2019 Nissan Armada Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2019 Nissan Armada is a large, four-door SUV with a rear hatch for the cargo area. It comes in four different trim levels and a couple of different configurations. The Armada offers a powerful engine and great performance. This SUV also provides plenty of room for both passengers and cargo. All versions of the Armada can seat up to seven or eight people. You have 16.5 cubic-feet of storage space with all of the seats in their default positions. When properly configured, you get a massive 95.4 cubic-feet of cargo space.

Most trim packages give you two options for the seating configuration. When you select a second-row bench seat, you can fit all eight passengers in the Armada. You can also opt for two captain's chairs for the second row. This does cut the seat capacity down to seven, but it provides for a very comfortable ride quality. Which setup is best for you depends on how many passengers you will regularly need to transport around.

All four trim levels of the Nissan Armada come in either a 4X2 or all-wheel drive configuration. Nissan offers only one power-train option at all levels. This begins with a powerful V-8 engine. The 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve engine produces 390 horsepower and 394 pounds-feet of torque. This gets you great acceleration for a vehicle of this size and weight even when packed with people and cargo. All of that power and torque means that the Armada has great towing abilities too. When properly set up, the Armada can tow an impressive 8,500 pounds.

The V-8 engine is paired with a 7-speed manual-transmission system. It features overdrive and a manual-shift mode. This lets you move up and down through the gears manually in those situations where you need to. This system also gives you downshift rev matching. This helps to ensure smooth and accurate gear changes, even when you're manually shifting yourself. The manual transmission does its job well and tends to shift into the right gear in every situation. Hill-Start Assist is equipped on every model of the Nissan Armada too.

All Armada trims have the same braking system. You get Nissan's 4-wheel anti-lock brakes. Both the front and rear disc brakes are vented. Electronic Brake Force Distribution makes sure that stopping power is applied equally to all four wheels. A Brake-Assist System is also added in for every model of the Armada. This helps with braking in the event of an impending collision. The Armada brake system provides amazing stopping power considering the vehicle's overall weight.

Having the same engine and transmission system means having the same fuel-economy rating. All trims have a combined rating of 16 miles-per-gallon for the 4X2 version and 15 miles-per-gallon for models with all-wheel drive. This is an average for combined driving in the city and on the highway. The fuel tank holds around 26 gallons of regular gasoline. The Armada can carry a maximum payload of approximately 1,560 pounds.

Steering and handling are tight and accurate for the Nissan Armada. Models with all-wheel drive perform great even on slick pavement or over rough terrain. All-wheel drive gives the Armada some modest off-road capabilities as well. The suspension system provides for a smooth ride that soaks up most of what the road throws at this SUV. There is independent, double-wishbone suspension for the front and rear of the vehicle. It is also equipped with stabilizer bars up front and in the back. The rear suspension is auto-leveling.

Now that we've covered common features across all trims, you may be wondering what the differences are. These mostly come down to convenience, comfort and safety features. The extra bells and whistles set each trim level apart. We will take an in-depth look at what each trim level has to offer. We will compare each trim to the next level up as well as to the previous levels. With this information, it should be easier to decide which model of the 2019 Nissan Armada is right for you.

Compare the 2019 Nissan Armada SV vs SL Trims. What is the difference?

The SV is your base-model trim level for the 2019 Nissan Armada. It is available in six different exterior colors. These are Brilliant Silver, Forged Copper, Gun Metallic, Hermosa Blue, Mocha Almond and Super Black. The SL model and all subsequent trim levels add on a seventh color choice called Pearl White. The SV comes with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The SL is equipped with 20-inch machine-finished, aluminum-alloy wheels. Both trims are sporting a set of all-season tires.

Both of these trims come with automatic headlights. Both also offer LED daytime running lights. The SL has fog lights while this is just an optional add-on for the SV model. There are roof rails and running boards for both trims. The front grille and door handles get the chrome treatment for both. The SL also adds chrome to the side mirrors. The mirrors on both trims have a power-folding feature and integrated turn signals. The mirrors for the SL are also heated for easy defrosting in cold weather.

You get a power lift-gate when you move up to the SL trim. This is still an option for SV buyers. A tow-hitch receiver is installed on both models of the Armada. Only the SL trim gets you a seven-pin wiring harness. The SL is also pre-wired for a trailer brake. A power moon-roof is optional for the SL but not available for the SV. Nissan also equips both trim levels with a sonar system in front and in back of the vehicle.

On the inside of the Nissan Armada, you get the same sound system for both of these trim packages. The vehicle comes with a Premium Bose System that includes 13 speakers and a subwoofer. You get HD radio and a free trial for SiriusXM Radio. The stereo offers AM/FM radio and a CD player. There's a connection for your MP3 or MP4 players and other devices. You also get Bluetooth connectivity and four USB ports. Illuminated audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel for your ultimate convenience and safety.

The Nissan Armada infotainment center has a built-in navigation system. It comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display on both trims. The navigation system can be accessed with voice commands for hands-free use while driving. Both of these trims give you push-button ignition. The SL model adds on a remote-start feature. Dual-zone climate controls are available for both the SV and SL trims. Passengers in the rear have their own individual controls for the air conditioner. Heating vents are located in the rear for even warmth throughout the vehicle.

The SV trim has a rear-view monitor. The SL trim gets an upgrade to Nissan's Intelligent Around View Monitor. Both models get power windows, power locks and cruise control. They both receive three 12-volt DC power adapters. Only the SL trim has an additional 120-volt AC power outlet. There are numerous cup holders and bottle holders throughout the vehicle on all four trim levels. An extra storage space is located below the cargo-area floor, and there's an overhead storage space for sunglasses.

Being a large vehicle with ample cargo space already, the Armada also gets a ton of small-space storage. There are pockets and cubby holes throughout this SUV. Both trims offer a 10-way power-adjusting driver's seat. The front passenger's seat is an 8-way adjustable model. Both front seats have 2-way lumbar support. The front seats are heated on both of these trim levels. The SL also gets a memory feature for your driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors.

The seats inside of an SV trim have cloth upholstery while the SL gets leather-appointed seats. Both offer a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. There is a good amount of wood trim throughout the cabin for both of these Armada trim levels. The third-row seats have a 60/40 split, fold-down feature for more storage space. This must be manually folded down in the SV trim. The SL has a power fold-down feature.

When it comes to safety features, the SV and SL come stock with the same offerings. There are two optional features for the SL that are unavailable for the SV. These are a blind-spot warning and a backup intervention system. Airbags are installed throughout both trims to protect you from front, side and even rear impacts. A forward-collision warning comes standard on both trims as well. A tire-pressure monitor makes sure you have the right amount of air in those tires.

The very build quality and style of the Nissan Armada was designed to keep you and your passengers safe. A zone-construction method was used with both front and rear crumple zones. There are buckling creases and safety stops within the hood of the Armada. Side guard beams are installed to give added strength in case of a side impact. Nissan also installs an energy-absorbing steering column in every model. A security system and vehicle immobilizer are included with every trim to prevent theft of your SUV.

Compare the 2019 Armada SL vs Platinum Trims. What is the difference?

The engine, transmission system, brakes and suspension are all identical between these two trim levels. The SL and Platinum trims have the same performance specs. The only minor difference in performance comes from the power-steering systems installed on each trim package. The SL has power steering that's sensitive to the engine speed. The Platinum power steering changes sensitivity according to the actual speed of the vehicle. Many drivers won't notice a huge difference here.

On the outside of the SL and Platinum trims, both come with machine-finished, aluminum-alloy wheels. The Platinum wheels are tinted a darker color. You can also opt for some shiny chrome wheels for the Platinum trim. Both trims once again come with all-season tires. Nissan even throws in a full-sized spare tire for every trim level. Most of the remaining exterior features are the same between the SL and Platinum models.

There are some cosmetic differences on the outside of the SL and Platinum models. The SL has dark painted over-fenders. The Platinum over-fenders are pained to match the body color. You can choose some dark-chrome trim on a number of exterior parts for the Platinum model. Some of these include the door handles, outside mirrors and the front grille. The power moon-roof that was an option for the SL comes already installed on every Platinum model.

On the inside, you get the same sound system from Bose for the Platinum. The infotainment system is similar with a few upgrades. There are more USB ports and connectivity options. The biggest addition here for the Platinum trim is Nissan's Tri-Zone Entertainment System. This includes a DVD player, two 8-inch monitors, an HDMI input and two sets of wireless headphones. With this package, you can easily keep all of your passengers entertained during long road trips.

The stock seats in both trims have the same adjustment and memory functions. The standard upholstery is the same, though you can upgrade this for the Platinum as an options. While the front seats are heated for the SL trim, the Platinum's seats are both heated and cooled. Moving up to the Platinum keeps you more comfortable in any weather conditions. The Platinum gives you a few additional options such as two-tone leather seats, open-pore wood trim and black quartz accents.

The Platinum trim package comes with the same security system and vehicle immobilizer found on the SL model. Most of the safety features are the same as well. The once optional blind-spot warning comes as standard equipment for the Platinum trim. Once again, you get some additional options you can add on to the Platinum model too.

Compare the Armada Platinum vs Platinum Reserve Trims. What is the difference?

The first thing you may notice on the Platinum Reserve is the trim-level badges. The wheels are once again 20-inch aluminum alloys. This time they get a dark-chrome finish. All-season tires are again added on to those wheels. This same dark chrome is added to the grille, side mirrors, door handles and other exterior parts. This was an option for the Platinum but now comes standard for the Platinum Reserve.

The interior comfort and convenience features are mostly the same. For the Platinum Reserve, the second row of seats gets its own center console. This is luxuriously decorated with real wood trim. The front seats have the same number of power adjustments. The upholstery for the Platinum Reserve is upgraded to full, two-tone leather. Interior Platinum Reserve badging is added on throughout the cabin.

The audio system and infotainment centers are the same for the Platinum and Platinum Reserve trims. You again get the same security system and vehicle immobilizer. All of the safety features are identical between the two models. Most of the changes for the Platinum Reserve are simply cosmetic in nature.

Final Thoughts

There's a fairly large jump in price between the SV, SL and Platinum trim levels. This is more than warranted when you consider all of the add-ons and feature upgrades you get for moving up to the next trim level. The smallest gap in price actually comes between the Platinum and Platinum Reserve trims. Still, the upgrades for the Platinum Reserve are almost exclusively cosmetic. For this reason, the regular Platinum trim is going to be the best option for most buyers.

The Platinum model of the 2019 Nissan Armada has all of the best comfort and convenience features. It has everything offered from the previous trims except where a nice upgrade has been made. You even get a full entertainment system for the rear passengers. The comfort level, as well as the fit and finish of the interior, is second-to-none inside of this trim package. If you absolutely must have full leather upholstery and like the dark-chrome trim, the Platinum Reserve may be worth the added cost. For everyone else, the Platinum model is a great value.