2022 Nissan Armada

The price of the Nissan Armada begins at an MSRP of $48,900 for the S, increasing to $52,900 for the SV trim. The SL will cost $56,710, going up to $58,700 for the Midnight Edition. The top-spec Platinum has an MSRP of $65,300. Adding a 4WD system to all trim levels costs an additional $3,000. These prices exclude a $1,495 destination and handling fee.

While Nissan USA removes most of the serious off-road mechanical bits, the Armada remains a car that was designed to spend a large chunk of its life off the beaten path. It floats pretty well over imperfections, but you can feel the Armada's bones are a decade-old based on how the vehicle rocks like a boat when it rolls over large dips. As we found on our test drive, the suspension setup is compliant around town, so the kids certainly won't be complaining about potholes and such.

That being said, the Armada is still a body-on-frame SUV. It tries hard but fails to disguise its humble roots on the freeway. The Armada doesn't feel dangerous, but the steering is vague at highway speeds. There's also a noticeable dead spot in the steering when it's pointed straight ahead. We initially thought this was limited to our test car, but some research reveals that it's pretty much standard. Though the steering feels vague on-center, it provides pretty nice feedback after initial turn in; a positive side effect of the older steering setup.

Treat it gently, and the Armada should be a good long-distance cruiser. As for off-roading, the Armada can handle more than most, but it is limited by the lack of locking differentials. Add aftermarket units, and you'd be surprised what this car can do. Without the differential lockers, it's still outstanding in soft sand. We've been lucky enough to drive an Armada in Dubai's dunes, and it's ridiculous how easily this large SUV just laughs in the face of humongous dunes. In low range, with the tires running a barely discernible psi, it feels unstoppable. Out there, you also realize why the steering is so vague. Dune driving requires a lot of steering input. You basically sit there hoofing it, sawing away at the steering wheel. If the Armada had a faster, more direct rack, the Dubai desert would be lined with toppled Armadas. Locally, the Armada is perfectly capable of handling snow and rain. The permanent 4x4 system ensures power is always going to the front and rear, giving you massive amounts of confidence in slippery conditions.

Before it was refreshed last year, the Nissan Armada belonged firmly near the bottom of the full-size SUV class, down with the equally outdated Toyota Sequoia. Newer options like the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer simply outclassed the Armada under the hood and inside the cabin. With its latest update, the 2022 Nissan Armada finally becomes somewhat competitive, though we'd struggle to call it best-in-class. Buyers will enjoy ample standard power, strong standard features, capable towing capability, and handsome changes for the exterior and interior. It's also less expensive than the American competitors, which is a nice bonus.

If money was no object, we are more impressed with higher trim variants of the Tahoe, Yukon, Expedition, and Wagoneer. As for the Toyota Sequoia, Nissan's updates firmly put the Armada ahead in our eyes. However, if you are a budget-conscious buyer who wants the best bang for their buck, a reasonable argument can be made for the 2022 Armada and its standard 400-hp engine. The 2022 Nissan Armada is a competent full-size SUV, it's just not the one we'd rant and rave about.

If we were in the market for a 2022 Nissan Armada, there are two trim levels we'd consider. The Midnight Edition offers stealthy styling and strong features starting at $58,700 for the 2WD or $61,700 for the 4WD. Although it's the most expensive in the lineup, the Armada Platinum is less expensive than a loaded full-size American SUV, starting at $65,300 for the 2WD model or $68,300 for the 4WD version. We feel the Platinum is up to par with the "luxury" Infiniti QX80, so it's kind of a bargain at its starting price.

The 2021 QX80 was an ergonomic nightmare on the inside. The screen was awkwardly placed, the dash sat at a weird angle, and for some reason, Infiniti placed the rather handsome analog clock in a spot where it's not easily visible. Thankfully, it received the same updates as the Armada, resulting in a much nicer and more user-friendly interface for the 2022 model year. But the QX80 has a big problem. It's based on the Armada, right down to the suspension, gearbox, and engine. When you look at the two interiors side-by-side, you have to wonder why the Infiniti costs so much more. It does have a few more standard features like tri-zone climate control and wireless charging, but the base model starts at over $70,000 - over $20,000 more than the base Armada. Style-wise, the QX80 looks like an unwanted wart compared to Nissan's new rugged appearance. As a final nail in the coffin, you can get a top-spec Platinum Armada for around the same price as a base QX80. We'd spend our money at Nissan.

As we state in our full Sequoia review, it's a rolling fossil. The current car dates back to 2007, so Nissan doesn't have to try hard to beat it. Nissan's 5.6-liter V8 (400 hp and 413 lb-ft) easily trumps Toyota's 5.7-liter V8 which produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. Its six-speed automatic doesn't help get the most out of the powertrain either. The Nissan can also tow 1,100 lbs more than the Sequoia. The Toyota's interior is also a mess, while the outside is dated enough to be generic. It's best described as just some SUV on four wheels. Toyota fanboys will point to the Sequoia's renowned reliability, but the Nissan is hardly an Italian car, is it? There is one proviso, however. If you intend to head off-road, you have to go for the Sequoia. The TRD Pro comes with a bunch of off-road performance upgrades that make it nearly unstoppable. If you don't require a hardcore 4x4, go with the Armada.