The 2025 Nissan Armada is a great family friendly road tripper, but despite the more-efficient new powertrain, it’s still quite thirsty.
For those who enjoy hitting the road with the kids as well as and the boat in tow, there’s nothing like a full-size SUV to handle the job. A pickup truck can also do the trick, but our belongings will be relegated to the cargo bed, which may not be the cleanest or driest place for that. The full-size, body-on-frame SUV segment is dominated by the American brands, as one might expect, but the 2025 Nissan Armada is also a player in the category, and it’s just been thoroughly redesigned.
Available in SL, Platinum, PRO-4X, Platinum Reserve and Platinum Reserve with Captain’s Chairs trim levels, the Armada gets fresh new exterior styling, an overhauled cabin, modernized on-board tech, and a new powertrain. According to Nissan, the SUV rides on a new frame boasting 25% stiffer torsional rigidity and 57% greater lateral stiffness, which typically have a positive effect on ride quality, handling and cabin quietness. The power steering system is now electrically assisted instead of the outgoing generation’s hydraulic setup.
The new engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 that develops 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission. 4WD is standard in Canada. The Armada’s output best those of most rivals, such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, the base Ford Expedition, the GMC Yukon and the Jeep Wagoneer, although the Toyota Sequoia’s hybrid powertrain is more muscular, and the GMC Hummer EV SUV is in a world of its own. The outgoing Armada’s 5.6L V8 and seven-speed gearbox offered 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet, so lots more torque despite the new engine’s smaller displacement. Towing capacity is rated at 8,500 pounds or 3,856 kilograms, same as before.
Here are the 2025 Nissan Armada fuel economy ratings, and we’ll note that premium fuel is recommended, but not required.
| Trim Level | City/Highway/Combined L/100 km |
| SL, Platinum, Platinum Reserve | 14.7 / 12.4 / 13.7 |
| PRO-4X | 15.7 / 12.9 / 14.4 |
While the Armada’s lineup obviously gets incremental levels of features, the PRO-4X stands out as the off-road focused variant of the bunch. It’s equipped with an electronic locking rear differential, an air suspension, a unique front bumper with an improved approach angle, fender flares, underbody skid plates, 275/60R20 all-terrain tires as well as exclusive interior and exterior styling and furnishings. Who actually goes off-roading with such a gargantuan vehicle is anyone’s guess, and any Armada variant can hit a cottage trail without a hitch, but it’s nice to know that the PRO-4X is slightly more capable if that’s what we’re looking for.
Standard features in the 2025 Nissan Armada include a 20-inch wheels, power-folding and heated outside mirrors, roof rails, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, front and rear park sonar, an intelligent key with remote engine start, an Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View camera system, three-zone climate control, eight-passenger seating, power-adjustable steering column, a heated steering wheel, TailorFit synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a 6-way power front passenger seat, heated front seats, power-folding third-row seatbacks, a Kilpsch 12-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital driver instrument cluster, NissanConnect services with a multi-year trial period, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, SiriusXM with 360L (subscription required) and the usual suite of advanced drive assist systems.
The PRO-4X adds the off-road focused features mentioned above, plus leather with quilted inserts and stitching, 12-way power front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, 14.3-inch infotainment and driver screens, a dash cam and a surround-view camera system, while the Platinum upgrades to a hands-free power liftgate, quilter leather upholstery, an in-car camera system and heated wiper park.
The Platinum Reserve variants also benefit from 22-inch wheels, massaging front seats as well as the ProPILOT Assist 2.1 semi-autonomous drive system—the other trim levels get the slightly less-capable ProPILOT Assist 1.1. The PRO-4X and Platinum Reserve also get an adaptive air suspension and a trailer brake controller, and the Platinum Reserve can also be fitted with second-row captain’s chairs for seven-passenger seating.
Pricing for the 2025 Nissan Armada starts at $87,093 in Canada, freight and delivery charges included, and climbs to $108,393. Nissan Canada also mentions $621 in dealer fees on its website. The U.S.-market Armada is priced from $59,530 to $86,650.
Why You Should Buy a 2025 Nissan Armada
- The Armada is powerful and quick, with its generous torque peak and more standard horsepower than before. Repeat buyers may miss the old V8’s burble, but the force-fed V6 doesn’t sound bad, either, in addition to being more fuel-efficient. Nissan also aligns its SUV’s powertrain with those of almost all its rivals, as only the GM models are still powered by V8 engines.
- Aside from the base SL trim, the Armada’s cabin is luxurious enough that stepping up to the Infiniti QX80, the Nissan’s posher corporate cousin, may seem unnecessary for some body-on-frame SUV buyers. Fit and finish is swell, and a cut above the brand’s more affordable products.
- Road trips will be most enjoyable in the Armada with a good amount of space in all three rows, along with plenty of storage points, eight cupholders and four bottle holders, and six USB-C ports to keep everyone’s devices juiced up. Access to the third row is facilitated by easy-to-slide second-row seats. The Klipsch audio system sounds pretty good, too.
- The Armada’s towing capacity is pretty high, allowing us to haul a large travel trailer or a huge boat—the kind of recreational vehicles that unibody crossovers just can’t handle. The Nissan’s cargo area can also carry up to 578 litres (20.4 cubic feet) of gear with the third row upright, up to 1,594 litres (56.3 cubic feet) with the third row folded down, and up to 2,750 litres (97.1 cubic feet) behind the first row. As versatility goes, full-size SUVs are tough to beat, and in that regards, the Armada has the abilities to measure up to the competition.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy a 2025 Nissan Armada
- As we’ve mentioned earlier, fuel economy has improved, thanks to the new six-cylinder engine in the latest, third-generation Armada, and during our test, we maintained an average of 12.6 L/100 km, below the SUV’s combined rating of 13.7 L/100 km. However, the Sequoia with its hybrid powertrain, the Wagoneer and the Expedition boast lower fuel consumption ratings than the Nissan. The Tahoe and Yukon guzzle down fuel at a higher rated when equipped with their V8 engines, but they’re also available with a segment-exclusive diesel engine that provides a class-leading combined rating of 10.7 L/100 km. Simply put, the Armada isn’t a gas hog, but it could do better.
- Headroom aboard the Armada ranks dead last in its segment. The second- and third-row seatback angles can be adjusted, so it’s still possible to avoid our heads scraping the headliner, but this normally shouldn’t be a sticking point in a full-size SUV.
- The Armada’s ride is stiff around town, inflicting its occupants with head toss motions over uneven surfaces. This despite the air suspension. We could blame the Platinum Reserve’s 22-inch wheels and thinner-sidewalled 275/50R22 tires, but the Nissan should offer a cushier ride. It’s better on the highway.
- Armada owners looking to trade in their old SUV for a new one might get sticker shock. The 2025 model’s $87k-$107k price range in Canada is way above the 2024 model’s $75k-$84K range. True, we get a vehicle that’s improved in many ways, but that’s a tough pill to swallow. For those who are wondering if Canada-USA import tariffs have anything to do with the increase, the Armada is built in Japan. On the other hand, Nissan’s rivals are all in the same price range, so it’s simply catching up.
Should You Buy a 2025 Nissan Armada?
Well, it depends on what we’re looking for. The American-brand body-on-frame SUVs all have some quality issues, and U.S.-based publication Consumer Reports ranks the Sequoia as the most reliable in the full-size mass-market utility segment, followed by the Armada. If our perception that vehicles built in Japan are more durable than those assembled in America, than the Armada may be for us.
While it doesn’t dominate its category in any way, the Armada does everything generally well. Its redesign for the 2025 model year allowed it to catch up in terms of infotainment user experience, ride and handling and—subjectively—looks.
On the other hand, the Nissan’s ride could be softer around town, its fuel economy could be a little better, and in Canada at least, it’s no longer as affordable as it used to be. And for those who think the Armada could be sportier, there’s new NISMO variant coming for the 2026 model year with 460 horsepower, a louder exhaust, retuned steering and suspension settings as well as performance tires.
| Specifications | |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Nissan Armada | 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe | 2025 Ford Expedition | 2025 GMC Yukon | 2025 Jeep Wagoneer | 2025 Toyota Sequoia | |
| Price Range Before Options and Luxury Tax ($CAD) | $87,093 to $108,093 | $79,099 to $107,469 | $84,715 to $110,135 | $94,599 to $127,599 | $83,295 to $104,595 | $85,995 to $103,652 |
| Base Output (hp) | 425 | 355 (Opt. 305 to 420) | 400 (Opt. 440) | 355 (Opt. 305 to 420) | 420 | 437 |
| Base Torque (lb-ft) | 516 | 383 (Opt. 460 to 495) | 480 (Opt. 510) | 383 (Opt. 460 to 495) | 468 | 583 |
| Base City/Highway/Combined (L/100 km) | 14.7 / 12.4 / 13.7 | 15.9 / 12.5 / 14.4 | 15.4 / 10.7 / 13.3 | 15.9 / 12.5 / 14.4 | 14.5 / 10.1 / 12.5 | 12.6 / 10.5 / 11.7 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3,076 | 3,071 | 3,112 | 3,071 | 3,124 | 3,099 |
| Length (mm) | 5,324 | 5,367 | 5,331 | 5,337 | 5,453 | 5,286 |
| Width (mm) | 2,116 | 2,057 | 2,149 | 2,057 | 2,124 | 2,022 |
| Height (mm) | 1,946 | 1,928 | 1,984 | 1,943 | 2,025 | 1,885 |
| Headroom Front/2nd/3rd (mm) | 993 / 960 / 919 | 1,074 / 988 / 970 | 1,062 / 1,016 / 950 | 1,074 / 988 / 970 | 1,049 / 1,016 / 991 | 996 / 975 / 904 |
| Legroom Front/2nd/3rd (mm) | 1,113 / 996 / 876 | 1,130 / 1,067 / 886 | 1,115 / 1,044 / 927 | 1,130 / 1,067 / 886 | 1,040 / 1,085 / 930 | 1,046 / 996 / 856 |
| Cargo Volume Behind 3rd/2nd/1st (L) | 578 / 1,594 / 2,750 | 722 / 2,053 / 3,475 | 650 / 1,979 / 3,072 | 722 / 2,053 / 3,478 | 776 / 2,005 / 3,305 | 631 / 1,388 / 2,461 |
