The 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum Review

Large and in charge, the 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD is a value leader among large Sport Utility Vehicles. Built like a traditional body-on-frame truck, the Armada is roughly as big as its Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota rivals. The fact is, it competes against all of them by offering loads of content for a value price point makes it all the more attractive. Napleton News was quite jazzed at getting to spend a week with the Armada. Here’s what we thought about this Nissan flagship that just happens to be as large as a ship!

What’s so special about this big-rig Nissan Armada?

The 2022 Nissan Armada is a truck-based SUV that thinks it’s a crossover. It’s a full-size, 3-row SUV that can seat up to seven passengers and at the same time tow up to 8,500 pounds. That’s pure truck territory if you ask us!

Power for the 2022 Nissan Armada comes from the award-winning 5.6-liter fuel-injected V8 that delivers 400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm. There’s also 413 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. That’s enough to pull a trailer weighing more than four tons. This is the only powertrain offered and it comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, despite the 5.6-liter’s power, the new Armada would probably not win a fuel-economy challenge anytime soon.

You only have one chance to make a good first impression.

Considering that parameter, the 2022 Nissan Armada makes a great impression on what could arguably be called a senior citizen in the SUV segment. It is available in various trim levels ranging from the base Armada S and moving upscale to the mid-level Armada SV. Next up is the premium Armada SL, which is capped off by the top-shelf Platinum model with all the bells and whistles.

Following a 2021 facelift, the 2022 Armada still ages well, considering it dates to a February 2016 debut at the Chicago Auto Show. It went on sale the following August as a 2017 model. Fast forward and you’ll notice the sideline views of the Armada have changed little through the years. It has a strong, boxy appearance that would do a Frigidaire proud. Its stylized Nissan touchpoints lend a certain ruggedness here, but we can’t help but think it is a well-priced version of the premium Infinity QX80, the Armada’s corporate cousin.

Taking a look inside the 2022 Armada

The 2022 Nissan Armada comes standard with three-row seating that can seat up to seven people. Start with two in the front and three in the middle row. There are two in the way back, although those way back third-row seats may be a squeeze.

The seats appear as though they were lifted from the Infiniti parts bin, loaded with diamond-stitched seating that is both heated and ventilated depending on your needs at various times of the year. There’s a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, along with twin rear seat monitors so the shorties can watch the latest adventures of SpongeBob.

The cargo space is plentiful, depending on how many passengers are along for the ride. There are 16.5 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Fold that third row forward to receive up to 49.9 cubic feet and finally fold both the second and third-row forward to get a total of 95.4 cubic feet. That’s a bunch by anyone’s standards.

What’s standard and what’s available.

The standard 2022 Nissan Armada is well-equipped, even in base form. This includes 18-inch alloy wheels, trailer hitch receivers, power-adjustable front seats, front and rear USB ports, and more. Infotainment systems on all Armadas start with a giant-sized 12.3-inch screen with a Wi-Fi hotspot, Qi Wireless charging, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There’s also the standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of driver assists, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

Nissan Armada Factory Options

A step up from the standard Armada S to the SV will offer valuable features like tinted rear glass, more body-color trim pieces, a Qi wireless charging system, roof rails and a trailer brake controller. Moving further up to the SL trim brings more premium features like 20-inch wheels, LED fog lamps, remote start, a power liftgate, Bose 13-speaker audio system and a 360-degree camera.

The highline Armada Platinum includes 22-inch wheels, chrome trim, and quilted leather seating with first-row heating and ventilation. It adds a heated second row, a rear entertainment system with two wireless headphones, power third-row seating and enhanced safety tech. Incidentally, there is a digital rear-view mirror which is quite clever once you get used to looking at a digital rear-view image.

Behind the wheel

Big and floaty are two words we routinely use to describe the 2022 Nissan Armada Platinum 4WD. Truck-like is another, but we can’t remember many trucks that drive as nicely as this one at the end of the day. So let’s call it a luxury SUV instead. Or a budget-priced cousin to the Infiniti QX80.

The big 5.6-liter 400 horsepower V8 never had us wanting more power, but at times we did hope for a larger fuel tank. But with all the capabilities this luxe SUV offers, you would expect such consumption. Think about it: Where else can you find an SUV that’s able to tow a very truck-like 8,500 pounds and go off-road with ease?

Specs

	2022 Nissan Armada
Popular Powertrains
Engine	5.6-liter GDI V8
Horsepower	400 @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	413 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Fuel Economy	15 mpg (13 city/18 hwy)
Also Available	Various trim packages, 4×2, 4×4
Specs
Warranty	3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Safety Rating	Not Rated
Max Seating Capacity	7
Wheelbase	121.1 inches
Overall Length	208.9 inches
Width	79.9 inches
Height	75.8 inches
Turning Diameter	41.3 feet
Headroom, Front	39.8 inches
Headroom, Rear	40.0 inches
Legroom, Front	41.9 inches
Legroom, Rear	41.0 inches
Shoulder Room, Front	63.8 inches
Shoulder Room, Rear	63.4 inches
Cargo Volume	16.5/49.9/95.4 cubic feet