Latest News
The Toyota 2000GT was Japan’s First SupercarNew vs Used: Nissan Armada
The Nissan Armada is a big, beefy SUV with plenty of power and comfort. But is it better to buy a new or used Nissan Armada?
Gotta Have a V8?
usa.nissannews.com | Shop Nissan Armada on Carsforsale.com
The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV aimed at families who like to be on the go. There’s plenty of power to tow a big camper or a boat for weekend fun, and plenty of room on the inside to carry all of the band/soccer/football gear that often comes along with the kids. There’s even a third row of seats in the back to accommodate larger families.
The Nissan Armada also borders on luxury, especially in the higher trims. Things like leather seats, headrest-mounted rear screens, and open-pore wood trim make you think you’re in a high-end Mercedes instead of a Nissan.
The star of the Nissan Armada is the big 400-horsepower 5.6L V8 engine. This engine was updated in 2021 to give it more power over the older version and thus allows it to tow up to 8,500 lbs. when properly equipped. It doesn’t do a bad job of getting the Armada up to speed on the highway at the expense of some extra gasoline.
The major upgrade for 2021 carried over into 2023 with only a few new features. Amazon Alexa is now available on the SV, SL, and Platinum trims. Features such as LED fog lights, remote start, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror are now standard on the SV trim, and the SL now has a heated steering wheel standard.
This means that taking a step back in time to a used 2020 Nissan Armada is going to give drivers less in terms of new technology and standard features. That doesn’t mean that a used 2020 Nissan Armada isn’t worth a look. Let’s look at the specs.
Specs
The 2023 Nissan Armada is equipped with a 5.6L V8 engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. This combination makes 400 horsepower and 413 lbs.-ft. of torque. It is available in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations. This is the only engine available for the Armada and there are no hybrid options.
The 2020 Nissan Armada features a 5.6L V8 as well. It produces 390 horsepower and 394 lbs.-ft. of torque – 10 fewer horses and 19 fewer foot-pounds than the newer engine. It is also available with a seven-speed automatic transmission and can be found in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations.
All of that power comes at a cost, however. The EPA rated the RWD version at 14 MPG city/19 MPG highway. A 4×4 version would reduce that estimate by 1 MPG. This is accurate for both the 2023 and 2020 Armada models. It is safe to say that you don’t buy a Nissan Armada if you are worried about saving money at the pump.
Driving and Performance
If you need performance, the Nissan Armada has got it. In our test, the Nissan Armada rocketed from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5.9 seconds! This means that the big, bulky Armada clocked in at the same time as the Nissan Maxima sedan. This means you’ll have plenty of power to pull out and pass.
The 2023 Nissan Armada gave us a calm, quiet ride even on 22-inch wheels. It offers plenty of isolation from engine and road noise which can be appreciated by all. The soft ride also means that it gets a bit spongy when in the corners, and you can feel the size working against you. The steering is rather numb and not as precise as we would have liked. The driver’s sense of control is maintained despite these issues, which is a good thing.
The brakes on both models are equally impressive. They can stop the big SUV in just 182 feet from 70 MPH. The brakes also provide amazing feedback to the driver, and the pedal has minimal travel. This is the type of brake system that competitors like the Toyota Sequoia should take note of.
The 2020 Nissan Armada echoed the same issues as the 2023 model when it comes to handling. This is one part of the Armada that did not get an upgrade in 2021.
Comfort and Interior
The interior of the Nissan Armada offers quiet solace from the outside and does so with class. Both the 2020 and 2023 models offer interiors with soft materials that are extremely attractive. The 2023 model had a fresher look to it and did not seem as dated as the 2020 model. Second-row captain’s chairs are available instead of the standard bench seat, but this drops the total passenger count to 7 instead of 8.
The third row is power-folding on the SL and higher trims making it extremely easy to stow them away when more cargo space is needed. The legroom in the third row isn’t very spacious, however, and adult passengers may find it difficult to get in and out with any sense of comfort.
Both interiors were impressive because of the amount of room they provided as well as appointments that made them feel as if they were more luxurious than some of their competition (GM, we’re looking at you). You’ll be sure to get a quiet and comfortable ride with either one.
Trims and Feature
The 2023 Nissan Armada is available in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. It is available in both RWD and 4WD configurations.
The S trim is the base model Armada and comes standard with features like LED headlights, a pre-wired tow hitch receiver, cloth seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control, full-size spare tire, power-adjustable front seats, satellite radio, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, navigation, Wi-Fi connectivity, a four-speaker stereo, blind-spot monitoring and intervention, adaptive cruise control, lane departure mitigation, front and rear parking sensors, and rear automatic braking.
The SV trim adds on roof rails, simulated leather upholstery, LED foglights, auto-dimming heated side mirrors, heated front seats, trailer brake controller, remote engine start, Amazon Alexa compatibility, wireless smartphone charger, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six-speaker sound system, universal garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Adding the SV Appearance package gives you 20-inch alloy wheels and a power liftgate.
The SL trim gives you the SV trim with the appearance package plus remote start, remote keyless entry, sunroof, leather seats, trailer sway damping, heated steering wheel, 13-speaker Bose sound system, a 120-volt household-style power outlet, and a surround-view camera system. A Midnight Edition package adds on black leather seats, a black headliner, black exterior trim, and special floor mats and cargo mats.
The Platinum trim offers features such as rain-sensing wipers, quilted leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, 22-inch alloy wheels, wiper deicer system, heated second-row seats, digital rearview mirror, rear seat entertainment with two 8-inch screens, one-touch power-folding third-row seats.
The 2020 Nissan Armada is available in 3 trim levels: SV, SL, and Platinum.
The SV trim is the base model and comes equipped with features such as LED headlights, heated mirrors, roof rails, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, keyless ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, 60/40-split second and third-row seats, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, 8-inch touchscreen display, four USB ports, satellite radio, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, a power liftgate, foglights, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power-folding third-row seat, and a towing package.
The SL trim adds on automatic wipers, 20-inch wheels, remote ignition, front step lighting, auto-dimming outside mirrors, a 120-volt household-style outlet, a power-adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, driver-seat memory functions, and a 360-degree top-down parking camera. Add on the Premium package for features such as rear automatic emergency braking, a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The Platinum trim is the top-of-the-line trim for the Armada and offers features such as heated second-row seats, windshield wiper deicer, rear step lighting, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, rear-seat entertainment system, leather door trim, a digital rearview mirror, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot mitigation. A Platinum Reserve package adds special exterior trim, two-tone leather upholstery, 22-inch wheels, and captain’s chairs.
Final Thoughts
You’ll find that there are a lot of the same features on both the used and the new Nissan Armadas even though they underwent a major refresh in 2021. The 2023 Nissan Armada gives you a more up-to-date interior, new tech capabilities, and some features standard that were previously optional.
The 2023 Nissan Armada has a lot going for it, but the price tag is near-luxury territory – especially on the higher-level trims. The 2023 Nissan Armada SL will cost you $61,015 MSRP. That can prove to be a bit steep for many families.
2020 Nissan Armada – usa.nissannews.com | Shop Nissan Armada on Carsforsale.com
However, you can get a used 2020 Nissan Armada with low mileage for less than half of that in many cases. You can get many of the same features as the 2023 models if you shop around. The difference in power between the two engines is not enough to be a deal breaker either. You probably won’t even miss the extra 10 horsepower that the newer engine provides.
Unless you specifically want a fresh 2023 Nissan Armada with a new warranty, the best way to save money is to buy a used 2020 model. There just aren’t enough differences to justify the price difference at this point, and who doesn’t like saving several thousand dollars?
Both will give you a great ride with plenty of power, but a used 2020 Nissan Armada makes more financial sense than buying a new one. The big starting price can’t keep up with depreciation, and that’s where you’ll save money.
