If you are looking for big then you’ve come to the right place. The 2023 Nissan Armada is one of the biggest SUVs on the market. It makes a tall person look tiny in it. It has plenty of space for long road trips, it is powerful, and has a great style but is it worth it when compared to its competitors?
Engine/Transmission
The 2023 Armada Premium has a 5.6L V8 and produces 400hp and 413lb-ft of torque so it has no issues at all with overtaking a vehicle; it does not struggle at all. It is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and with either rear wheel or all-wheel drive. It is rated for 12.9L/100km on a hwy and 17.5L/100km in a city while I averaged a combined 14.9L/100km. It has a powerful towing capacity of 8,500lbs so its perfect for a small travel trailer or a boat during the summer. Although there may be other SUVs with greater capacity, I do think the Armada is still great as it meets right in the middle.
Handling/Performance
The Armada drives great both in city and hwy. It is smooth while cruising but its steering isn’t as responsive as other SUVs. Not a big deal though, as large SUVs aren’t meant to maneuver like a small vehicle. While cruising on the highway, it becomes too smooth of a ride and at higher speeds just feels a bit bouncy in my opinion. Its easy to drive around the city as well as it does not feel extremely bulky. Driving over larger potholes or deep uneven roads, however, almost feels like riding in a bus; bumpy. The not-so-great part is the fuel economy, as it is thirsty. I mostly drove on the highway and fuel economy could have been better especially when compared to other SUVs.
Comfort
I had no issues with the comfort of the seats in the Armada. It had enough seat adjustments to suit my driving position. I found the seats to be well cushioned the only problem I found was that they were too flat for the back and bottom so not enough lumbar support and on fast turns, you will slide a bit. The third-row seats are harder to the touch and not as comfortable to sit for long periods of time.
Interior
The inside of the Armada Platinum is quite nice with all the materials used throughout the cabin; however, it is starting to look a bit outdated. Not much has changed for 2023 since its last update back in 2021. For 2023 you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen with added Amazon Alexa, remote start, and LED fog lights available as standard features. Although it is great looking, I think its competitors are a bit better especially because like the Tahoe for example, offers a bit more leg space. The Tahoe offers 44.5 inches of leg space in the driver’s seat, 42 inches behind the driver, and 36.7 inches in the 3rd row. In the Armada you get 41.9inches in the driver’s seat, 41.4 inches in 2nd row and 28.4 inches in the 3rd row! That’s quite significant when comparing the two.
Exterior
Just like the interior, the exterior looks a bit outdated as well. I wouldn’t be able to tell it is a 2023 model. It is a big SUV and for that I’m sure may catch people’s attention but there are better looking SUVs out there.
Pros/Cons
If I was in the market for a large SUV, the Armada wouldn’t be on my top 3 picks. Id much prefer the Chevy Tahoe over the Armada, as it looks better and has more space. The Armada is great for those that want a great towing capacity as that is a plus. Although the seats are comfortable the interior and exterior are starting to look outdated and for its price tag, you would want to feel like you’re in a brand-new SUV. The starting price of the Nissan Armada is $76,443 CAD ($50,400USD).
2023 Nissan Armada Platinum Gallery
