Using more than a few items from the Infiniti QX80 toolbox, Nissan has rolled out a fresh Armada complete with turbo V6 power and a new PRO-4X trim.
Under the hood is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with a rated 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both of those figures outstrip the old 5.6L V8 engine, particularly the twist which is over a hundred lb-ft more than last year. A nine-speed automatic is paired with the mill; American customers can select rear-wheel drive variants but other markets, such as Canada, are 4×4 only. Towing prowess tops out at 8,500 pounds and, showing it’s serious, some trims can be equipped with a trailer brake controller.
Speaking of trims, the new PRO-4X piques our interest, particularly since it is more than a cynical paint-and-wallpaper effort. Shod with all-terrain rubber, the model gets an electronic locking rear diff and adaptive air suspension which permits drivers to jack the Armada to a notable 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Unique front styling offers up an approach angle of 33.0 degrees while a raft of drive modes could permit a level of off-road grunt not common in this class. We’ll find out when we drive it.
An interior revamp takes much from the QX80, which is a good thing. Some trims, such as the PRO-4X, get twin 14.3-inch screens which can be paired to display a widescreen ‘invisible hood’ view in order to pick one’s way over an obstacle – or around it as the case maybe. Numerous real buttons and dials are welcomed in an era where many vehicles funnel the majority of their controls through a screen. The likes of massaging seats are available, as are second row buckets in place of the bench shown here.
Cabin space is up from last year as well, with Nissan saying front row legroom is up by 4.2 inches while third-row occupants will apparently enjoy up to 5.7 inches more space for their legs. Cargo room behind the third row increases by nearly a quarter, or nearly 4 cubic feet, to 20.4 cubes. An available 12-speaker audio system from an American company called Klipsch is on tap; if it sounds anything like the one we sampled in a QX80 then we can confidently say it’s worth the cash.
Nissan expects the Armada to appear in showrooms before the end of this year.
[Images: Nissan]
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