The 2017 Nissan Armada is the poor man’s QX80 – but Nissan says it’s not worried that the two will compete for the same well-heeled customers.
“There’s not much cross-shopping between the two brands,” said Andrew Harkness, chief marketing Manager for Nissan Canada. “Does the Tahoe sell less because they have the Escalade? They still sell.”
In other words, Infiniti drivers would turn their noses up at a Nissan while Nissan drivers don’t wish to pay more for almost the same vehicle.
Both are full-sized SUVs built on the same platform as the Patrol – Nissan’s competitor to the Land Cruiser outside North America – but the base Armada will cost at least $11,000 less than the base QX80.
The two have similar specs. They share a seven-speed hydraulic transmission and a 5.6-litre V-8 as the Titan, although the Armada gets 390 horsepower while the QX30 gets 400. They can both seat eight, tow up to 8,500 pounds and do some fairly serious off-roading.
Their target customers? Folks with money who need to haul up to eight people in style. The compact SUV segment might be hotter than kale, but full-sized SUVs still sell – especially to people with four or more kids, Nissan says.
It’s a sea change from the previous Armada, which was built on the Titan platform. It doesn’t feel – or drive – like a box.
The QX80 and the Armada look the same – but different. The Nissan is better looking inside and out – where the QX80 looks like somebody wearing seven Rolexes and and three smoking jackets, the Armada is more quietly classy.
It’s also quiet, period – Nissan says acoustic glass keeps it at “university library levels of noise, depending on where you went to university,” when it’s parked.
On the road, it’s not exactly fun, but it’s comfortable. And that comfort was still there on a bumpy off-roading course at Laguna Seca raceway.
Also neat – Nissan’s 360-degree AroundView monitor meant the cameras in the sideview mirrors showed us where we were going at the crest of a steep hill, even when all that was visible out the windshield was blue sky.
Chances are, the steepest climbs most Armada buyers will experience will be the speed bumps at the Costco parking lot – but the bird’s-eye view comes in handy to fit into tight parking spots.
While the United States will get a base SV trim level and 2WD, Canada’s only getting two trims – SL and Platinum, both in four-wheel drive.
The SL includes leather seats, a 13-speaker Bose Premium Sound system, trailer hitch, moonroof, forward emergency braking, forward collision warning, blindspot warning and backup collision intervention.
The intervention systems apply the brakes if they sense you’re about to hit something. Infiniti has had them for a while, but this is the first time they’ve been offered in a Nissan.
For $69,998, Platinum adds vehicle speed-sensitive power steering, a wiper de-icer, front heated and cooled seats, rear heated seats, rear entertainment system, lane departure prevention and warning, and blind spot intervention – which actually brakes one side to keep you from veering into traffic.
With the Platinum, you can opt for captain’s chairs in the second row instead of the three-seater bench.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
TECH SPECS
Base price: $63,498
Engines: 5.6-litre V-8
Transmission/Drive: Seven-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Fuel economy (litres/100 km): TBD, regular fuel
Alternatives: Infiniti QX80, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition Toyota Sequoia
You’ll like this SUV if ... don’t want to spring for the Infiniti and like the idea that you could do some serious off-roading on the way home from the premium outlet mall.
RATINGS
Looks: It’s basically the QX80, without the ostentation. It’s not a head turner, but it’s good looking.
Interior: Mostly, controls are simple and intuitive. Shares design with pricier Infiniti but is much less fussy. The fake wood is straight from the 1980s. Second row is roomy but third row is a little snug. The rear seats are power-lowered and way too slow. The second row seats slide back easily to let adults climb into the back.
Performance: It drives like a much smaller luxury car. That’s a compliment. It’s not sporty, but it handles better than most other vehicles (like an Odyssey) that will haul that many people.
Technology: There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The around-view monitor gives you an overhead view of all four sides – and warns you if somebody moves into it. Only one USB port.
Cargo: Decent room with third row down.
The Verdict
8.0
The Armada is handsome, drives like a car, can tow and off-road like a truck – and gives you Infiniti comfort in a simpler, cheaper package.