2015 Nissan Armada

The base SV trim of the 2015 Nissan Armada feels like a bare-bone version of the SUV. Thus, we recommend you go with the SL trim, which is priced at an MSRP of $43,600, as it offers the best value for your money. It adds features such as a power liftgate which makes everyday usage easy and convenient. Also, premium features like the Bose audio system are a nice upgrade from the base trim 8-speaker unit that sounds meek.

The 2015 Nissan Armada is available in three different variants; SV, SL, and Platinum, with prices ranging from an MSRP of $38,510 to $49,880. All trims come with either a rear-wheel-drive system or a four-wheel-drive system. The optional 4WD system comes at a premium of $3000 on top of the base price. All trims also come with the same 5.6-liter V8 that is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Features such as satellite radio, an eight-speaker audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and a USB port, are all standard across the trim lineup. Available optional features include an 11-speaker Bose audio system, a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and in-built navigation.

Further, the SL trim includes all of the said features as standard, including the ones like auto-leveling rear suspension and a DVD entertainment system. Moving up to the Platinum trim will only get you premium features such as the 7-inch touchscreen display, and captain's chairs instead of the bench seats. Further, a Platinum Reserve package is also available, that adds dark chrome 20-inch alloys, and two-tone leather upholstery.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the 2015 Nissan Armada is not the most pocket-friendly SUV that you can get. The 2015 Armada returns 13 MPG in the city, 19 MPG over the highway, and a combined fuel efficiency figure of 16 MPG. These numbers are with the RWD setup, while with the 4WD setup, the figures drop down by 1 MPG. Combine that with a 28-gallon fuel tank, and the Armada is good for about 468 miles between fill-ups. While these are not the best numbers in its class, these are not the worst as well, thanks to the Toyota Sequoia. Due to the low fuel efficiency figure, Nissan has equipped the Armada with a larger than average fuel tank.

As can be seen from the data above, none of the SUVs are meant to be that pocket-friendly. However, the Toyota Sequoia is the worst offender here with its heavy curb weight and a big engine. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the most fuel-efficient SUV here and also offers the best in class range on a full tank. Its figure of 23 MPG in the city is commendable, thanks to its relatively light curb weight.

This is where the Nissan Armada begs for an upgrade. While the interior of the SUV is spacious and comfortable, it lacks the refinement of its rivals. Some materials used on the inside feel cheap and hard plastics can be found in some places. However, for the most part, in terms of quality, the Armada feels upscale. A dashboard is an old-school unit that is spilled with physical buttons. The overall layout of the buttons and knobs is quite practical and reaching any button is simple and easy. Due to the high ride height, the overall visibility is quite good and spotting obstacles is not difficult.

The seats provide good overall support and adequate side bolstering keeps you in one place even on sharp corners. Nissan has engineered the seats to provide maximum comfort and thus the cushioning is neither too hard nor too soft. Thus, undertaking long-haul trips inside the cabin of the Armada is quite a comfortable experience. The cabin offers ample storage space to store your small items, however, the glove compartment is not very spacious but is lockable. In terms of cargo capacity, the Nissan Armada is at par with most of its rivals, with 16.5 cu. ft. However, the high-loading lip makes it tough to load heavy items into the boot.

The 2015 Nissan Armada comes with a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with navigation as standard. However, it feels outdated and is slow in terms of responsiveness. It still does not get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility which is a bummer as the stock navigation app is quite limited in terms of capabilities. The reliance on physical buttons is both a boon and a bane as it makes it convenient to operate the screen but looks quite cluttered.

Some of the infotainment features on offer are-

• 7-inch Touchscreen 
• USB connection
• Speed sensitive volume control
• CD Player
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth
• HD Radio
• Rearview camera

In terms of the exterior design, the 2015 Nissan Armada does not try to hide its old-school roots. The boxy appeal of the Armada looks outdated but imposing in many ways. Strong character lines and a wide footprint help it enhance the bold look. The rectangular headlights with clear-lens halogen bulbs add a bit of contemporary appeal which is missing in the overall design. The big grille with hexagon-shaped black inserts makes it look rugged. From the sides, it is evident that the Armada has been derived from a pick-up truck.

Furthermore, the Armada gets new 20-inch wheels in both SL and Platinum trim. Also, two new exterior colors also add onto the color palette. In comparison, the Nissan Armada is the longest SUV here. On the other hand, the Toyota Sequoia offers the best in class road presence, thanks to its larger physical dimensions. The Chevrolet Tahoe is the smallest of the bunch followed while the Sequoia is the heaviest. The interesting thing to note here is that the Tahoe is the widest SUV here.

Few major exterior features include-

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• A full-size spare Automatic LED headlights (low-beam only)
• Roof rails
• Side steps
• Rear privacy glass
• Rearview camera
• Front/rear parking sensors

The Nissan Armada is not really known for setting any benchmark when it comes to safety. The SUV packs a lot of safety kits, especially in its base trim. As the price tag has been kept quite affordable, the Armada does not offer much in terms of advanced driver aids as well. Its old school platform that is based on a pick-up truck fails to impress in terms of keeping its passengers safe. Thus, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2015 Armada three stars out of five in the rollover tests which is lower than all its rivals.

Other salient safety features include:

• Lane Keep Assist
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Monitoring System
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Traction Control with ABS and EBD
• Rear Cross-Traffic alert

The 2015 Nissan Armada is a rugged and quite an off-road capable vehicle. For an affordable price tag, it offers a spacious cabin and a lot of grunt under its hood. However, its drawbacks stem from its age-old platform and outdated interiors. It certainly needs to be improved when it comes to safety as well as features. The 2015 model year is Armada’s last iteration before a major redesign. Hence, we recommend you wait another year to get your hand on the new and improved 2016 Armada.