View Photos of the 2021 Nissan Armada
Nissan's full-size Armada already felt plush for its modest starting price. Thanks to a range of mid-cycle updates for 2021, it now feels up to date.
Going into its fourth model year on the market, the second-generation 2021 Nissan Armada receives a refresh that includes new front- and rear-end styling, modernized infotainment, and more comprehensive driver-assistance tech. But it retains its plush interior and easy-driving personality.
Inside and out the updated 2021 Armada SUV remains a mainstream truck worthy of a luxury maker's badge. It's still nearly identical to the Infiniti QX80, as the two share their chassis, powertrains, and much of their sheetmetal and interior.
The Armada is powered by Nissan's aging 5.6-liter V-8, which is bolted to a seven-speed automatic transmission. For 2021, the engine is rated at 400 horsepower, up 10 horsepower from the previous year. Torque is up too, from 394 pound-feet to 413. Rear-drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional.
The 2021 Armada comes in three trim levels: Base SV, mid-level SL, and top-spec Platinum. The latter, with quilted-leather seats and an overload of standard amenities, just about matches the plushness as its fraternal twin, the Infiniti QX80.
For 2021, Nissan replaced the Armada's center stack with a simpler design topped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with crisper graphics.
A suite of driver-assistance tech that Nissan calls Safety Shield 360 is standard on all Armadas. It includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection; blind-spot monitor; rear cross-traffic alert; lane-departure warning; high-beam assist; and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise is also standard.
The Armada is only about two inches shorter than the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe, but it's considerably smaller than those two inside. The Armada has 155 cubic feet of passenger volume within its three rows of seats, while the Ford and Chevy both have 178 cubic feet of passenger room. The Armada's third row is rather tight for average-size adults.
If towing is high on your priority list, the Armada is a good choice. All versions are rated to pull a hefty 8500 pounds.
Based on our previous testing experience, we expect the refreshed 2021 Armada to reach 60 mph in just under six seconds.
The 2021 Armada Platinum we drove didn't just look posh, it drove like a luxury vehicle as well. There's nothing remotely athletic about its steering or handling, but it moves with a deliberate elegance.
We expect that the most attractive thing about the updated Armada will be its price—as it was with the outgoing model. The previous Armada cost thousands less than its rivals from Chevy, Ford, and GMC, and there's no indication that will change when Nissan releases pricing closer to when the new version goes on sale in early 2021.
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
2021 Nissan Armada Platinum
View Photos of the 1987 Sterling 825SL
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Interior Photos
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Exterior Photos
View Photos of the 2027 Ferrari 849 Testarossa
