NASHVILLE: Nissan’s second-generation full-size SUV launches this summer with a much fuller focus on luxury.
The last Armada, though spacious, shared many of its underpinnings with a pickup truck.
But for 2016, everything has more of a true flagship feel about it, from the quality of the cabin to the external styling and levels of equipment on offer. However, it is still at heart a proper off-road vehicle and shouldn’t be confused with a crossover.
“Armada owners will benefit from its underpinnings as a strong, durable and authentic full-size SUV with ruggedness to spare. While most SUVs and crossovers have moved to a sedan-like unibody construction, when you want to tackle big adventures with big groups of family and friends, there’s no substitute for a sturdy steel frame,” said Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.
“We’ve found that families enter the full-size SUV segment before they fully need one. As their needs grow, Armada has more than enough room and strength to meet both current and future family demands.”
So there is seating for up to eight people, a smooth yet powerful 5.6-litre V8 under the bonnet and power goes to the wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.
A choice of rear-seat entertainment packages with monitors and DVD players are available, as is a wide choice of active safety tech including forward and back-up collision warning and intervention control and moving object detection.
Keyword: Nissan sails into new waters with the Armada