knob. A new push-button gear selector is at the bottom of the panel.
Front seat passengers will find plenty of storage in the center console with large cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and a sizable bin under the armrest. The additional space below can easily fit a large bag or purse, with large bottle holders in the doors.
My top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve test vehicle featured the quilted leather interior trim, which adds a high level of elegance to the cabin, almost on par with the Armada’s cousin, the luxurious Infiniti QX80. Front seats are Nissan's Zero Gravity design, and with multiple power adjustments, massage function, heating, and ventilation, they are among the most comfortable seats I've experienced.
Second-row seats are available as a bench (eight-passenger seating) or captain's chairs (seven passengers); the latter is standard on the Platinum Reserve. There's plenty of legroom and headroom, and the heated seats make the second row almost as nice as the seats up front. There are also multiple USB ports and a center console with cupholders and additional storage.
Access to the third row is easy thanks to the quick fold-and-slide function of the second row seats. With almost five additional inches of legroom compared with the outgoing Armada, the third row is usable for adults, although three across might get a bit cramped. If second row passengers feel generous, their seats slide forward to give the rearmost occupants additional space.
The 2025 Nissan Armada also gets more cargo space, offering a useful 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row. Folding the third row expands the space to 56.3 cubic feet. With all seats folded, there are 97.1 cubic feet of space with a flat surface all the way to the back of the front seats.
Photo: Perry Stern
The Nissan Armada gets a new Google-based infotainment system for the 2025 model year on all but the base level SV trim. With the new setup, customers have access to the popular Google Maps app as the native navigation system and the Google Assistant voice interface. Additional apps like Spotify or Waze are available through the Google Play Store.
With the large 14.3-inch touchscreen display and intuitive navigation, the new system is straightforward. The natural voice interface is especially impressive. Not only can it make phone calls or set a destination in the navigation system, but it also can provide information. I asked if I would need an umbrella that day, and the reply was that I would, as rain was in the forecast.
In addition to its high-tech infotainment system, the Armada comes standard with a long list of advanced driver assistance systems. Nissan offers ProPilot Assist 2.1, the brand's semi-autonomous driving system, which is available for the first time on the Armada.
ProPilot Assist 2.1 allows hands-free driving on select limited access multi-lane highways in the United States (except Hawaii and Alaska), incorporating adaptive cruise control and lane centering assistance. One of these roads is I-840, outside of Franklin, TN, where I got to experience the latest ProPilot Assist for myself.
Setting the adaptive cruise control to 70 mph, I activated the system via steering wheel controls, and a blue indicator lit up in the driver's display, letting me know that I could let go of the steering wheel. The system delivered a confident ride, maintaining speed, distance to the car ahead, and staying centered in the lane. The system will also change lanes when the driver activates the turn signal, but this function requires putting a hand on the steering wheel.
It may not work on as many roads (yet) as GM's Super Cruise or Ford's BlueCruise, but ProPilot Assist 2.1 is a nice step up for Nissan.
Photo: Perry Stern
The 2025 Nissan Armada comes standard with a new twin turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 engine that puts out 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This new engine represents a healthy increase in power over the outgoing V8. At the time of writing, the Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have fuel economy estimates for the 2025 Armada. However, the test vehicle’s trip computer indicated an average of 18.8 mpg during my drive.
It may be a big, heavy SUV, but the Armada's new powertrain performs quite well. With strong acceleration, the Armada can quickly move across a busy intersection or overtake a slower vehicle on a two-lane country road. The nine speed automatic transmission responds quickly to deliver smooth shifts up or down. I found the power to be more than adequate, even when towing a 6,000 pound Airstream trailer.
The 2025 Armada benefits from a new, stiffer chassis and available air suspension. Those updates pay dividends when it comes to improved driving dynamics. Heading north on the winding back roads around Franklin, TN, the Armada delivered surprisingly good handling with quick steering response and minimal body roll.
Leaving behind the back roads, I returned to the city on the Interstate, where the Armada showed its prowess as an ideal road trip vehicle. Cruising at 70 mph feels effortless, and the air suspension does a great job of keeping the ride smooth and stable. There is some road noise at higher speeds, but it's barely noticeable, especially with tunes playing on the high-end Klipsch audio system.
The Nissan Armada has always been able to handle some off-pavement excursions. However, for 2025, the big SUV is properly set up for off-road adventures with the new Pro-4X treatment. Off-road tires are standard, as is an electronic-locking rear differential, 9.6 inches of ground clearance, and a unique front fascia that is stylish and functional, allowing for a better approach angle.
I put the new Pro-4X through its paces on a custom off-road course, and while the conditions were slippery, the big SUV showed it could handle challenging terrain.
With fresh styling, a high-tech cabin, and improved driving dynamics, the new 2025 Nissan Armada is a vast improvement over the model it replaces. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, and with its powerful new turbocharged engine, the Armada brings all the utility expected of a fullsize SUV. While it may never sell at the level of established rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition, the updates to the Armada for the 2025 model year make it a stronger competitor.
Perry Stern has worked in the automotive industry for over 30 years and has always been a car enthusiast. Driving almost every new car on the market, Perry has written for multiple publications in addition to his work for JDPower.com. Recently relocated to southeast Michigan, Perry is still crazy about cars, especially his 2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
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