2023 Nissan Armada Performance

All Armadas are equipped with a naturally-aspirated 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. All trim levels are available with rear-wheel drive (4x2) or as a 4x4 with high and low range. Unfortunately, the Armada isn't equipped with many advanced off-roading features.

Nissan doesn't provide 0 to 60 mph or top speed figures because it's completely irrelevant. If you must know, the less powerful, pre-facelift Armada could hit 60 in under six seconds according to independent tests, so it's certainly fast enough. We can tell you that despite the weight penalty, the Armada gets up to speed with vigor. It's kind of like watching an NFL lineman running the 40-yard dash; unexpected yet impressive. It can also cruise at the top legal speed all day long, but you can hear it guzzling down gas at a rapid rate. Nissan claims a towing capacity of 8,500 lbs across the range which is strong but not class-leading for the category. Trailer Sway Control is standard from the SL upwards, while Trailer Brake Control is standard from SV upwards. The new Toyota Sequoia can tow up to 9,520 lbs, by comparison. That figure will matter to the towing crowd, as it's the difference between leaving the jet ski at home or dragging it along on the family vacation.

As mentioned, the old-school 5.6-liter received a power boost last year. It's nowhere near enough to notice, but the 400 hp and 413 lb-ft outputs are good for the segment, although there are more powerful rivals to choose from.

These big V8 lumps tend to provide more grunt at lower rpm, but the Armada's 413 lb-ft only arrives at 4,000 rpm. The Armada never feels slow or hesitant, but you can't help but glance over at the power output of the new Toyota Land Cruiser and its twin-turbo V6. It produces 479 lb-ft of torque. We know the new Land Cruiser isn't available in the US, but the engine will end up in the new Lexus LX and possibly other models in the future.

The seven-speed automatic gearbox is equally old-school, but it's still modern enough to not be annoying. It's a bit lazy to kick down, but the car hurls forward accompanied by a faint V8 burble when it does. Most manufacturers engineer large luxury SUVs to be sensory deprivation tanks, and Nissan does the same. The cabin does allow some of that satisfying V8 noise to siphon in when you push it hard, which is somewhat gratifying. It somehow makes the fuel bills less damaging to the soul.

The Armada SUV is far from frugal. Look, it was never going to be good news. A big SUV with a lump of old-school V8 under the hood would never receive an award from Greenpeace. According to the EPA, the 2WD Armada is capable of 14/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined. Adding 4WD takes the gas mileage estimates down to 13/18/15 mpg. We averaged 15.7 mpg in our most recent 4WD tester. By comparison, the new Toyota Sequoia has ditched its V8 and now gets up to 22 mpg combined.

Thankfully, the Armada has a large 26-gallon tank, which limits visits to the gas station. The 2WD model can theoretically do 416 miles before needing a refill, while the 4WD can go 390 miles before needing gas. Depending on how much driving you do, the Armada's consumption means it'll be quite expensive to run.