5 REASONS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW NISSAN ARMADA

Infiniti recently introduced the all-new QX80, which gives us some insight into what to expect from the next-generation Nissan Armada, as the two vehicles have shared a platform in recent years, and very often, what happens to one has an impact on the other. That's not our only source of information, however. Over the last year, several Nissan executives and even dealers have revealed details about the successor to the aging SUV.

Sadly, the new Armada won't stick to the same formula as the model we've come to know and love. Since its introduction in 2004, it has always been a more affordable version of the equivalent Infiniti while still using the trustworthy and powerful 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8.

Just look at the most recent pricing for proof. An entry-level SV with 4WD costs roughly $55,000, while the outgoing base-spec QX80 starts at $75,000. Sure, the latter is more luxurious, but $20k is a huge pile of cash for what is effectively the same car. We'll miss the "cheap" Nissan Armada when it's gone, but here are five things we can look forward to on the new model.

Dropping The V8 For Some Turbo Torque

We could see this one coming long before Nissan's global head of product strategy confirmed it late last year. "I think customers, the moment they drive a twin-turbo V6, they discover a new universe. The capability, the performance, the acceleration, the power delivery - the customer will smile, I'm sure of it," said Ivan Espinosa.

This is hardly a surprise as almost every manufacturer has dropped its lumpish V8s in favor of a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine. Toyota replaced its big V8 with a twin-turbocharged V6, while Stellantis replaced its entire range of V8s with the new Hurricane twin-turbocharged inline-six. The Nissan Armada will share its new powertrain with the twin-turbo V6 that made its debut in the 2025 Infiniti QX80.

Luckily, this new twin-turbocharged V6 engine comes from the same family of engines as the Nissan GT-R. In fact, it has more torque than any of its siblings, including the 3.8-liter twin-turbo in Nissan's also aging supercar. It's a smaller 3.5-liter unit that has been tuned for low-down torque and not straight-line speed. Claimed fuel consumption figures are obviously not available yet, but it's bound to do better than the 5.6-liter 400-horsepower V8, which consumed 16 mpg on the combined cycle. Despite the downsizing, the next-generation Armada will match the current model's 8,500-pound towing capacity, which is the same as the all-new QX80. For a full comparison of the new engine compared to the old, check out the table below.

It's Going To Be Much Bigger

The new QX80 uses the same platform as before, but the body is much bigger. If you look at the outgoing QX80, its size is on par with the current Armada, so we expect the Armada to receive the same growth spurt. This will sort out one of the main criticisms we have concerning the current model. The third-row seats are small and poorly designed, and you lose a lot of trunk space when they're folded up. Looking at images of the new QX80's interior, it's clear the designers put more effort into ensuring everyone is more comfortable back there.

The New Armada Is Going Upmarket

Late in 2023, Nissan previewed the upcoming Armada to its dealers at a meeting in Las Vegas. The dealers later described the SUV they saw as "Range Rover-like," also stating that it's much bigger and more rugged. This matches up with the size comparison above. Range Rover-like could mean multiple things, however. The new QX80 is quite out there design-wise, so Nissan could differentiate the Armada by making it more elegant. Or it could mean the next-gen Armada will be more luxurious and will inherit a lot more from the Infiniti QX80 than its powertrain.

A More User-Friendly Interior

The QX80 debuted the new InTouch infotainment system with Google built-in with Google Assistance, Google Play, and Google Maps. Naturally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still standard, but these systems will eventually be replaced with Google's in-car software. Not only is the voice recognition far superior to anything else out there, but owners also get access to the Google Play Store, where they can download apps to make their lives easier. Examples include Waze, Zoom (for meetings on the go), your favorite podcast or music streaming app, and even streaming services that will help you pass the time while your significant other is shopping up a storm in Target.

It Might Still Be Relatively Affordable

The all-new QX80 debuted with several interesting technologies. The Dynamic Digital Suspension can monitor the road ahead and prepare the air suspension for any upcoming bumps or imperfections. The rear light bar has more than 300 LED lights, but the rear tech fest is on the inside. There's laser etched material, 64-color interior ambient lighting, dual screens, and high-end Klipsch Reference Premiere audio systems. Other cool features include the Biometric Cooling, which uses infrared sensors to detect when a second-row passenger is getting too hot.

These are all items Nissan can rename and add to the options list, bringing the price down. Nissan can also equip the car with a good old-fashioned steel suspension and bring the cost down even more. While the Armada is moving more upmarket, the Nissan mothership will still want to keep a clear distinction between the two models, especially now that the QX80 has been confirmed as a halo model.

2024-04-17T12:21:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd