For the primary time in over 35 years we’re getting the world market Nissan Patrol in North America, however right here it is going to have the Armada badge. That’s proper; the 2025 Nissan Armada is the very same because the Patrol bought all over the world, for the primary time ever.
Why is that this such a very good factor? As a result of the Patrol is a stout, confirmed off-road machine prepared for severe adventures.
Nissan invited me to Franklin, Tenn., to expertise a number of variations of the next-generation Armada. After all, I used to be most excited to see what the first-ever Armada PRO-4X mannequin is all about. I obtained to take it off-road in some very muddy situations, in addition to tow a giant Airstream trailer with it. I additionally spent a number of hours driving on-road within the top-luxury-spec 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4.
Briefly: The 2025 Nissan Armada is a powerful massive SUV for hauling and towing. The primary-ever PRO-4X model of the Armada is the correctly stout off-road machine fans have been asking for. It’s additionally a really snug on a regular basis driver, however may gain advantage from higher suspension tuning and extra cabin sound deadening.
Powertrain:
VR35 V6 Twin-Turbo, 9-speed auto trans
Energy:
425 hp, 516 lb.-ft.
Curb Weight:
6,054 lbs.
Payload:
1,755 lbs.
Towing Capability:
8,500 lbs. (850 lb. tongue weight)
Dimensions:
121.1″ wheelbase, 209.6″ L x 83.3″ W x 78″ H
Floor Clearance:
9.6″ minimal
Angles (levels):
33.0 strategy, 24.5 departure, 25.5 breakover
Cargo Room:
97.1 cu.-ft. behind 1st row, 56.3 cu.-ft. behind 2nd row, 20.4 cu.-ft. behind third row
Gasoline Tank Capability:
23.6 gals.
Gasoline Financial system:
TBD
Worth:
$73,740 (+$2,010 vacation spot & dealing with)
Very off-road succesful
Spectacular hauling and towing capabilities
A great deal of passenger room
Attractiveness inside and outside
Not the smoothest experience
Cabin wind noise
V6 tick, versus V8 rumble
Bryon Dorr
2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X Assessment
2024 Armada subsequent to 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
With eight-passenger/three-row individuals shifting and as much as 97.1 cubic-feet and 1,755 kilos of cargo capability, the 2025 Armada is prepared for giant adventures. Add in 8,500 kilos of towing capability and this huge SUV can be able to haul your massive toys in your subsequent journey.
Styling
Whereas styling is subjective, I feel everybody will doubtless discover the 2025 Armada extra interesting, exterior and in, than the outgoing mannequin. The skin has a giant presence and appears bigger, regardless that it’s basically the identical measurement.
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
Quite a lot of the outdated curves have been traded in for straight strains, which makes this huge SUV look even wider and taller than it’s. Black plastic over-fenders, roof rails, and operating boards additionally assist to visually give the PRO-4X extra bulk.
After all, like all auto producers, Nissan continues to make use of lighting components to make its autos stand out from the group. The 2025 Armada will get twin C-shaped entrance and tail lamps, in addition to a vehicle-wide rear mild bar. These lights add to the visible peak and width of the car as nicely.
(Photograph/Nissan)
The 2025 Nissan Armada is available in eight colours, with 5 of these provided with a blacked-out roof possibility. There are seven inside seems to be, however the PRO-4X solely is available in Charcoal with Lava Orange accents.
Like all the opposite off-road SUVs in the marketplace with prolonged heritage — Wrangler, Bronco, Land Cruiser, and so forth — the 2025 Armada has some easter eggs paying tribute to its Nissan Patrol heritage. There are three “Since 1951” easter eggs within the car. One within the decrease middle of the rear glass, one within the trim on the middle console, and one within the puddle-lamp projection.
V6 Replaces V8
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
Whereas the V8 is useless, its alternative is healthier in all methods — in addition to sound. Each 2025 Armada will get Nissan’s VR35 twin-turbo V6, backed by a nine-speed paddle shift automated transmission. This engine is a by-product of the GT-R motor and places out 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque — 25+ horsepower and 103 pound-feet greater than the outgoing V8.
In the true world, this engine does very nicely, however does have noticeable turbo lag. Fortunately, that lag doesn’t actually detract from the driving expertise or efficiency, as you’re by no means left wanting for extra energy. That is very true when towing and/or passing on the freeway, as this massive SUV simply and shortly climbs to triple-digit speeds with out points.
No gas financial system numbers are out simply but, but it surely ought to far exceed the earlier mannequin 12 months’s V8 — which has a mixed score of 16 mpg.
Middle console of 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
The shifter has been modified to a push-button setup. It’s a bit odd at first and fairly hidden within the middle console, however it’s simple to get used to.
Pushed
For the primary time in a Nissan, we get adaptive digital air suspension. This height-adjusting air suspension setup affords a bit greater than 4 inches of peak adjustment. After all, this makes the car simpler to get out and in of and cargo when low, offers a very good experience when in the usual setting, and offers extra clearance for avoiding off-road obstacles when absolutely raised.
I discovered the experience to be a bit harsh over damaged pavement and medium-sized off-road obstacles, however the physique roll was minimal when aggressively cornering and when tackling off-camber off-road terrain.
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
Nissan says the brand new body below the Armada affords 25% higher torsional rigidity and 57% extra lateral stiffness. That each one rings true for me, as even when the car is teetering on two wheels, it doesn’t creak or noticeably flex in any manner.
Electrical energy steering with a faster steering ratio is now customary on Armada. It felt a bit heavy, which helps give the phantasm of suggestions, but it surely additionally felt responsive and acceptable for such a giant, heavy SUV. The throttle response is superb, and the brakes are high-quality however not tremendous linear.
The flip alerts take a little bit of getting used to, as in the event you push all of them the best way down they doubtless gained’t self-cancel, except making no less than a 90-degree flip. However, simply faucet them they usually’ll blink thrice and cease. Takes a lighter contact than I’m used to, however that is one thing you’ll uncover on many fashionable new autos.
2025 Armada PRO-4X Off-Highway
(Photograph/Nissan)
When you wish to drive off-road, or in a efficiency method, this car is for you. It doesn’t have among the auto off-road driving options like crawl management that opponents have, but it surely has an excellent traction management system — and the computer systems don’t override your handbook controls.
That’s super-refreshing from a talented driver perspective, because it means that you can drive the car with two ft and management it along with your inputs, versus having the computer systems do a lot of the work and pondering for you.
(Photograph/Nissan)
With that mentioned, the 2025 Armada PRO-4X does have Hill Descent management customary and a top quality, easy traction management system that isn’t intrusive. And, it has eight drive modes; Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow, Snow, Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut.
Once you put it in any of the three off-road drive modes, the car routinely rises to the highest suspension setting. Whereas this offers about 2.1 inches extra clearance over the usual experience peak, it additionally offers a harsh experience. That is true of any car with air experience suspension, as when it’s absolutely maxed out, the airbags are rock-hard and supply little articulation.
Sizzling Tip: In a standard drive mode, maintain down the auto air experience peak adjustment button for a number of seconds. It should flip off the automated peak adjustment mode. Then, swap to an off-road drive mode and the car will keep within the regular experience peak. This offers a a lot smoother experience, and nonetheless means that you can selectively increase the car when needing to recover from an impediment.
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
Whereas the PRO-4X does include 33-inch (275/60R20) all-terrain tires, they’re very street-oriented and never nice off-road. Add in that the car comes with 20-inch wheels, and also you solely get 6.5 inches of tire sidewall to work with. I personally don’t suppose that is sufficient to confidently air down a lot and never injury the wheels or get a pinch flat.
However, the Armada PRO-4X does get a powerful 9.6 inches of floor clearance at regular experience peak, which is bumped as much as 11.7 at off-road experience peak. The car additionally will get a number of skid plates and relative strategy and departure angles of 33 and 24.5 levels, respectively, within the highest suspension setting.
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
The entrance bumper helps with that strategy angle, and homes two pink tow hooks. Whereas the 2 hooks don’t cut back the strategy angle, they’re doubtless the very first thing to hit when tackling lots of obstacles off-road.
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
The rear restoration level on the Armada PRO-4X is the tow hitch receiver, which is hidden below a plastic cowl.
To prime off this new off-road-focused mannequin’s functionality is a straightforward button — a selectable rear e-locker.
Armada PRO-4X Tech
(Photograph/Nissan)
After all, the brand new Armada can be stuffed with the newest security, comfort, and luxury tech. It will get customary wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to NissanConnect companies with Google and Alexa built-in. All of that’s proven and managed by way of twin 14.3-inch screens on the PRO-4X.
Additionally on development, the brand new Armada will get a ton of latest digicam views and tech. This contains HD Enhanced Clever 3D Round View with invisible hood view, entrance broad view, and shifting object detection. The digicam system even permits you to geo-tag areas the place you need particular digicam views to routinely show on display screen.
Extremely-wide view digicam show on 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
One of many coolest new options is an ultra-wide view, which lets you span a number of digicam views throughout each screens.
Whereas automakers are all throwing model names at their car audio, Nissan has accomplished so with a really spectacular sound system. The Armada PRO-4X (and SL and above trims) will get a Klipsch 12-channel, 12-speaker, 600W amplified system.
It creates a fantastic sound stage and spatial audio with good instrument separation. I used to be notably impressed with the low distortion and heavy bass it could produce. This method is lacking headrest and ceiling audio system however is in any other case the identical as discovered within the 2025 Infinity QX80.
A digital rear-view mirror means that you can see “through” passengers and cargo to all the time get a transparent view out the again of the car. And, in contrast to some opponents, the digicam is excessive decision, the display screen excessive decision, and total the system works nicely with out being distracting.
ProPILOT Help 1.1 is customary on SL trim and above, with 2.1 as an possibility, besides PRO-4X the place it’s not out there. So, no hands-free driver help for PRO-4X consumers.
No fashionable car, particularly a individuals mover like this, can be full and not using a host of charging choices for moveable electronics. The 2025 Armada will get 6 USB-C, two 12V retailers, a cargo space 120V outlet, and a wi-fi charging pad within the middle console.
Non-compulsory on the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X, with the Premium Bundle, is a head-up show (HUD) and a really cool sprint cam system. The sprint cam has each inside and outdoors cameras. It auto-records accident occasions and comes with an 8GB SD card. One other cool characteristic is that by way of the car app, you may look contained in the car once you’re not in it and see in the event you left something or if somebody is attempting to interrupt in.
Consolation
(Photograph/Nissan)
There may be extra wind noise within the cabin of the 2025 Armada than I’d desire. However, it’s a huge car attempting to punch a giant gap within the air because it goes down the street. Sadly, the Armada doesn’t get the lively noise canceling that its sibling the 2025 Infinity QX80 will get.
Whereas the heated, ventilated, and massaging, zero gravity seats within the 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve trim are superb, the PRO-4X doesn’t get the therapeutic massage characteristic. Normal entrance seats on the PRO-4X are 10-way energy with two-way lumbar with warmth. The PRO-4X Premium Bundle comes with 12-way energy with four-way lumbar and air flow and warmth. Irrespective of the way you spec these seats, they’re very snug.
The second-row seats are a bit low for my 32-inch-inseam legs, which causes excessive knees and little leg assist. However, there’s a great deal of leg and headroom within the second row.
An excellent characteristic for automobile tenting, and hauling cargo, is the fold-flat flooring all the best way to the again of the primary row.
And, as with all autos designed with the North American market in thoughts, there are a great deal of cupholders. Particularly, the 2025 Armada PRO-4X will get eight cupholders and 4 extra bottle holders.
Towing
(Photograph/Bryon Dorr)
The dual-turbo V6-powered 2025 Armada retains the identical tow score the 2024 V8-powered Armada provided — 8,500 kilos. That is true throughout all grades, so with each customary and air suspension setups.
The PRO-4X trim comes customary with an built-in trailer brake controller and has a cool trailer mild examine operate from the distant, permitting one particular person to substantiate the trailer lights operate correctly. Additionally, the rear zoom view within the digicam system has a centerline on it, making hitching up a trailer a lot simpler for one particular person.
The tow hitch is discovered below a plastic cowl, detachable by two plastic thumb screws; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
Total, the brand new Armada is a powerful tow machine. However, it does want prolonged tow mirrors, which aren’t out there, and the air suspension within the rear of the car does have a little bit of bounce to it when hooked as much as a heavy trailer.
2025 Armada: Pricing & Availability
(Notice: All costs right here embrace the necessary $2,010 vacation spot and dealing with prices.)
Whereas pricing for the 2025 Armada begins at $58,530 for 2WD and $61,530 for 4WD SV fashions, the PRO-4X begins at $75,750. A top-spec 4WD Platinum Reserve begins at $81,910.
2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X with Premium Bundle; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
The PRO-4X Premium Bundle provides $2,780. It contains 12-way ventilated entrance seats, a panoramic moonroof, an clever sprint cam, heated second-row, a hands-free energy liftgate, and Biometric cooling.
The brand new 2025 Armada is hitting sellers within the subsequent few weeks, simply earlier than 2024 involves an finish.
2025 Armada PRO-4X Assessment Wrap-Up
2025 Armada PRO-4X subsequent to a 1967 Patrol; (photograph/Bryon Dorr)
There may be little to actually complain about with the brand new Armada. It checks all of the bins of a giant individuals/gear mover SUV that may tow and deal with actual off-road terrain with ease. The contact factors inside are all very good, there’s a great deal of passenger area, and the electronics enable for high quality leisure and luxury. Possibly better of all, the car permits you to drive it, versus it all the time desirous to drive itself like many fashionable SUVs.
I’ll complain that it doesn’t put on the Patrol title, however does play off that nameplate’s heritage and is, lastly, the identical car. Apparently, the fairness of the Armada title was deemed extra essential than the Patrol badge to North American customers by the advertising crew at Nissan.
(Photograph/Nissan)
When you do determine to purchase a 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X, I’ve a number of solutions. First, take the operating boards off. Then, put a extra aggressive all-terrain tire and presumably a smaller wheel — if one will match over the brakes. I’d additionally skip the premium bundle, as you don’t really want the glass roof, and whereas ventilated seats are good, they’re not an enormous addition and have perforations that retain mud and grime.
Notice that no NISMO components shall be out there for the 2025 Armada at launch. However, I’m assured many are coming to your native Nissan seller quickly. With the ability to finance high quality components like upgraded skid plates, rock slider/steps, smaller wheels, higher tires, and roof racks shall be a fantastic addition to the shopping for expertise of this thrilling new car.
The one actual massive off-road oriented SUVs on the U.S. market that compete with the 2025 Armada PRO-4X are the GMC Yukon AT4, Ford Expedition Timberline, Toyota Sequoia TRD-Professional, and Lexus LX 700h Overtrail. Every has its professionals and cons, however the brand new Armada holds its personal by way of off-road functionality, towing, tech, consolation, and value. Extra quickly as we get behind the wheel of a few of these new 2025 fashions.
