The Surprisingly Elegant New V8 SUV You Probably Haven’t Considered

It is difficult to dispute how popular SUVs have become over the years. Manufacturers are producing more and more of them, and they are beginning to go electric as well. It is difficult to ignore that, but one that gets very little attention is the 2023 Nissan Armada. Nissan’s flagship body-on-frame SUV might be lagging behind rivals in some ways, but it’s something that deserves a lot more attention than it gets because it still has quite a few good points.

The powertrain, its luxury features, strong towing capacity and good comfort levels all help it stand its grand in 2023. It has its downsides such as poor gas mileage and an outdated interior. But the 2023 Nissan Armada is still a solid SUV.

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What The Armada Has To Offer In 2023

2023 Nissan Armada Engine Specs

First of all, the Armada has a lot to offer simply in the depth and breath of its range. There are now less than ten trim levels for the SUV ranging from the Aramada Platinum four-wheel drive to the base version, the Armada S two-wheel drive. Each edition of the Armada comes with a very strong powertrain, notably the 5.6-liter direct injection 32-valve V8 engine. It’s a powerful engine too, with 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough for most people’s daily needs.

Not every SUV can boast a big V8 engine, but the Armada certainly can. When it comes to the towing capacity of the Armada, it might surprise you just how strong it is. With the advanced hitch ball mount for heavy cargo bought as an $84 option, the Armada has a hugely impressive towing capacity of 5,000 lbs. The hitch ball attachment for $32 allows for 5,000 lbs as well, while you can also get a hitch cap added to help protect the two-hitch receiver when it is not in use. This is a $16 option for the Armada. That towing capacity is certainly very capable.

With plenty of power and towing capacity however comes plenty of comfort and luxury too. The size of the SUV is impressive, with comfortable seating for up to eight people inside the Armada. The third row comes with standard but comfortable seating, while the first and second rows have luxury leather applied for even more comfort. If you want yet more comfort and luxury, the Captain’s Chairs package offers a second row padded center console with cupholders with fold-down Captain’s Chairs in that second row. These chairs give passengers a little more room with that extra central storage.

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Luxury Features Add To The Nissan Armada’s Comfort

The 2023 Nissan Armada comes with plenty of luxury even in its standard trim. The heated steering wheel is a great touch, helping keep hands warm on those winter mornings. The climate control extends to all three rows, so those sitting in the back will feel as cool as those in the front of the SUV. Driver memory system syncs up with the Nissan Intelligent Key, allowing the driver to have their preferred seating, steering wheel, and mirror positions memorized. If you share the Armada then good news, because it will sync up to multiple keys to remember various settings.

The level of luxury extends the further up the trim levels we go. The 2023 Nissan Armada Platinum is the highest trim level for the 2023 Armada, and it comes with a few extra features. The Nissan Armada Platinum has 22-inch 14-spoke forged aluminum alloy wheels, creating a more menacing and aggressive look for the SUV. Quilted leather is on the first and second row of seats as standard, while the front seats come with their own climate control to heat them up and cool them down.

One other advantage of the Platinum trim is its tri-zone entertainment system. As the name suggests, it means infotainment can extend to all three rows of seating meaning those at the back are not left out. Dual eight-inch monitors, remote control two wireless headphones as well as USB and HDMI inputs allow for a lot of connectivity. With the amount of space to play with in the Armada it makes sense to have plenty of entertainment for the passengers. As a standard interior color, the Quilted Almond leather upholstery is available for the Platinum trim level, as is the Quilted Espresso Brown and the Quilted Black.

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Where The 2023 Nissan Armada Falls Short Of Its Rivals

Now it is time to discuss the Nissan Armada MPG. Because this is one area in which the big Nissan falls short compared to other SUVs. That big V8 engine is a thirsty one, and the EPA estimates that the rear-wheel drive version of the 2023 Armada returns just 14 MPG in the city, and 19 MPG on the highway. The four-wheel drive version of the Armada does not fair much better, with its combined rating at 15 MPG, while the city rating is 13 MPG.

One of the Armada’s key rivals is the 2023 Toyota Sequoia which has an EPA combined rating of 22 MPG, while the Chevrolet Tahoe has a 17 MPG combined EPA rating. The GMC Yukon with its 6.2-liter V8 engine blows the Armada out of the water thanks to its 23 MPG combined EPA rating and its 21 MPG city rating. Even the large Chevrolet Suburban does a better job when it comes to fuel economy thanks to the 21 MPG city rating and its 27 MPG rating on the highway.

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The Armada’s Interior Also lets It Down

Another aspect where the Armada falls short is the interior. While it provides plenty of space, it’s a little outdated thanks to the colors chosen by Nissan, the overall layout and the slightly lackluster materials on places such as the center console and the doors. In the midst of complete digital gauge clusters, the Armada’s digital MID flanked by analog gauges seem outdated. Although one positive is the physical switches and dials for climate control other vehicle functions. Given this generation of Armada has been in production since 2016, that probably is little surprise.

Despite that though, the 2023 Armada still has a lot of going for it. There is plenty of room, a big powerful engine to get you going and a surprising level of comfort within the interior. It is perhaps time the big SUV had a refresh, but despite that, it is still an SUV that those looking for such a vehicle should check out.

Sources: Nissan, Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC