Titanium 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV 4WD (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Titanium 4dr SUV (5.6L 8cyl 5A)
Changes for 2011 include changes in trim names, while the rest of the vehicle remains the same. The price has gone up by some margin with the Armada now being priced at $38,490.
Six years down its inception, the Armada instantiates robustness all over again every year. The bulky SUV from Nissan gained admiration through its utilitarian nature and a highly practical cabin. Though the standard features on the starting models were not up to the mark, the Armada survived against competitors like Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Toyota Sequoia with a commendable powertrain and a mammoth occupant area. Changes for 2011 include changes in trim names, while the rest of the vehicle remains the same. The price has gone up by some margin with the Armada now being priced at $38,490.
For 2011 the Nissan Armada comes in different wrappers, but the contents remain the same. In other words, the brand has renamed the three trims previously provided and now will be coming in as the SV (replacing the SE), the SL (replacing the Titanium), and the Platinum. The list of standard features remains unchanged.
Options on the SV include a power-folding third-row seat and a Driver package that adds many of the SL's extra features. Second-row captain's chairs are available on the Platinum model as a replacement for the standard bench. The DVD entertainment system is a stand-alone option on lower trims.
Trims |
SV |
SL |
Platinum |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP (RWD) |
$38,490 |
$43,640 |
$50,890 |
MSRP (AWD) |
$44,090 |
$46,540 |
$53,790 |
Key Features |
18-Inch Alloy Wheels |
20-Inch Alloy Wheels |
20-Inch Chrome Wheels |
Side-Step Rails |
Fog Lights |
Front Parking Sensors |
|
Rear Parking Assist |
Auto-Levelling Rear Air Suspension |
Sunroof |
|
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control |
Roof Rack |
Dual Power-Folding Mirrors |
|
Rear Climate Controls |
Tow Package |
Power Rear Lift Gate |
|
Eight-Way Power Driver Seat |
Keyless Entry/Ignition |
Heated Front Seats |
|
Power-Adjustable Pedals |
Leather Upholstery |
Heated Steering Wheel |
|
Eight-Speaker Stereo |
Power-Folding Third-Row Seat |
Driver Memory Functions |
|
Six-CD Changer |
Back-Up Camera |
Navigation System With Real-Time Traffic Display |
|
Bluetooth |
Rear-Seat DVD Entertainment |
||
12-Speaker Bose Audio System |
Bose Audio System |
||
9.3-Gigabyte Hard Drive |
We Recommend:
We believe that an SUV should always be equipped with the best of mechanisms it can get. Hence, the 4WD version of the SL trim is recommended. It inherits a lot from the Platinum trim including a rear air suspension and a tow package. Besides, a whole lot of electronic accessories also make their way into the SL trim.
Powering this mammoth-sized SUV is an equally sizable 5.6-liter V8 that produces 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic is the only available transmission on the Armada. The combination can be had in two options. A default RWD that is good to go on flat surfaces and cruising speed or the highly functional and versatile 4WD.
The Armada's steering is notably weighty -- nice at higher speeds, but potentially off-putting to some when maneuvering in parking lots. On the plus side, the highly intuitive powertrain makes the Armada what someone might call brisk, in the sense that it is very eager to get on the roll.
Model |
Nissan Armada |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Ford Expedition |
Toyota Sequoia |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$38,490 |
$37,980 |
$39,730 |
$40,930 |
Engine |
5.6/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/32/V-8 |
5.3/Overhead Valves (OHV)/16/V-8 |
5.4/Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)/24/V-8 |
4.6/Double Overhead Cam (DOHC)/32/V-8 |
Transmission |
5-speed Automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
6-speed Automatic |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
Horsepower |
317 hp @ 5200 rpm |
320 hp @ 5400 rpm |
310 hp @ 5100 rpm |
310 hp @ 5400 rpm |
Torque |
385 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm |
335 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm |
365 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm |
327 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm |
0-60 Mph (sec) |
7.5 |
7.7 |
8.2 |
7.2 |
Quarter Mile (sec) |
15.9 |
16 |
16.3 |
15.6 |
Top Speed |
NA |
135 |
134 |
105 |
7.5 seconds is the split time for the Armada between 0 and 60 MPH. Armada's robust V8 feels stronger than its numbers suggest, though the massive weight of this truck is obvious when cornering or coming to an abrupt stop. The ride too is usually comfortable, but some ruts can send considerable impact harshness through the steering wheel and seats. Newer truck-based SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Sequoia provide a smoother on-road ride.
One of the major concerns for Nissan’s sales team is convincing the customers against an inspiring fuel consumption rate of the Armada. It is understood that the Armada is a huge vehicle with a pickup-like powertrain. Thus, a substantial decrease in fuel consumption is nothing but prominent.
According to the EPA, the estimates are 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on highways leading to a combined economy of 15 mpg for two-wheel-drive models. Meanwhile, the AWD estimates are 1 MPG more than the former.
Model |
Nissan Armada |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Ford Expedition |
Toyota Sequoia |
---|---|---|---|---|
City |
13 |
15 |
14 |
14 |
Highway |
19 |
21 |
20 |
20 |
Combined |
15 |
18 |
17 |
17 |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
28 gal. |
26 gal. |
33.5 gal. |
26.4 gal. |
Fuel Type |
Regular unleaded |
Flex-fuel (unleaded/e85) |
Flex-fuel (unleaded/e85) |
Regular unleaded |
Compared to chief rivals like Chevrolet Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia, Armada’s figures are substantially below the par level. With 18 MPG combined, the Tahoe manages a segment-best figure, but can only be guaranteed using an 85 Octane fuel. Meanwhile, with just 28 gallons to store fuel, refueling will come fast in the Nissan Armada.
The 2011 Nissan Armada features an attractive, comfortable interior. The overall design is pleasing and the quality of most materials is above average. Controls are well placed and simple to operate.
While the standard eight-passenger setup inside SV and SL models uses a 40/20/40-split bench in the second-row, Platinum models can be had with an available pair of captain's chairs (separated by a center console) that drops seating capacity to just seven. Whichever way you go, you'll find a number of handy storage cubbies scattered throughout the interior.
Model |
Nissan Armada |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Ford Expedition |
Toyota Sequoia |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger Capacity |
8 |
9 |
5 |
8 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
41/65/41.8 |
41.1/65.3/41.3 |
39.5/63.2/41.1 |
38.3/66.4/42.5 |
2nd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
NA/64.7/41.9 |
39.2/65.2/39.0 |
39.8/63.7/39.1 |
38.9/66.1/36.5 |
3rd Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
35.9/63.7/32.2 |
37.9/61.7/25.6 |
38/67.1/37.7 |
36/65.7/35.3 |
Cargo Capacity (All Seats In Place) |
20 cu-ft |
16.9 cu-ft |
42.6 cu-ft |
18.9 cu-ft |
Maximum Cargo Capacity |
97.1 cu-ft |
108.9 cu-ft |
130.8 cu-ft |
120.1 cu-ft |
Nissan has moved to dress up the Armada's interior in recent years, but overall, there are too many dull plastics in this interior and trims still look on the cheap side. In the back, the third-row bench is just passable for smaller adults, but it leaves almost no cargo space and the headroom is tighter back there. the Armada offers 20 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row, and 97.1 cubic feet with all the rear seats folded -- a number that's roughly 10 cubic feet less than its full-size SUV competitors.
The Armada has a pretty simple lineup and a limited list of options. Ability to play MP3 formatted CDs is standard on the base Armada, while the SL adds the privilege of Bluetooth hands-free, a Bose premium audio system, and a rear-view monitor. Meanwhile, the top-end Platinum adorns a rear DVD entertainment unit and a nav system with real-time traffic capability and hard-drive space for music storage, but that comes at a considerably high price.
In the world of conservatively styled SUVs, the 2011 Nissan Armada’s expressive design stands out as one of its strongest attributes. From its arched door frames to its raised roof, to its huge side fender flares, the Armada is not easily mistaken for anything but an Armada. Some of the styling places form over function, however, such as the high positioned rear door handles that can prove a difficult reach for smaller children.
A generous expanse of glass combined with narrow roof pillars provides good 360-degree visibility, and Nissan’s huge side mirrors reveal all objects near the Armada’s sides. On Platinum trims, the side mirrors include a power-folding and auto-dimming feature.
Model |
Nissan Armada |
Chevrolet Tahoe |
Ford Expedition |
Toyota Sequoia |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight |
5346 lbs. |
5636 lbs. |
5898 lbs. |
5680 lbs. |
Ground Clearance |
10 |
9 |
9 |
10 |
Height |
77 in. |
77 in. |
78 in. |
77 in. |
Length |
208 in. |
202 in. |
221 in. |
205 in. |
Wheelbase |
123 in. |
116 in. |
131 in. |
122 in. |
Width |
79 in. |
79 in. |
79 in. |
80 in. |
Track Width |
67.5 in. |
67 in. |
67.2 in. |
69.1 in. |
Apparently, the Armada has less to speak about beauty but more about utility. A ground clearance of 10 inches is nothing but extraordinary, and so is the self-leveling rear suspension. Despite its bulk, the Armada is the lightest of the lot. Ironically, the Armada is stretched in all three dimensions more than any of its competitors.
The 2011 Nissan Armada comes standard with antilock disc brakes and brake assist, stability control, front-seat active head restraints, front-seat side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. While it hasn't been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash-testing procedures, the Armada's 2010 frontal crash-test scores (which aren't necessarily comparable) were five stars (out of five) for driver protection and four stars for passenger protection. With less to offer on this front, the Armada could be considered as only moderate safe.
Like every SUV, even the Armada has its own ups and downs. While the economy and safety fronts are extremely weak. On the other hand, the Armada is existentially spacious and practical. Plus, it has a very powerful heart that is hardly second to any other competitor. So, we believe these points should be more than enough to get you your new Nissan Armada. However, if the economy is important, it is advisable to look for other options in the market.