2005 Nissan Armada Review

The Nissan Armada is truly the workhorse of the full-size sport utility class. With its powerful V8 and substantial body-on-frame design, it can easily handle rugged off-road family camping, pull a big boat or horse trailer, or just haul the gymnastics team and gear in comfort.

The Armada is big. It's as big as a Ford Expedition, and it's longer than the Toyota Sequoia and Chevy Tahoe. Armada can easily accommodate seven or eight occupants on any adventure trip. The cabin is comfortable, convenient and nicely appointed. Three rows of seats are provided, with limo-like roominess in the second row. Nissan claims best-in-class rear legroom, and the back seat looks and feels roomier than the Expedition's, which isn't exactly cramped. Both rear rows fold flat giving the Armada enormous cargo capacity.

Armada is based on the Nissan Titan full-size pickup and comes equipped with a powerful V8 that betters its competition in horsepower and torque. Stand on the gas and Nissan's 5.6-liter engine delivers immediate throttle response and quick acceleration. Rated to tow up to 9,100 pounds, Armada boasts the best towing capability in its class. A smooth five-speed automatic transmission adds to the responsiveness of the 32-valve double overhead-cam V8.

Handling is impressive as well. The four-wheel independent suspension and rack-and-pinion steering give the Armada a direct and steady feel, whether cruising down the highway, hustling through the hills or parking in a crowded lot. Armada was designed in California and is built at Nissan's recently built $1.4 billion factory in Canton, Mississippi.

Introduced as a 2004 model, the Armada receives minor enhancements for 2005. Among them: availability of a power rear liftgate and an optional RearView Monitor that displays what's behind the vehicle on the navigation screen. New standard equipment includes driver and front-passenger active head restraints, seat belt pretensioners added to the first row; SE and LE models come with a higher level of standard equipment. Introduced as the Pathfinder Armada, it's now known simply as the Armada.

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.

Armada presents a bold and unmistakable appearance. It is big, but the design and styling features further emphasize its bulk and capabilities. Its wide stance and long wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs give Armada visual strength. Pushing the wheels out toward the corners of the truck makes for easier maneuverability in tight quarters as well as rock-solid stability on the highway.

Adding to the Armada's strong presence are its big chrome bumpers and big grille. The grille is body-colored on the SE, and chromed for even more visual strength on the LE. We think it looks best in chrome and makes for an imposing image in rearview mirrors.

From some angles, the Armada almost looks like a cartoon drawing. Large flared front and rear fenders accentuate the substantial wheels and high-profile tires. The rear door edge, extending in a bold rearward diagonal from the running board to the roof rack, makes a strong design statement, emphasizing the high roof line over the main passenger section. The rear-door handles are mounted on the C-pillar above the fenders instead of down on the door panel. The overall design gives the Armada a distinctively strong side view, like a football tackle poised at the line. 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 it is opened or closed. 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 Armada's wide stance are narrow shoulders that frame the vertically stacked tail lamps and a tall chromed center section of the rear bumper.