Armada

Make
Nissan
Segment
SUV

While many manufacturers are downsizing and doing away with their larger engines, the Nissan Armada continues to source power from its archaic VK56VD naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8. It looks like the Japanese brand plans on changing this when it introduces the next generation of this model line. The large SUV was refreshed just over a year ago but we could see an all-new model as soon as 2023.

According to information sourced by Automotive News, a dealer well informed on the upcoming product has detailed that the brand has plans to use a variation of its existing twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine, which is a similar decision made by Toyota with its Sequoia. Nissan was unavailable to comment on the matter.

The refreshed Armada received an updated design that included an advanced pair of LED headlights. The interior was also brought into the modern digital age with the application of a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a seven-inch Advanced Driver Assist Display mounted to the instrument cluster.

The aforementioned powertrain also got a touch more power which saw the 390-horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque figure increase to 400 hp and 413 lb-ft. Available with rear-wheel drive or a 4x4 system using a seven-speed automatic transmission, it boasts a towing capability of 8,500 lbs. The consumption of the former is comically poor with an EPA-estimated rating of 13/18/15 mpg city/highway/combined.

With the decision to remove this engine from the Armada, the Titan will be the last production vehicle that can be had with the VK56VD. There's a chance that this might not be the case for too long though as there have already been reports that Nissan is planning on discontinuing this model line altogether once the generation comes to an end.

If true, the Frontier will act as the company's solo truck offering. Based on the brand's 2021 sales report, this would be a logical choice as it outsold the Titan by more than two-to-one. This is despite it being introduced in the third quarter of the sales year.