2014 Nissan Armada

The mid-level 2014 Armada SL trim will be the best choice for buyers who want to keep the budget within $50,000. Equip this trim with a 4x4 drivetrain to relish the maximum potential of the powerful Armada SUV. The SL trim unlocks an auto-leveling rear suspension which comes in handy while hauling heavy cargo items.

Following Nissan’s nomenclature as all other vehicles in its lineup, the 2014 Nissan Armada is offered in 3 trim levels to choose from. They include the base SV trim, the middle-ground SL trim, and the top-of-the-line Platinum trim. Prices for the same range from $37,590 to $52,680 for the Platinum trim. Each trim gets a standard V8 powertrain with RWD as standard. 4WD is available as an optional upgrade for each trim. An overview of the features of all trim levels is as follows:

On the feature front, all of the said trims get the latest features available, with the base SV trim settling for 18-inch alloys, dual-zone automatic climate control, and rear climate controls, whereas the top-end Platinum model receives 20-inch chrome alloys, heated second-row seats, and a7-inch touchscreen display. Also available are two packages, including the Driver package and the top-tier Platinum Reserve package.

Full-size SUVs aren’t particularly known for the virtue of having a frugal fuel economy. The 2014 Nissan Armada fuel economy numbers show that the SUV is no exception to this rule. The Armada can drive around the city with an EPA estimate of 13 MPG. EPA estimated that the 2014 Armada can return an MPG of 19 on the highways. This leads to an abysmal combined MPG of 15. With the Armada’s gigantic 28-gallon fuel tank capacity, the SUV offers a decent city mileage of 364 miles and highway mileage of 532 miles.

While the above figures applied to the rear-wheel-drive trim level, the 4x4 results in even lower fuel economy ratings. According to the EPA, the 4x4 Armada can only return an MPG of 12 in the city and 18 on the interstate. While this class may not be the most friendly in terms of fuel economy, the Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition do offer some respite to the customers in terms of fuel economy. Both the SUVs offer respectable MPG numbers compared to the fuel-guzzlers from Nissan and Toyota.

The 2014 Nissan Armada interior complements its massive size on the outside. The fully functional interiors are designed to adapt to various needs, be it chauffeuring around 8 passengers or hauling a lot of cargo. The driving position can be adjusted very well with the adjustable steering column, which makes it very convenient for small drivers. Inside, the small controls and delicate buttons give out a suburban feel. Nissan has put in a lot of effort to make the Armada look upmarket, but the tacky plastics and interior trimmings still feel outdated. The seats are placed at a convenient height so that the driver can have a commanding view of the road. The second-row seats also allow three adults to be seated comfortably thanks to the generous headroom and legroom.

The popular bucket seat configuration for the 2nd-row seats is also available if you wish to give the 2nd-row passengers a more chauffeured feel. The third-row seats allow small adults to fit in just snugly. For taller adults though, the limited headroom and legroom in the 3rd-row can be a nuisance. The Nissan Armada’s interior dimensions are adequate enough for your family to feel comfortable. The 2014 Armada delivers 20 cu. ft of cargo space behind the 3rd-row of seats. If the 3rd-row seats aren’t in use, fold them down to free up 56.7 cubic feet. If you are planning to use the Armada only for hauling cargo, fold down all the rear rows to get a maximum cargo space of 97.1 cubic feet.

The Nissan Armada is a rather archaic SUV compared to other rivals in terms of available infotainment features. The base model only gets the basic tech bits like an AM/FM/CD player, USB port, cruise control, and Bluetooth. The top-of-the-line Armada Platinum trim gets all the tech goodies like a navigation system with real-time traffic and a DVD entertainment system for the rear passengers. The Armada still misses out on advanced gizmo like voice-activated controls and HD Radio.

The 2014 Nissan Armada offers all the raw exterior styling dynamics that make you fall in love with a full-size SUV in the first place. The SUV looks macho, massive, and oversized from every angle. A simple and rugged design conveys the mean personality of the Armada, a trait that you won’t find on most SUVs on the road today. The Armada is an instantly recognizable sight on the streets, with its overly exaggerated fender flares and wheel wells. However, not many car enthusiasts are a fan of the Armada’s notchy roofline or funky door handles. Nissan’s 3-opening chrome grille grabs the eyeballs away from some of the tacky aspects of the SUV.

The Nissan Armada isn’t ashamed of showcasing its massive presence on the streets, as it stands out as the largest full-size SUV in its class. Its bulky exterior dimensions add a lot of character to the SUV’s massive personality. The Toyota Sequoia is a perfect rival of the Armada with its bulky and huge exterior dimensions along with its distinctive muscular appeal as well. The Chevrolet Tahoe looks and feels slightly compact as compared to the Japanese SUVs. The Ford Expedition has the least interesting yet distinctive American exterior appeal owing to its chunky and boxy design language.

Some of the standout exterior features are as follows:

• Sunroof
• Power liftgate
• Auto-leveling rear suspension
• Heated power outside mirrors
• Rear privacy glass

In terms of safety, the 2014 Nissan Armada gets very basic safety amenities. Dual front, side, and curtain airbags are offered as standard, with the curtain bags now adding an extra layer of protection for all three rows of occupants. The Armada also includes standard safety features like electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, which are a prerequisite in every vehicle in the U.S. nowadays. The Armada also offers extra parking assistance by equipping rear parking sensors as standard.

Optional safety upgrades include a rearview camera. Unfortunately, blind-spot monitors and lane-keeping techs aren’t yet available on the Armada. When it comes to the crash safety tests, the Armada didn't get an opportunity to get itself properly tested, as the federal agency NHTSA just changed its rating systems in the 2011 model year. The insurance agency IIHS didn’t test out the 2014 Nissan Armada either.

2014 Nissan Armada vs 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe

The aging Nissan Armada faces stiff rivalry in its class from equally-sized SUVs, and the most prominent one is the Chevrolet Tahoe. The Tahoe also rides on a truck-based platform but surprises with its ride comfort and cargo space when compared to the Armada. The Armada has an edge over the Tahoe in terms of maximum towing capacity due to its higher torque rating and that’s about it. The Chevy Tahoe makes a better option against the Armada.

2014 Nissan Armada vs 2014 Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition ranks among the top full-sized family movers in the market that gets its underpinnings from a truck. The Expedition is challenged by its peers from General Motors as well as the Armada and it takes a middle ground. It is slightly more fuel-efficient than the Armada and has a better overall appeal but lacks a bit in terms of cabin space. The cargo capacity is almost similar to the Armada’s capacity, and the competition hangs in a tie in between the Armada and the Expedition.

The 2014 Nissan Armada is an aging SUV, which is well beyond a decade compared to newer utes from GM and Ford. The Armada uses that aging charisma to its advantage, with its masculine full-size body wrapped around a roomy interior. Its big ol’ V8 is still capable enough to blow away most of its rivals, although fuel-conscious customers won’t be too happy with its MPG numbers. The old-school interiors still feel charming and comfortable to be seated in for your family. The Armada packs in a bunch of features at all trim levels for added driver convenience and comfort, although there haven’t been any groundbreaking additions in recent years. In a nutshell, the 2014 Nissan Armada is still a trusty old dog, but there are better options out there that you may want to consider.