Big and Beautiful: 2017 Nissan Armada SUV
Nissan has introduced the all-new 2nd generation 2017 Armada SUV. Maintaining its full eight-passenger utility, overall length is now longer on a slightly shorter wheelbase. The new Armada is also wider and lower in height. Armada's new exterior appearance is both powerful and refined. The redesigned body features an aggressive stance with bold V-motion front grille and standard LED low-beam headlights with halogen high beams and LED Daytime Running Lights – maintaining the previous generation's rugged, athletic image but with added contemporary style. The front fenders include functional air intake vents. The outside rearview mirrors feature a hospitality lighting system, which turns on the puddle lights as the driver approaches the Armada, then turns the cabin lights on when the lock is released.
Other exterior features include body color front and rear bumpers, black color grille with chrome trim accent, chrome trim accent side window moldings, chrome door handles, privacy glass, dark-painted over fenders and side step rails, dark-painted roof rails and front and rear parking sensors. Also available are rain-sensing front windshield wipers and front wiper de-icer.
To be available in three high-content grade levels – SV, SL and Platinum, power for the 2nd generation Armada is generated by a new VK56VD 5.6L Endurance® V8 engine. Torque is communicated to the ground through a new seven-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching. Four wheel drive is an available option.
Like the first-generation Armada, the 2017 model features rugged body-on-frame construction, providing a balance of strength, durability and utility. The new-generation Armada offers a number of enhancements over the previous design. For example, the side rails of the fully boxed ladder frame has been expanded from 60-millimeter width to 100-millimeter in key areas. The all-new body design offers a 20 percent increase in twisted body stiffness, helping enhance handling and ride comfort.
Inside the passenger cabin combines style, roominess and premium interior comfort – including special emphasis on quietness and quick interior cooling and heating. The standard seating configuration includes front four-way power-adjustable buckets seats with large center console, 2nd row fold flat 60/40 split bench seat and 3rd row 60/40-split folding bench seat, which folds flat into floor for extra cargo carrying flexibility. A 3rd row seat power-folding feature is standard on SL and Platinum grades. Armada Platinum models are also available with optional 2nd row Captain's Chairs with removable 2nd row console (resulting in seven-passenger seating capacity).
Among the long list of standard Armada features are heated front seats. Climate-controlled (heating and cooling), heated steering wheel and heated 2nd row seats are standard on Platinum models. Armada SV offers premium cloth seating surfaces, while leather-appointed seating is standard on SL and Platinum grades. The Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system (with microfilter) uses direct/indirect airflow, including a 2nd row "curtain" vent to effectively distribute cool air to every seat.
"Library level" interior noise levels (at idle) are achieved through the use of acoustic glass on the windshield and the front side windows, as well as through expanded use (versus the previous generation) of sound absorption materials. A new windshield design also helps reduce wind noise.
Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 121.1; overall length: 208.9; width: 79.9; height: 75.8
All vehicle measurements are in inches.
Engine: 5.6L V8 – 390 hp at 5800 rpm and 394 lbs-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 14 city/19 hwy. (RWD); 13 city/18 hwy. (4WD)
Cargo capacity: 95.4 cubic feet
Towing capacity: 8500 lbs
Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side impact airbags, dual front/rear head curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, limited slip differential, vehicle dynamic control, traction control system, hill start assist, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlamps, auto closure liftgate, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, navigation system, Nissan Intelligent Key with push button ignition, speed-sensitive automatic power door locks, HomeLink universal transceiver, rearview monitor, full-size spare tire, and tire pressure monitoring system. SL adds front fog lights, front/rear parking sensors, remote engine start system, front rain-sensing wipers, around view monitor, and moving object detection. Platinum adds intelligent cruise control, distance control assist, blind spot warning, blind spot intervention, backup collision intervention, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, lane departure prevention and lane departure warning.
Warranty
Basic: 5-year/100,000 mile Bumper-to-bumper
Roadside Assistance: 3-year/36,000 mile
Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2017 Nissan Armada SUV starts from $44,900 for the SV model upto $60,490 for the Platinum all-wheel-drive. Destination charges add $1,095.
