Standard safety equipment includes roof-mounted side-impact curtain airbags for all three rows, shoulder harnesses for all seating positions, Vehicle Dynamic Control (an electronic stability control system), and tire-pressure monitors. All models have power adjustable pedals and sonar-based rear proximity (park-assist) sensors. Armada comes standard with four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake Assist.
One of the first things you notice about the Nissan Armada is its gargantuan proportions. Nearly 207 inches long, Armada is a foot longer than the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. It's 3 inches longer than the Toyota Sequoia and an inch longer than the Ford Expedition.
The very first thing you notice about the Armada is its bold looks. Part of that is its size. Its wide stance and long wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs give it a look of strength. In other words, the wheels are pushed out toward the corners of the truck, making for easier maneuverability in tight quarters as well as rock-solid stability on the highway.
Adding to the Armada's bold presence are its big chrome bumpers. It's big grille is body-colored on the SE, chromed for even more visual strength on the LE. It makes for an imposing image in rear-view mirrors.
Viewed by some angles, the Armada almost looks like a cartoon drawing. The rear-door handles are mounted on the C-pillar instead of down on the door panel. Those rear doors are part of the design signature because instead of angling straight down or toward the rear of the vehicle, their rear edge is more of a dogleg that turns back toward the front of the car. The impression is to visually enhance the structure around the main passenger section and to give the Armada a distinctively strong side view. The standard running boards are a good feature because step-in height is 21 to 22.5 inches, depending on drivetrain and wheel size.
Viewed from the rear, the Armada has a wide rear window, which can be opened separately. The hatch is large, providing a big opening for loading or unloading cargo. Though large, the rear door feels light when opening or closing it. A power option allows the door to be opened or closed at the touch of a button on the key fob, useful when approaching with an armload of groceries on a rainy day. Enhancing the Armada's wide stance are narrow shoulders that frame the vertically stacked tail lamps and a tall chromed center section of the rear bumper.
As mentioned, the Armada is based on the Nissan Titan, a full-size pickup. For its part, the Titan is the first pickup from an import brand to go head-to-head against the full-size Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, and Chevrolet Silverado. (The Toyota Tundra is smaller and doesn't quite go head to head.)
The Armada interior is attractive, comfortable and convenient. There's a nice mix of materials. You won't find any fake wood-grain trim and the only chrome is the Nissan emblem at the center of the steering wheel. The Seton leather available on the Off-Road model is rich and luxurious and has a lot of texture that makes it interesting to look at.
The eight-way adjustable driver's seat is comfortable and supportive. Adjustable pedals and tilting steering wheel help ensure the proper driving position. We found the seats comfortable and liked the commanding view of the road. A two-piece sun visor keeps the sun off the eyes. The gauge package includes speedometer and tachometer, oil pressure, temperature, voltage and fuel gauges. Ordering the towing package adds a transmission temperature gauge.
There's plenty of places to put stuff. Opening the lid to the center console reveals a deep storage compartment. In front of that is a large open binnacle perfect for tossing stuff and it has an arm that swings out to secure a big water bottle. There are narrow storage channels along the sides of the center tunnel and more storage is found in the interior door panels and on top of the dashboard above the outer vents. The center console's well-designed cup holders are easy to access. Armada offers 14 cup holders and four of them are designed to hold 64-ouce beverage containers. A long, overhead console provides more storage and a pair of map lights. Three 12-volt outlets are provided, including one in the rear, and two of them provide power even when the engine is not running.
The Armada's back seats offer acres of space. Passengers in the second row enjoy a limo-like 42 inches of leg room. Families told Nissan they need more room in the second row that what's available in other full-size SUVs, so the Armada was designed with best-in-class rear legroom. The second-row seats recline so you can really stretch out. A choice of rear seats is available: a bench seat with a flip down armrest or captain's chairs with a large center console. Either way, the second-row seat feels significantly roomier than in the Ford Expedition and much roomier than in Tahoe, Yukon, and Sequoia.
