2022 Nissan Armada Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

This SUV is a high-end model that offers plenty of interior space with three rows of seating. It is relatively high priced indicating its premium spot in the Nissan lineup. It comes with an impressive array of high-tech equipment and safety systems, and it has many amenities packed into its cabin.

The 2022 Nissan Armada comes in five model levels, all of which offer a choice of front- or four-wheel drive. The engine type used in both trims is the same. It has a 5.6-liter V8 engine that is reasonably large and capable of 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The seven-speed automatic transmission chosen by the firm allows for manual shift mode if desired by the driver. Roadwise, the Armada is a monster. There has an 8,500-pound towing capability and a 1,650-pound maximum payload.

Compare the S vs SV Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The S has tasteful appointments. It boasts a smart key system, a power-adjustable steering column, and a lot of storage spaces inside the cabin. It also boasts a steering wheel and gear knob coated in leather, a ten-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat.

With the SV, things are taken up a level. For instance, it has leatherette seats instead of cloth seats, and it has heated front seats to provide extra warmth in the winter. It's available with an auto-dimming rearview mirror as well as a HomeLink transceiver.

There are many wonderful technological advancements. The 12.3-inch touchscreen and the seven-inch digital information cluster come with the S as standard. An enormous plus is that navigation is standard. Additionally included in the infotainment package are Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, speech recognition, and Wi-Fi compatibility. A very useful feature that the SV offers is wireless charging. Additionally, the SV boasts a six-speaker audio system unlike the S's four speakers.

One of the really impressive things about the Nissan Armada is that it has so many driver-assist technologies. Nissan has given every trim, even the entry-level S trim, a full set of monitoring and mitigation systems. They include lane departure warning and intelligent lane intervention, intelligent cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, and intelligent blind spot intervention. These can help drivers stay aware of potential problems, and they can work to prevent situations from getting any worse. They can do so by making adjustments to steering and/or braking whenever appropriate. The one thing that the SV has that the S doesn't is a trailer brake controller.

These two trims resemble one another greatly from the outside. Both vehicles have 18-inch, 12-spoke aluminium alloy wheels, while the SV has an option to upgrade to 20-inch, 18-spoke wheels.

The SV can also be upgraded with LED fog lights and a power liftgate. It comes standard with rear privacy glass, dark gray roof rails, and body-color overfenders. It has body-color side mirrors that have heating elements and LED turn signal indicators. The mirrors on the S have the same features, but they're black instead of body-colored. Both trims have LED headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, with the S having gun metallic-painted overfenders.

Compare the SV vs SL Trims. What is the difference?

Nissan has made the SL a bit more refined than the SV. To start, it has a power moonroof that can tilt or slide open. Its power liftgate can come in handy when people have their hands full, and its LED fog lights are visible when the weather makes it hard to see. The SL can be enhance with a black grille, rear finisher, badging, roof rails, and side mirrors if anyone likes the bold look that black accents provide.

The 20-inch wheels that are available on the SV become standard on the SL. Puddle lights have been built into the side mirrors, and they serve as a sort of welcome when someone approaches the SUV with the key fob on them. Those side mirrors can automatically dim when they detect bright lights at night.

The SL has all the driver-assist technologies that are found in the SV, but it also has more. Notably, it has an intelligent around view monitor that can be useful when getting in and out of parking spots or navigating around tight corners. This is especially true given the size of the SUV. An additional component that's part of the SL's safety package is trailer sway control.

Inside the cabin of the SL, there are many more high-end elements. The SL has leather seats that make it look and feel refined. More leather is found on the door trim, and several interior spaces are upgraded with a wood-tone trim. If customers prefer a black look instead, they can opt for a black headliner and interior trim, or they can get a silky carbon interior trim.

The seating situation needs to be quickly addressed. The middle rows of the S and SV each have benches, allowing for a total of eight riders. The SL is available with either captain's chairs or the same kind of three-seat bench. Captain's chairs are preferred by some people because they make it simpler to reach the third row. The second-row chairs would in either case include a tip-up capability enabling simpler access to the back of the cabin.

If there are multiple people driving the Armada, it can be helpful to have a memory system that can remember preferred positions. The SL has a memory function integrated into its driver's seat, steering wheel, and outside mirrors.

Nissan has given the SL a few extra amenities. Perhaps one of the most convenient things is remote start. This allows the cabin to get warmed up or cooled down before people get in; it's especially nice to have when the weather isn't so great. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and a HomeLink transceiver, which are only optional on the SV, become standard at the SL level. The SL also contains a lighting system in the footwells, and a 120-volt AC power outlet is also present.

At the SL level, audio quality is greatly improved. It is due to the SL having 13 speakers instead of 6, as well as a center speaker and a sub-woofer.

Compare the SL vs Midnight Edition. What is the difference?

The Nissan Armada Midnight Edition presents you with a commanding appearance and a toned body. The Midnight Edition is included with the SL's selection of black accents. Along with other things, this grade sports black bumper fascia, a black grille, and black side mirrors. Smooth carbon interior trim and a black headliner may be found within. You'll love its Midnight Edition floor mats and carpeted cargo area protector even after a day spent in the field or the woods.
The Midnight Edition's 12-spoke wheels are another distinction. They are identical in size to those on the SL and measure 20 inches. The SL features 18 spokes, however, the 12-spoke design is different.

Compare the Midnight Edition vs Platinum Trim. What is the difference?

The Nissan Armada's Platinum trim is the top of the line model. It excels in so many areas, so it makes sense that it costs a lot more than the other trims in the lineup.

Even while it shares the same mechanical parts as the other trims, it also has one more characteristic. The additional component is a power steering system that is speed-sensitive. At greater speeds, such when a person is driving on the highway, it makes the steering more solid and steady. When the Armada is moving more slowly, things flow better. The other Armada levels have responsive power steering that is good at handling on its own.

All of the driver-assist features listed above are standard on the Platinum. It naturally contains more. It incorporates intelligent back-up intervention to prevent drivers from unintentionally hitting other vehicles while in reverse.

Instead of a standard rearview mirror, it has one with a hidden display. The rear view mirror can display a live video feed from the camera installed at the rear of the SUV. This video feed can show the driver what is happening right behind them, and it can provide a broader perspective and range of view than a standard mirror. It works well if the cabin is full of cargo or tall passengers that would otherwise block the view in the mirror.

Traffic sign recognition is found on the Platinum. The recognition program allows the SUV to read road signs as it passes them, and it can then remind drivers of things like upcoming traffic patterns and changing speed limits.

If anyone wants to drive around in total comfort, the Platinum would be a great choice. Its front seats hare heated and cooled, and its second-row outboard seats are heated, too. In its third row, the bench has a power reclining function and can be folded down with the touch of a button. Seats are covered in a luxurious quilted leather, and the steering wheel has its own heating element. A sophisticated maple wood trim matches the quilted leather upholstery.

Illuminated cup holders improve visibility in the Platinum's cabin. These lights emit a gentle glow. They may be minor, but they are greatly appreciated. Another feature that drivers also appreciate is the ability of the windshield wipers to activate themselves when rain is detected. These wipers have deicers to prevent frost from forming on them when temperatures fall below freezing.

Finally, the Platinum has the most elegant appearance out of all the Armada trims. This is largely thanks to chrome accents and larger wheels. It has chrome on its side mirrors and a few other places on its exterior, and it has 22-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with a 14-spoke design. These are stunning and help this vehicle stand out among competitors.

Final Thoughts

Of course, one has to consider budgetary concerns when deciding which Nissan Armada to get. The Platinum and Midnight Edition are likely too expensive for most customers. While they have some great benefits, it may be too hard to justify their expensive price tags.

This leaves the S, SV, and SL. The good news is that all of them have the same capable engine as the higher trims do, and they have impressive safety and infotainment packages. Navigation and such a large touchscreen are not commonly found in entry-level trims, so these trims are certainly adorable.

When taking everything into consideration, though, the S and even the SV may be a little basic in comparison with the SL. Remember that the SL has a power liftgate, power moonroof, leather seats, a memory system, and an all-around monitor. These can really enhance the overall experience of driving the Armada, and they work to elevate the style and quality of the SL. The SL may be the trim that has the right combination of features.