The 2025 Nissan Armada gets a major redesign. Our experts share their first impressions of the Nissan Armada SL with Intelligent AWD in this episode. We put the new Armada through its paces on our test track and take a close look at its refined exterior, premium interior, updated powertrain, and family-friendly space. Plus, we compare it to top rivals like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Jeep Wagoneer, Toyota Sequoia, and its luxury cousin, the Infiniti QX80. We also answer viewer questions and opine on the irritating turn signal in the 2025 Jeep Compass, should you worry about the Mazda CX-90’s multiple drive chains and potential repair bills, and what’s a fun, budget-friendly manual car under $35K that won’t cramp a tall driver?
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More info on the 2025 Nissan Armada here:
SHOW NOTES
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00:00 – Introduction
00:17 – Overview: 2025 Nissan Armada
01:15 – Powertrain
03:12 – Cabin Noise
04:37 – Driving Dynamics
07:02 – Safety Features
10:32 – Visibility
13:08 – Interior
15:04 – Access
16:20 – Controls
18:41 – Who is it For?
22:26 – Question #1: Are the turn signals on the Jeep Compass really as bad as reported by Consumer Reports?
24:25 – Question #2: Should Buyers worry about the Mazda CX-90’s multiple drive chains and potential repair bills?
26:55 – Question #3: What’s a fun-to-drive, budget-friendly manual transmission car under $35K that’s comfortable for a taller driver?
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First Drive: 2025 Nissan Armada Gains Refinement and Powerful V6
Large SUVs That Can Hold the Most Cargo
Large SUV Face-Off: Chevrolet Tahoe vs. Ford Expedition
Popular Luxury SUVs to Avoid and What to Get Instead
It’s regular fuel and qx80 is premium
CR finally has something positive to say about a Nissan
As someone who tows a trailer, and owned a turbocharged engine before I am a little hesitant. For a commuter it’s great. But a smaller turbocharged engine before engine works harder, makes more heat, more stress, which means more wear and tear.
Jennifer is hosting! Happy day!
Is nissan still playing games with parts such as requiring you purchase a new transmission for 12k if the seal leaks instead of selling the seal to fix the transmission like the did in one of those Titan pickup Trucks? 2018 was the year I believe…
I can’t imagine paying $75k for an SL model when the Pro-4X adds more off-road capability (valuable where I live in rural Colorado) and is $77k. Just curious: Do you folks test the off-road capability of off-road vehicles, or just presume that people are lifestyle-obsessed pretenders getting groceries? I’ve definitely noticed you don’t measure ground clearance or the approach/departure angles.
Breathtaking! A practical looking vehicle, but gads, the price is how much I paid for my first house! Still, for those with money to burn, I suppose this car has a place, by the Rolls in the garage.
I had the old Armada briefly as a loaner. It was like driving around in the Death Star: handled like a small moon but EVERYONE got out of your way. Horrible thing overall.
I’m glad that, as a CX-70 PHEV owner, the timing chain exists. My friend’s timing belt, due to be changed at 90k miles, broke at 86k miles and destroyed his (“interference” design) inline-4! Would you prefer to drop an ICE for expensive maintenance or to replace the entire engine then?
I’m really surprised nobody brought up a BMW M235i or older M2. Those were the first things that came to mind for me. An M3 is super fun, but would have to go older for that.
Crazy why Nissan just doesn’t bring back the Xterra
The Armada/Patrol’s depreciation is shocking here in Canada, but at least you can tell people your truck has a GTR engine. 😂
Like appreciate how well spoken Jen is – not a lot of erm uhm you know etc. 👏👍
Where can we see old consumer reports car reviews, 1980’s, 90’s etc?
Thanks CR!!
its so big
I rode in one last week via Uber a felt very safe like I was in a bank vault and it rode very smoothly, much more smooth than the outgoing model that I remember.
Consumer Reports you need to address Alex on Autos YouTube video about your lack of data to properly rate cars. According to him your membership is not what it once was, and you are no longer able to properly rate the reliability of car brands that still sell hundreds of thousands each year. Including Mercedes-Benz, and Dodge. The ratings you do have for some brands is only for one or two models. If you can no longer get the data, you need from only using members, maybe it’s time to send out surveys from buyers outside of your members. If not there is no point in taking your ratings seriously.