If the first law of the global marketplace is that Toyota will dive into any vehicle segment, the second law might be "where Toyota goes, Nissan will follow." And one of Nissan's own laws of recent years has been to attack with the biggest weapon. That explains why the Armada stomped in on the longest, tied-for-widest body, riding on the most stretched-out wheelbase. Who'd have guessed that Nissan would aim for the Tahoe and hit the Suburban!
The Armada has one engine. At 5.6 liters, it's bigger than both Tahoe engines, and than both Expedition engines, and especially the Sequoia's. 305 horsepower is competitive, and torque is at the top: 385 pounds-feet. The Armada is nothing if not consistent.
New for this year and based on the also-new Titan truck, it was first assigned the name "Pathfinder Armada" to create familiarity, which was quickly revoked after about a month, probably to eliminate confusion. Armada is its official name. Like the Sequoia, there are two models, both available in 2WD and 4WD, all sharing the same engine and transmission. In Nissan's case, neither the price or equipment gap is as vast.
The Armada starts with the $33,950 SE. The SE Off-Road adds a numerically higher final-drive ratio, Rancho shocks, 17x7 alloy wheels (down an inch in diameter and width from other Armadas), skid plates, fog lights, leather, power passenger seat, 10-speaker Bose CD changer, Radio Data System, and side-impact airbags. The LE tops the range with a chrome grille, puddle lights, footwell lights, rear quarter windows, second-row console, memory for driver's seat, mirrors, and pedals, heated front seats, and second-row captain's chairs.
The Armada features the group's only other independent rear suspension, robbing the Expedition of its uniqueness. Like Ford, Nissan's goal seems to have been to create the three-ton sports car. Ride quality is said to be firm, noise levels high, steering and throttle response quick. Standard towing capacity is average at 6,500 pounds, but the optional towing package (standard on LE models, optional on others) boosts that number to a highest-in-class 9,100, partly thanks to a different final-drive ratio. Not too shabby for a foreigner, eh?
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