Based on the Infiniti QX80, the 2017 Armada borrows the overall dimensions of the luxury brand’s SUV but loses some of its more bulbous styling cues. Nissan’s new V-Motion grille takes over the vehicle’s front fascia and is paired with LED headlights, front fender vents, chrome accents, and an acoustic glass windshield.
Traditionally, automakers with standard and luxury marques tend to jazz up the more premium version in terms of design, but in the case of the Armada, its more refined physique is easier on the eyes than its QX80 sibling.
Luxurious amenities aren’t lost on the 2017 Armada, either, as the interior gains wood trim, metallic accents, heated front leather seats, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, and an 8.0-inch infotainment monitor as standard. Stepping up to the Armada Platinum brings heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seating, a heated steering wheel, and a rear entertainment system with twin 7.0-inch displays.
Regardless of trim, the 2017 Armada is powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine making 390 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, an improvement of 73 horsepower and 16 lb-ft of torque over the outgoing model. The new Armada is also 1.2-inches longer than the current model while riding on a 2.1-inch shorter wheelbase. Seating for eight passengers remains the only layout.
Replacing the current five-speed transmission is the Japanese automaker’s standard seven-speed automatic gearbox. Rear-wheel drive is the default setup but all-wheel drive is available in higher-spec trims. All versions will have tow ratings of 8,500 pounds.
The 2017 Nissan Armada will go on sale this summer and pricing will be announced in the coming months.
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