Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.If someone asked, "Is there anyone in this room who misses large, truck-y SUVs like the old V8-powered Toyota Sequoias?" I'd be one of the first to enthusiastically raise my hand. There was something about those large SUVs that immediately drew me in as a kid. The low-throaty rumble of the V8 engines, the capabilities that came with four-wheel drive, and dimensions large enough to demand a wide berth on the highway. My mom always dreamed of owning a Suburban like Arnold Schwarzenegger drove in Jingle All the Way, and my brother pined after the old Ford Expeditions. So, you could imagine how excited my inner child was when I was set to review a 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve. I was a bit sad to learn this was the generation Nissan decided to replace the old Titan V8 wih a twin-turbo V6, but everything else was promising. It was so big it barely fit in my driveway, but the interior felt Lexus-esque, so I remained optimistic. For the first couple of days, the $85K SUV felt like a dream boat. By the time my week with it was over, though, I discovered one potentially dangerous flaw, with a few other less dangerous but equally annoying factors. AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Road Ethos Launches: The New Automotive Lifestyle Site You Should ReadI'll give you the good news firstThankfully, the twin-turbo V6 under the Armada's acre-long hood has plenty of gusto to move the apartment-sized SUV to and fro, without any hassle whatsoever. It didn't affect the towing rating, either, with a powerful rating of up to 8,500 lbs. More than enough to tow your family's fifth wheeler, camper, or boat with ease. There was plenty of get-up-and-go, and to my delight, it still emits an amazing sound if you have to hit the gas with a bit of enthusiasm. For how big it is, it absolutely does not feel like a slouch. In fact, a quick Google search revealed that the six-cylinder is actually more powerful than the old V8, by 25 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque.Power aside, the interior was so thoughtfully and beautifully done. The beige, quilted leather, soft and varying touch points, seamless screen display, large, open windows, and some of the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced in a large SUV made it such a joy to drive. Even if I was stuck in traffic. Nissan's software is on par with Hyundai or Kia as far as intuitiveness and ease-of-use, which for families definitely helps ease some of the stress we're constantly under when the kids are in the car. The Platinum Reserve trim comes with a Bose sound system, too, with a full subwoofer, so on the few occasions I did get to drive alone, the sound system was my favorite. Kristen BrownNissan also included one of the coolest (and most practical) features on an SUV that size: Invisible Hood View. By stitching the feeds from the exterior cameras into one view, you get a clear image of what's directly under and in front of the engine bay. Since the hood of the Armada is so large I could probably charge rent for it, it was immensely helpful when pulling into my sloped driveway. I can see it being an asset off-road, too. Paired with the tight, responsive steering, instantly available power, and excellent visibility (or cameras to bridge the gap), the Armada was so much easier to drive than I thought it'd be.Pricing deserves its own section before the bad newsThe Nissan Armada, even for 2026, is a very truck-y body-on-frame SUV, and because it's so freakin' huge, there are only a handful of comparable competitors out there. And the few competitors it does have, the Armada hits a home run against every single one of them when it comes to features for the price. There are four trims of the Armada, starting with the $58,840 2WD SV base model. The Platinum Reserve represents the price ceiling with a starting price of $80,550. Incredibly, the NISMO 4×4, which is regarded as the "Most Powerful Armada Yet," is less expensive, with a base MSRP of $79,530. That sounds like a lot, and for most families, it is. But not when it comes to how much its competitors cost:AdvertisementAdvertisementChevy Tahoe: $60,700–$80,700Chevy Suburban: $63,700–$83,700Ford Expedition: $63,600–$82,695GMC Yukon: $69,600–$103,900Toyota Sequoia: $56,725–$86,135Jeep Grand Cherokee: $64,690–$100,310As you can see, the only SUV that has a lower base price is the Toyota Sequoia. But if you plan to use the Sequoia's third row for anything except for punishment or emergency carpool situations, you will be sorely disappointed. Granted, the Chevys get Super Cruise (for three years, then you have to pay a monthly or yearly fee), and the Ford gets BlueCruise (similar story), but the Armada is so far ahead of the others when it comes to driving feel, horsepower, comfort, and interior comfort. Plus, the ProPILOT Assist System is impressive. I am not in the market for a 3-row mansion-on-wheels, but if I were, the Armada would be an easy choice. Especially since my husband, who spent nearly 20 years as an ASE Certified Advanced Level Specialist, says the Nissan would be the only one he'd trust in the long-term. Related: Driving the Nissan Armada Pro4X Cross Country While Towing: Here's What HappenedNow for the badBecause I liked the Armada so much, this section was a tough one—but it's part of the job. Because the 6,078 lb. SUV uses most of the engine's torque just to start from a stop and keep it moving, the mileage was pretty terrible. I averaged about 17.8 MPG around town, and a measly 19 MPG on the highway. It was even worse when I had my family on board, and I can't imagine how low it would be if you were towing anything (which would be easy, given its 8,500 lb rating). In California, where regular costs over $6 per gallon everywhere you look, that makes an $80K SUV a bit harder to rationalize. Granted, it's not bad for an SUV that size, but it's something worth bringing up. NissanWhile the third row seats were comfortable and there was plenty of legroom for my husband (6'1") and me (5'8"), the power folding function is downright dangerous. After the Hyundai power folding seat incident, I always like to test the power folding seats in the 3-row SUVs I review. The Armada's power folding seat still worked when my 200-lb husband was sitting in it, and even when he pushed against the seat, it continued to fold. It ended up pushing his knees into the second row seat, and didn't stop until he lifted his finger from the button. If it were a child, like what we saw happen in the Hyundai Palisade, that could quickly and easily result in a serious injury or death. We were both very, very disappointed.Final thoughtsWhen it comes to full-sized 3-row SUVs, the Armada was my favorite. It gives families everything they need, without all the fluff you get in the other more expensive options. It's old-fashioned in the best of ways, feeling like the old Toyota Sequoias I grew up with. I loved its power, capabilities, and Goldilocks technology. But I can't get over that power folding mishap in the third row. That felt like a break-up over text; we were both so disappointed to see that. If it weren't for that, I could easily get over the subpar mileage. But that was just the icing on the cake. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.