Jump LinksMany mainstream manufacturers today focus far too much on technology to sell their full-size SUVs, emphasizing massive touchscreens and complex software menus. And perhaps that's why some older full-size SUVs tend to look and feel expensive in the modern era, as their designers tended to focus more on interiors instead. In those days, the concept of luxury tended to mean wood, leather, detail, padding, and sheer physical presence rather than trick technology. And that's what makes vehicles like the 2013-2015 Nissan Armada and its more upscale sibling, the Infiniti QX56 and QX80, so interesting.The Armada was the rugged, mainstream Nissan in this pairing, a body-on-frame V8 brute, while the Infiniti version took the idea even further, offering a genuinely rich interior. Together, they represent a very compelling SUV family in the used market, and they're perfectly capable of delivering a cabin experience that many so-called luxury machines today can’t match. The Infiniti Cabin Is The Answer InfinitiAs the luxury player in the family, Infiniti really went to town on the QX56 and QX80, building on the same big traditional full-size SUV formula but significantly improving the appeal. Both the 2013 QX56 and the 2014–2015 QX80 gave you the sort of cabin that many automakers seem to have moved away from now.Occupants got a broad, commanding dashboard, semi-aniline leather, thickly padded surfaces, wood trim, tri-zone climate control, and an analog clock. Customers could also have heated and cooled front seats, second-row captain's chairs, power-folding third-row seating, and solid tactile switchgear for the driver up front.In 2015, Infiniti further refined the idea, and the Limited model pushed the formula to even greater heights. You could now get truffle brown semi-aniline leather, open-pore matte ash wood, leather-wrapped grab handles, unique quilting, and ultra suede on the pillars and headliner. And with that genuinely rich mix of materials and presentation, it's no surprise that these SUVs hold up so well now.While many newer luxury SUVs look more modern, they can be less opulent in general and far less indulgent once you turn off the screens. By contrast, the old Infiniti feels expensive in the places that matter, and you can immediately see why the vehicles commanded the prices that they did. The Armada Supplied The Tough DNA NissanThe Infiniti may have looked great, but it also worked particularly well due to the underpinnings. The SUV sat on the same old-school, full-size, body-on-frame construction as the 2010-2015 Armada, which was already a proven package. The Armada came with a standard 5.6-liter Endurance V8 that produced 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The powerplant connected to a five-speed automatic. You could get seating for up to eight, and it could tow 9,000 pounds when properly equipped.Certain Armada versions also had features like automatic self-leveling rear air suspension, and all said, this was a solid mainstream SUV, not some kind of pretending crossover. While Nissan didn't position the Armada to be plush and over the top by any means, it did give it an attractive and comfortable interior. Infiniti may have laid on more leather, technology, and polish, but Nissan provided the stage for that excess with its Armada. Big V8s Gave Both Real Authority InfinitiAs solid or spectacular as they felt inside, both SUVs relied on substantial performance to succeed. Both the QX56 and the QX80 used Nissan's 5.6-liter direct-injected V8 with VVEL, giving them 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. You could get four-wheel drive on some models, with hydraulic body motion control. Fuel economy was predictably poor at 14 miles per gallon city, 20 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined.If you wanted a real luxury hauler with lots of effortless power in reserve, the QX models could also move along quite respectably, with the QX56 getting to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the QX80 recording 6.3 seconds in a separate independent test. That's not too bad for a three-row, body-on-frame luxury SUV that weighs more than 5,600 lb., and it was competitive enough in its class.The Armada had a slightly less powerful V8 than the Infiniti, and a five-speed automatic versus the Infiniti's seven-speed, to be more clearly old school. However, it still delivered plenty of torque-rich performance and could impress on the highway in its own way. You could say that the Armada was more of a straightforward offering, while the Infiniti had high levels of refinement as well as some additional performance tuning. Where Values Get Wild InfinitiWhen it was new, the 2015 Nissan Armada carried a starting price of $38,510, and you'd have to pay $53,775 for a Platinum 4WD model. Meanwhile, the Infiniti QX80 started at $63,250, rising to about $88,850 for a full-spec Limited package.Today, the CarBuzz marketplace shows that you can find 2015 Nissan Armadas for around $11,000, and even 2015 Infiniti QX80 listings seem to be around the low-to-mid teens. Higher mileage QX80s could be as low as $8,000, and you may be able to buy a full-spec Limited model for less than you'd spend on an ordinary compact crossover. That seems to be excellent value, especially in Infiniti form, where you're also going to get that richer, imposing cabin.If you start to look for one of these examples, bear in mind your ownership costs. These are heavy and complex vehicles and can be quite thirsty at the pump. You should also insist on a vehicle with good service records and trust that previous owners played their part well. But if you can find a good example, you may be paying very reasonable money for a vehicle of this size with that towing muscle, interior presence, and V8 character. Newer SUVs Often Feel Lesser NissanWhen these period Armadas and QX SUVs first strutted their stuff, these full-size models were meant to be physically substantial, with layered dashboards, broad seats, and controls with real buttons. Most manufacturers would choose materials to create a sense of comfort and occasion, and not follow the mantra of "less is more." And the Armada delivered a stout package in mainstream Nissan form, while the Infiniti version went much further to transform the idea into something old-school and luxurious.By contrast, many newer luxury SUVs feel rather underwhelming today. They may certainly be efficient and connected, and undoubtedly more advanced, but much of their luxury seems to come through interface design rather than the richness of the cabin. Perhaps importantly, this Nissan and Infiniti family is just old enough to avoid an overly digitized aesthetic. You can still get premium audio, rear entertainment, navigation, and advanced safety features, and those are really the core conveniences that buyers actually want. Perhaps these vehicles strike a better balance, and this is why a good used example today could be so attractive. The Smart Buy Is Obvious InfinitiBoth the Armada and the Infiniti are relevant to this story, although if you're looking for a truly rich interior, then the Infiniti obviously wins the argument. The Armada is the mainstream workhorse, offering a simple, rugged, and useful approach with V8 power. But the QX56 and QX80 represent the luxury expressions of the full-size SUV formula, with interiors that make many newer luxury vehicles feel underdressed.On each side of the fence, there’s a member of this forgotten Nissan SUV family that contributes to the overall tale. On the one side, you've got rugged mainstream capability and credibility, but on the other, you've got the type of interior decadence that many automakers no longer bother to build.