Driving Impressions: 2019 Nissan Armada SV 4WD

By: Mark Moskowitz MD

Do you typically transport more than four others? Or lots of stuff? Need truck like tow capabilities? Travel frequently off road? Want that extra layer of safety that size seems to offer? You may scoff but look closely at the NHSTA safety standards. A car earns its frontal crash rating stars by surviving crashes with vehicles of its same weight (+/- 250 lbs.).

Lots of affirmatives? You may be looking for a big car. Nissan's Armada is big. It looks big. It stands 75.8 inches tall requiring standard side rails for easy entry. Formed panels give the impression of massive bumpers front and rear. Despite subtle sculpturing, its sides look like slabs enhancing its bulk.

It's big on the inside as well. The dashboard is huge. And front and mid row seating is generous and supportive. Separate climate controls and large vents make the rear cabin hospitable. Third row entry is easy. A lever on the backs of the middle seats causes them to fold forward flush with fronts and there's no need to adjust the headrests to accomplish this. The rear seat backs are powered forward for cargo or back for comfort and room. This set up in the Platinum editions (middle seat folded) leaves third row seat occupants with an in-car theatre where they can recline, stretch out their feet and watch the paired screens behind the front seat. I found sliding across the seats hampered by the velour like fabric surfaces of this base model.

Infotainment system included Nav and was easy to use. And there's plenty of functions within: performance meters measure g-forces, fuel mileage, and steering wheel angle and even a compass is readily available. You just have to find them. Fortunately, the trip odometer has analogue function and responds to dash button activation. Picking nits, I never could find that one spot where the phone could lay flat.

I have driven more than 1000 miles in Armadas. It's stable at speed and in crosswinds. Quiet, too. There's minimal body lean when curves are approached sanely. It softens bumps without ruffling the riders. Steering is direct and seems in sync with the SUV in the parking lot and around town; the steering wheel experiences excess resistance at turnpike speeds.

And there's power aplenty. The ipad recorded zero to 60 time of 6.5 seconds. The fuel injected DOHC four valves per cylinder V-8 mated to a 7-speed automatic is always there when you need it and shows no signs of strain towing 8500 pounds.

Driving Impressions recommends the Armada. We'd like to see a bit better gas mileage but it's often the sacrifice for size. The base SV 2wd model lists for $47,100 which seems to be the least expensive entry point into the large size class. Surprising standard features include a Bose Premium Audio System with 13 speakers, a tow hitch, adaptive cruise control, power folding side view mirrors, 10-way power driver's seat and 8- way power passenger's seat, one setting seat heaters, intelligent cruise control and automatic emergency braking – three years before it becomes an industry standard.

Four -wheel drive adds $3000 to the base price. Platinum and Platinum Reserve models are the top of the line models. We would opt for the SL version which starts at $51900 and includes leather seating, remote start, power liftgate, 20 -inch wheels, trailer wiring, and Intelligent Around View Monitoring, a must in cars of this size. Blind spot monitoring can be added but only as part of a $1480 Premium package which includes a moonroof and Intelligent Back Up Intervention.

Platinum Pictures Below

fog lights, power third row split seats, powerlift gate, trailer wiring performance

Photo credit: Mark Mark Moskowitz MD

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