The third-gen Nissan Armada arrived as a fully redesigned vehicle in 2025 with a new engine, a new design, new trims, a new cabin, and a renewed focus on being a serious contender in the large segment. While the Armada’s overall formula isn’t dramatically different from other large SUVs that are available, the Armada does things a little differently.
Where other large SUVs look to maximize interior space, the Armada is more concerned about looks. Additionally, the Armada isn’t nearly as comfortable as other SUVs, but it has an inherently sporty feel, even in trims that are marked as being the rugged choice. In a world that’s currently full of gargantuan SUVs, the Armada feels like it’s playing by its own rules, like the sole bottle of 100-proof bourbon in a bar cart filled with gin.
What the 2026 Nissan Armada Gets Right
The Armada that Nissan lent us was the rugged Pro-4X trim. While I wasn’t able to test how capable the Armada Pro-4X is off-road, I did spend most of my week using the SUV how I suspect most owners will use their SUVs – long road trips on the highway and fighting for parking spots in the city. Even with the most annoying driving conditions possible, it’s hard to avoid the Armada’s strengths. The large SUV looks great, has a comfortable cabin, is loaded with attractive features, and is relatively easy to drive.
Serious Road Presence
All large SUVs draw attention on the road, but it’s not always for the right reason. Some look gaudy, others look overly rugged, and then some look like they’re trying too hard. The 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X doesn’t fit into any of these categories. Even for the rugged choice in the lineup, it looks fantastic. It manages to strike a fine balance between having the right rugged touches that match the rest of the SUV’s design to be a good-looking SUV.
Comfortable, Upscale Cabin
I don’t know how many miles I racked up in the 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X, it must have been at least 300, but the SUV’s pleasant interior ensured that I was comfortable. The SUV’s seats are plush and relaxing, while the cabin remains quiet at high speeds. The 12-speaker Klipsch audio system is worth spending extra money for, as it fills the interior with crisp and clear music, regardless of the genre.
As one would expect from such a large SUV, there’s plenty of space in all three rows with the second-row captain’s chairs being more akin to thrones. But I really appreciated the high-end design. The quilted seats are an especially nice touch and the heated seats will roast your bum quicker than an oven roasts a Thanksgiving turkey.
Surprisingly Sporty Demeanor
Large SUVs don’t feel sporty. Sure, the Ford Expedition with the upgraded V6 feels rapid in a straight line, but handling takes a backseat to comfort and towing capacity. The 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X is surprisingly sporty. The SUV doesn’t sway like a boat around corners, the steering is quick, and the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 delivers strong acceleration. The Armada doesn’t feel as quick as the Expedition, but its rating of 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque make it quick enough.
Off-Roading Goodies Galore
While I didn’t get to go off-road in the 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X, I have no trouble believing that it’s a capable machine. It comes jam-packed with the right equipment to tackle rugged terrain with an electronic locking rear differential, an off-road bumper, a heavy-duty skid plate, a two-speed transfer case, four-wheel drive, adaptive air suspension, all-terrain tires, and off-road drive modes.
What the 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X Doesn’t Do Well
Let me preface this section of what the 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X could improve upon by saying that people will love the Armada the way it is. My dad, a staunch Nissan fan, did. My in-laws, who aren’t into SUVs, also did. But I think there’s quite a lot that Nissan needs to work on make the Armada a top contender in the class.
Jittery Ride Quality
There’s no hiding the 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X’s poor ride quality. The SUV, despite coming with adaptive air suspension, all-terrain tires, and smaller 20-inch wheels compared to the rest of the lineup, still has a poor ride. Coming immediately from the Ford Expedition Timberline, the Armada Pro-4X’s ride made it feel like a hardened track vehicle. Large potholes and consistent ruts in the road were immediately translated into the cabin.
Undesirable Powertrain Traits
The 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X’s V6 engine may pump out a good amount of power, but the way it works in conjunction with the nine-speed automatic transmission is slow and dim-witted. It’s not bad when you’re cruising on the highway, but when you need a short burst of acceleration to pass a slower driver or wanting to get a jump on a parking spot, you’re left waiting for a shift to happen and it never seemingly comes.
Despite the move to a V6 from a V8 in the previous generation, the 2026 Armada isn’t efficient. The Pro-4X model we tested has a fuel rating of up to 16 mpg combined, which is a low figure for the class. Additionally, all versions of the Armada require premium fuel, resulting in pricey fill-ups.
Some Confusing Controls
Nissan needs to be applauded for keeping physical controls alive in the 2026 Armada Pro-4X. Most of the SUV’s are controlled by actual dials, buttons, or toggle switches, which are fantastic. The only issue is that the automaker overcomplicated the controls on the steering wheel. The steering wheel has a mix of touch-capacitive controls and a strange dial that’s slightly angled. With the rest of the SUV featuring regular buttons, why couldn’t Nissan put traditional buttons on the steering wheel? I’m also not a huge fan of the push-button controls for the gear shifter, but they are better than a rotary dial.
In the week I was driving the Armada, I could not get the SUV’s infotainment system to work properly. My phone would pair with Apple CarPlay, but phone calls would not work. I could hear people on the phone, but they couldn’t hear me. I tried reconnecting my phone, pairing a different phone, and disconnecting Apple CarPlay, but nothing worked.
Short On Interior Space
The 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X has a generous amount of passenger space, but competitors offer more. The Armada has 32.9 inches of third-row legroom, which is one of the lower figures for the class, while the SUV also trails competitors with just 20.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. If you’re looking for maximum passenger and cargo space, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Verdict
The 2026 Nissan Armada Pro-4X is a mixed bag. On one hand, it looks great, has good performance, comes well-equipped, and has a plush cabin that will make you feel important. But on the other hand, it’s down on interior space, has an uneasy ride quality, has some unpleasant powertrain characteristics, and needs better steering wheel controls. Some people will be willing to overlook these drawbacks because of the way the Armada stands out on the road and the way it makes you feel special when you’re driving it, but in the competitive class, it could use some tweaks to rise from its middling position.
