2024 Nissan Armada Pros vs Cons, & Competitor Insights

Picking the right full-size SUV for your crew and lifestyle is a big deal. With so many choices out there, finding the perfect mix of power, comfort, and safety can be tough. Well, say hi to the 2024 Nissan Armada - it's a top player in the full-size SUV game. This ride packs a strong V8 engine, tons of space inside, and awesome towing skills. But you have to check out the “2024 Nissan Armada pros and cons” to see if it's the one for you. We'll break it down so you can decide if the 2024 Armada fits your needs or if you should keep on trucking with your search.

Key Takeaways

• Brawny V8 engine, cushy interior, awesome for towing heavy loads

• Not so great gas mileage, mediocre handling around corners, tight squeeze in the third row

• Comes in 3 trim levels - the SL has solid features for the price, while the Platinum brings high-end luxury perks

The 2024 Armada brings power, comfort and towing capabilities but lacks in efficiency, handling and rear seat space. With value or luxury trims available, it could be the perfect monster SUV for the right buyer!

What We Like - 8 Pros of the Armada

The 2024 Armada really brings it with its 5.6L V8 that dishes out 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. That's some solid muscle for a big SUV! Here are some key perks:

• Beefy 5.6L V8 engine

• 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque - yup, it's got power!

• Lots of room inside with comfy seats

• Can tow up to 8,500 pounds which is really impressive

These sweet features make the Armada awesome for families or anyone wanting a powerful full-size SUV. It's got the goods where it counts!

The Armada shines with its robust V8, potent horsepower, spacious interior and hefty towing. For power and family-hauling, the Armada hits it out of the park.

1. Serious Power Under the Hood

The 2024 Armada packs some punch:

• Endurance® 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine

• 7-speed automatic transmission w/ Downshift Rev Matching

• 400 horsepower

• 413 lb-ft of torque

• A seven-speed automatic transmission

Compared to rivals like the GMC Yukon, the Armada wins on engine power. So if you want a full-size SUV with serious muscle, the Armada is looking good!

One heads up though - the Armada's beefy V8 needs premium gas to do its best. This can add to the overall cost of filling up and driving daily. Something to think about.

The Armada out-powers competitors with its robust V8. But it requires pricier premium fuel. If you want muscle in a big SUV, the Armada delivers - just account for the gas.

2. Spaciousness and Comfort

One big perk of a full-size SUV is having space for people and cargo - and the 2024 Armada delivers:

• Seating capacity options for up to eight passengers in the SV, SL, and Platinum trims

• 7 seats in the S base model

• Plenty of shoulder room up front

• Big cargo area in back

• Optional second-row captain's chairs

• Ventilated front seats to stay cool

With all that room, the Armada is great for families and road trips.

One thing though - the third row has less legroom than some rivals like the Ford Expedition. So if you need space for lots of adults in all three rows, that's something to consider for overall comfort.

The Armada provides abundant space for passengers and cargo. But its third row offers less legroom than some competitors.

3. Versatile Seating Options

When it comes to seating, the 2024 Nissan Armada gives you options to handle passengers and gear:

• The standard setup fits 8 people with a second-row bench. But you can swap that for captain's chairs to cut capacity to 7 if you want more elbow room.

• Both the bench and chairs make accessing the third row a breeze with flip-up easy entry.

• That third row is a 60/40 split, so you've got multiple arrangements to choose from. The available power recline and one-touch fold flat seats add even more flexibility.

Basically, the Armada allows you to configure the seats in different ways for people and cargo. Whether you need room for a crowd or max cargo space, the versatile seating has you covered.

4. Impressive Towing Capability

The 2024 Armada can tow up to 8,500 pounds - that's seriously impressive for an SUV. It beats out some competitors like the Chevy Suburban at 8,300 pounds max and the Chevy Tahoe at 8,000.

The Armada can handle those heavy loads thanks to its strong V8 engine and tough body-on-frame build. If you need an SUV that can tow big time, the Armada's got the muscle. It's a top choice for anyone prioritizing major towing power in a full-size rig.

5. Good Safety & Driver Assist Features

The 2024 Armada comes packed with a bunch of handy driver aids and safety gear. Let's check out what it's got:

• Intelligent Cruise Control - Makes highway drives easier by automatically maintaining your set speed and distance from the car in front. Adapts to traffic flow.

• Intelligent Forward Collision Warning - Scans the road ahead and alerts you if it detects a possible frontal impact. Gives you time to react.

• Intelligent Around View® Monitor - A 360-degree camera system that gives you a bird's-eye view around the Armada when parking or navigating tight spots. Helps avoid scrapes.

• Nissan Safety Shield® 360 - A suite of advanced safety features:

  • Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection - Can apply the brakes automatically to avoid or reduce front collisions with vehicles or pedestrians.

  • Rear Automatic Braking - Applies the brakes if objects detected when reversing to prevent back-over accidents.

  • Blind Spot Warning - Alerts you if another vehicle is in your blind spot when changing lanes.

  • Rear Cross Traffic Alert - Alerts you to approaching cross traffic detected when backing up.

  • Lane Departure Warning - Alerts if drifting out of lane without signaling.

  • High Beam Assist - Auto high/low beam switching based on traffic.

  • Intelligent Rear View Mirror - Uses rear camera to give expanded rear view around passengers/cargo.

The Armada's driver assists enhance safety and convenience by offering complete information to help spot hazards and minimize accident risks and injuries.

Availability varies by trim level, so double check the features on your chosen model. (Reference: Nissan USA)

6. Infotainment System and Connectivity

When it comes to tech, the 2024 Nissan Armada brings its A-game. It's packed with an awesome infotainment and connectivity setup. Here are some standout features:

• A massive 12.3-inch touchscreen – one of the biggest you'll find in this SUV class. Both Yukon andTahoe have a 10.2" screen, Expedition has an available 15.5-inch display.

• Wireless smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to easily access your apps on the go.

• Amazon Alexa built-in so you can use voice commands to cue up music, get directions or check the weather.

• NissanConnect with a free 3-year Premium trial gives you extra services to stay connected.

• A premium Bose audio with AudioPilot - Adjusts sound based on ambient noise for the best experience.

• Built-in WiFi and 4 USB ports keep everyone charged up and online.

• rotary controls let you quickly adjust jams without glancing away from the road.

• With easy steering wheel controls, you can crank up and skip tracks on the fly.

• MyNISSAN app - Remotely control vehicle functions from your phone.

When you're behind the wheel of the Armada, you're surrounded by the latest tech to maximize entertainment and convenience.

7. Limited-Slip Rear Axle

The Armada comes with a limited-slip rear axle that brings some solid benefits, especially for towing and hauling heavy loads:

• It helps reduce trailer sway so you get better stability at higher speeds or in windy conditions. No more fish-tailing!

• It minimizes suspension bounce over rough roads, giving you a smoother, more controlled ride even when loaded down.

• It keeps the trailer riding level with the SUV instead of sagging, maintaining the right height for optimum handling.

Basically, the limited-slip axle brings extra stability and control when you really need it - like when towing big trailers or driving off-road with heavy cargo. It's a key feature for confident handling in the Armada.

8. Body-on-Frame Build

The Armada uses old-school body-on-frame construction - one of the last SUVs to keep this truck-style setup. This means a tough ladder frame combined with sturdy box-section rails provide serious strength and durability.

What We Don't Like - Cons of the Armada SUV

Even with its many perks, the Armada does have some downsides to think about before buying. These include bad gas mileage, just okay handling, and not a ton of legroom in row three.

Let's take a closer look at what the Armada is lacking to get the full picture. Knowing the cons along with the pros is key when deciding if it's the right fit.

While the Armada excels in many ways, it also has weaknesses like poor efficiency, modest handling and tight third-row space. Examining the cons provides a complete view.

1. Fuel Economy - Lower MPG

The Armada's powerful V8 and heavy build mean it gets pretty bad gas mileage. The EPA says it gets around 16 mpg combined. That's on the low end for full-size SUVs. You have to expect lower efficiency when you want an engine with strong performance and towing ability.

According to the EPA, Armada's EPA fuel economy for the 5.6-liter, 8 cyl, engine is as follows:

• Two-wheel drive: 14 mpg city / 19 mpg highway. (16 mpg combined average gas mileage)

• Four-wheel drive: 13 mpg city / 18 mpg highway. (15 mpg combined average gas mileage)

• Armada comes with an automatic transmission and uses premium gas.

It uses premium gas and has an automatic transmission.

The EPA fuel economy for the combined city/hwy average is less mpg than other vehicles in its class. The Armada gets 14 mpg, Chevrolet Tahoe - 17 mpg, Ford Expedition 18 mpg and GMC Yukon gets 17 mpg. The Toyota Sequoia shines at 22 mpg for the 2x4 and 20 mpg for the 4x4. (Reference: Fueleconomy.gov)

The Armada sacrifices fuel efficiency for power. At around 16 mpg, it ranks low among full-size SUVs. But strong towing and performance impact mileage.

2. Handling and Ride Quality

The Armada's steering and handling feel a bit outdated compared to smoother competitors like the Ford Expedition or Chevy Tahoe. It's not as agile or sporty as other full-size SUVs. And you'll notice some body roll going around turns.

So if you really want an SUV with precise, responsive handling, the Armada probably isn't your best bet.

But it does still drive smoothly and comfortably on the road. So if you don't mind the handling drawbacks, you can enjoy that cushy ride along with the Armada's power and space.

The Armada’s dated handling lacks refinement, but it maintains a comfortable ride quality. Handling limits may bother some buyers. (Reference: Consumer Reports)

3. Limited Third-Row Legroom

The Armada has a roomy interior overall, but rear seats - its third row legroom is on the tight side at just 28.4 inches. This could be an issue if you need to fit adults back there for long rides. With less legroom, it may not be as comfortable.

Compared to the Expedition or Yukon which have more generous third rows, the Armada falls short on space. But with the rear seats folded down, it does have a lot of cargo room.

So if maximizing third row legroom is important, the Armada may not be the best option. But weigh that against its strengths like power and towing capacity to see what matters most for your needs.

The Armada’s third row offers limited legroom compared to rivals, potentially affecting passenger comfort. But cargo space is ample with the seats folded.

4. Nissan dropped the Cheaper Base S Trim in 2024

Armada had four trim levels in 2023, giving it a lower starting price do to the cheaper S trim. In 2024 Nissan dropped the base S trim. The price increase over $4700 between the 2023 base S trim and the 2024 SV trim. The three available trims for the 2024 model year are:

• Armada SV - Starting at $57,345

• Armada SL Trim  - Starting at $61,165

• Platinum - Starting at $69,415

Comparing Competitors - How Does the Armada Stack Up?

Here we'll see how the 2024 Nissan Armada compares to its key competitors - the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. All four full-size SUVs deliver robust towing power, passenger space, and the versatility for family adventures. But each model has its own strengths. Read on to see how the refined yet powerful Armada stacks up against the stalwarts of the class.

Vs. Chevy Tahoe

Pros vs cons of the Armada vs the Chevy Tahoe:

Armada Advantages:

• More powerful 400hp 5.6L V8 engine

• Higher 8,500 lb towing capacity

• Available rear seat entertainment system

Tahoe Advantages:

• Smoother ride quality with independent rear suspension

• More advanced safety and technology features

• More efficient engine options including diesel and hybrid

In short, the Armada prioritizes power and utility while the Tahoe emphasizes ride and tech. Test drives can help determine which SUV better matches your needs.

Vs. GMC Yukon

Armada Strengths:

• More powerful 400hp 5.6L V8 engine

• Slightly higher 8,500 lb towing capacity

• Larger 28-gallon fuel tank

• Available rear seat entertainment system

• Lower starting MSRP

Yukon Advantages:

• Smoother ride with independent rear suspension

• More modern, upscale interior design

• Better equipped for off-roading

• Newer tech like digital gauges and head-up display

• Stronger GMC brand cachet

The Armada prioritizes power and utility while the Yukon leans luxury. Test drives can determine which full-size SUV best fits your needs.

Vs. Ford Expedition

Armada Strengths:

• More powerful 400hp 5.6L V8 engine

• Higher 8,500 lb max tow rating

• Available rear seat entertainment system

• Better off-road prowess with low-range 4WD

Expedition Advantages:

• More cargo space behind 3rd row

• Smoother ride with independent rear suspension

• More modern and upscale interior design

• Advanced towing tech like Pro Trailer Backup Assist

The Armada emphasizes power and capability while the Expedition focuses on passenger comfort and towing tech. Test drives can determine which full-size SUV is the best match.

The Bottom Line

The 2024 Nissan Armada really stands out if you want a tough, utility-focused behemoth. With its strong V8, strong towing power, and lots of interior room, this rig is built to easily haul heavy loads and families. For shoppers who value hardcore capability above all, the Armada delivers.

But keep in mind its not-so-great gas mileage, handling that's less than agile, and a squeeze of a third row. If you need an efficient ride, sports-car maneuverability, or adult-sized rear legroom, rivals like the Ford Expedition or Chevy Tahoe might be a better match. Take some test drives to understand your must-haves.

Ultimately the Armada shines for drivers focused on utility over frills. If you want unmatched muscle-hauling abilities, this Nissan undoubtedly deserves a look. But weigh any lifestyle compromises too before deciding. For the right buyer who prioritizes power and capability, the Armada could be the perfect beast of an SUV.