Nissan Armada

Nissan Armada: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Nissan Armada rather than reading a history of the model, the data split is simple. All catalogue generations are a SUV 5-doors. Every version until 3 generation is a 5.6 AT Gasoline engine with 8 cylinders, V-shaped, displacement 5552. From 2024-09-01, 3 generation drops that V8 for 3.5 AT and 3.5 AT NISMO: Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 3492, Turbo.

If you are choosing a Nissan Armada rather than reading a history of the model, the data split is simple. All catalogue generations are a SUV 5-doors. Every version until 3 generation is a 5.6 AT Gasoline engine with 8 cylinders, V-shaped, displacement 5552. From 2024-09-01, 3 generation drops that V8 for 3.5 AT and 3.5 AT NISMO: Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 3492, Turbo. Buy 3.5 AT NISMO (460 hp, 700 Nm, AWD) if you want the highest power and the only measured consumption on the current generation. Buy 3.5 AT RWD (425 hp, 2672 kg kerb) if you want the lightest current truck and 425 hp without the NISMO badge. Stay with 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT RWD (400 hp, 14.7 mixed L/100 km) if you want the last V8 with measured economy. The first-generation 5.6 AT cars (305–317 hp) are the lightest in the line and the only ones with a measured 0–100 time.

Generations: what actually changed between the five catalogue blocks

The catalogue lists 5 entries. Treat them as 3 generations, with each restyling kept inside its generation.

1 generation ran 2003-08-01 to 2007-02-28, SUV 5-doors, two versions, both named 5.6 AT. RWD is 305 hp / 224 kW at 4900 rpm and 522 Nm (torque rpm not measured). AWD is 309 hp / 227 kW at 4900 rpm and the same 522 Nm. Both use Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.8, bore × stroke 98 × 92, Automatic 5, boost No. RWD fuel is 92; AWD fuel is not measured. Ground clearance is 250 mm on both. This is the only generation with rear Disc brakes on both axles and with a measured 0–100: 7.3 s RWD, 7.1 s AWD.

1 generation, restyling ran 2007-03-01 to 2016-02-29, same body, still two 5.6 AT versions. Power is 317 hp / 233 kW at 4900 rpm on both RWD and AWD — +12 hp versus the original RWD 305 hp, +8 hp versus the original AWD 309 hp. Torque falls to 385 Nm at 3600 rpm: 137 Nm less than the 522 Nm of 1 generation. Injection stays Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 9.8, Automatic 5, fuel 92, tank 106 L. Rear brakes become Drum. Ground clearance is not measured. Wheel sizes are not measured. 0–100 is not measured on RWD; AWD is still 7.1 s. Top speed is 185 km/h on both restyling versions.

2 generation ran 2016-02-01 to 2020-11-30, SUV 5-doors, two 5.6 AT versions. Power jumps to 390 hp / 287 kW at 5800 rpm and 545 Nm at 4000 rpm: +73 hp and +160 Nm versus restyling 317 hp / 385 Nm. Injection becomes Direct injection (direct), compression 11.2, fuel 95, Automatic 7, tank 98 L. Engine position is Front, longitudinal. Boost No. Ground clearance 234 mm. Wheels 265/70 R18 and 275/60 R20. Front and rear brakes Ventilated disc / Disc ventilated. 0–100, top speed, and all three consumption figures are not measured.

2 generation, restyling starts 2020-12-01, stop not measured (still listed as current alongside 3 generation). Two 5.6 AT versions at 400 hp / 294 kW at 5800 rpm and 562 Nm at 4000 rpm: +10 hp and +17 Nm versus pre-restyle 390 / 545. Boost is not measured. Direct injection (direct), compression 11.2, fuel 95, Automatic 7, tank 98 L. Ground clearance 231 mm — 3 mm less than 2 generation. Wheels add 275/50 R22. Rear brakes are Disc, not ventilated. Consumption is measured here: RWD 16.8 / 12.4 / 14.7 L/100 km; AWD 18.1 / 13.1 / 15.7.

3 generation starts 2024-09-01, stop not measured, SUV 5-doors, three versions: two 3.5 AT (RWD and AWD) and 3.5 AT NISMO (AWD only). All are Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 3492, Turbo, Direct injection (direct), compression 10.5, bore × stroke 86 x 100.2, Automatic 9, fuel 95, tank 89 L, Front, longitudinal. 3.5 AT is 425 hp / 312 kW at 5600 rpm and 700 Nm at 3600 rpm. 3.5 AT NISMO is 460 hp / 338 kW at 5600 rpm and the same 700 Nm. Versus last V8 400 hp / 562 Nm that is +25 hp and +138 Nm on 3.5 AT, and +60 hp on NISMO. Displacement is 2060 cc smaller (5552 − 3492). Ground clearance is not measured. Front and rear brakes are not measured. 0–100 and top speed are not measured. Consumption is not measured on either 3.5 AT; 3.5 AT NISMO is 14.7 / 12.4 / 13.8 L/100 km.

Engine specs: every 5.6 AT and 3.5 AT in the catalogue

All 5.6 AT versions share displacement 5552, 8 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves per cylinder. All 3.5 AT / 3.5 AT NISMO share 3492, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 4 valves, Turbo.

Specific output from these figures: 1 generation RWD 5.6 AT is 305 / 5.552 ≈ 54.9 hp per litre. Restyling 5.6 AT 317 hp is ≈ 57.1 hp/L. 2 generation 390 hp is ≈ 70.2 hp/L. 2 generation, restyling 400 hp is ≈ 72.0 hp/L. 3 generation 3.5 AT 425 hp from 3.492 L is ≈ 121.7 hp/L. 3.5 AT NISMO 460 hp is ≈ 131.7 hp/L.

The restyling of 1 generation is the only step that cuts torque while raising power: 522 Nm → 385 Nm. That is the arithmetic reason not to pick a 2007–2016 5.6 AT if towing or in-gear pull is the reason you want this SUV. 2 generation restores and then exceeds original torque (545, then 562). 3 generation is a different bargain: fewer cylinders, Turbo, 700 Nm on every 3.5 AT and on 3.5 AT NISMO.

Horsepower, 0–100, and mpg (L/100 km)

Measured 0–100 exists only on 1 generation: 5.6 AT RWD 7.3 s, 5.6 AT AWD 7.1 s. 1 generation, restyling RWD 0–100 is not measured; AWD is 7.1 s. Every 2 generation, 2 generation, restyling, and 3 generation 0–100 is not measured. Top speed is 185 km/h wherever it is measured (1 generation both 5.6 AT, 1 generation, restyling both 5.6 AT). Later top speed is not measured.

Kerb mass per horsepower (lower is stronger on paper):

• 1 generation 5.6 AT RWD: 2340 / 305 ≈ 7.67 kg/hp
• 1 generation 5.6 AT AWD: 2480 / 309 ≈ 8.03 kg/hp
• 1 generation, restyling 5.6 AT RWD: 2340 / 317 ≈ 7.38 kg/hp
• 1 generation, restyling 5.6 AT AWD: 2480 / 317 ≈ 7.82 kg/hp
• 2 generation 5.6 AT RWD: 2529 / 390 ≈ 6.48 kg/hp
• 2 generation 5.6 AT AWD: 2641 / 390 ≈ 6.77 kg/hp
• 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT RWD: 2572 / 400 ≈ 6.43 kg/hp
• 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT AWD: 2693 / 400 ≈ 6.73 kg/hp
• 3 generation 3.5 AT RWD: 2672 / 425 ≈ 6.29 kg/hp
• 3 generation 3.5 AT AWD: 2772 / 425 ≈ 6.52 kg/hp
• 3.5 AT NISMO: 2768 / 460 ≈ 6.02 kg/hp — the lowest (best) ratio in the catalogue

Consumption, city / highway / mixed L/100 km:

• 1 generation 5.6 AT RWD: 18.1 / 12.4 / 15.2
• 1 generation 5.6 AT AWD: 18.1 / 13.1 / 15.5 (AWD costs 0.7 highway and 0.3 mixed)
• 1 generation, restyling both 5.6 AT: all three figures not measured
• 2 generation both 5.6 AT: all three not measured
• 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT RWD: 16.8 / 12.4 / 14.7
• 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT AWD: 18.1 / 13.1 / 15.7 (AWD costs 1.3 city, 0.7 highway, 1.0 mixed)
• 3 generation 3.5 AT RWD and AWD: not measured
• 3.5 AT NISMO: 14.7 / 12.4 / 13.8

The lowest measured mixed figure in the whole model is 13.8 on 3.5 AT NISMO. The last V8 RWD 5.6 AT (2 generation, restyling) at 14.7 mixed beats the original RWD 5.6 AT at 15.2 by 0.5 L/100 km, despite +95 hp (400 − 305) and +232 kg kerb (2572 − 2340). Highway 12.4 is the same on 1 generation RWD, 2 generation, restyling RWD, and 3.5 AT NISMO.

CO2 is not measured on any version. Eco class is not measured on any version. This catalogue has no engine-problem counts and no reliability scores; those queries cannot be answered from these figures.

Dimensions, weight, tank, clearance

AWD always adds mass. On 1 generation and its restyling the AWD 5.6 AT is 140 kg heavier than RWD (2480 vs 2340). On 2 generation AWD is +112 kg (2641 − 2529). On 2 generation, restyling AWD is +121 kg (2693 − 2572). On 3 generation AWD 3.5 AT is +100 kg (2772 − 2672). 3.5 AT NISMO at 2768 kg is 4 kg lighter than AWD 3.5 AT.

Gross versus kerb (payload by subtraction):

• 1 generation / restyling RWD 5.6 AT: 3085 − 2340 = 745 kg
• same generations AWD: 3175 − 2480 = 695 kg
• 2 generation RWD: 3311 − 2529 = 782 kg (largest among V8 RWD)
• 2 generation AWD: 3402 − 2641 = 761 kg
• 2 generation, restyling RWD: 3314 − 2572 = 742 kg
• 2 generation, restyling AWD: 3405 − 2693 = 712 kg
• 3 generation 3.5 AT RWD: 3436 − 2672 = 764 kg
• 3 generation 3.5 AT AWD: 3436 − 2772 = 664 kg (smallest payload; same 3436 kg gross as RWD)
• 3.5 AT NISMO: 3543 − 2768 = 775 kg (highest gross in the catalogue)

Tank: 106 L on every 1 generation and restyling 5.6 AT; 98 L on every 2 generation and restyling 5.6 AT (8 L smaller); 89 L on every 3 generation version (9 L smaller again).

Ground clearance: 250 mm on 1 generation both 5.6 AT; not measured on the restyling; 234 mm on 2 generation; 231 mm on 2 generation, restyling; not measured on 3 generation.

Wheels: not measured on 1 generation and its restyling. 2 generation 5.6 AT: 265/70 R18, 275/60 R20. 2 generation, restyling and all 3 generation versions add 275/50 R22.

Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version. Front brakes: Disc on 1 generation and restyling; Ventilated disc from 2 generation onward; not measured on 3 generation. Rear: Disc on 1 generation, Drum on the restyling, Disc ventilated on 2 generation, Disc on the restyling, not measured on 3 generation.

Which version to choose

Want the most power: 3.5 AT NISMO, 460 hp, AWD, Automatic 9. It is 35 hp above 3.5 AT (425 hp) at the same 700 Nm and the same 3492 Turbo engine family. Kerb 2768 kg versus 2772 kg on AWD 3.5 AT. It is the only 3 generation version with measured consumption (13.8 mixed). 0–100, top speed, clearance, and brakes are not measured.

Want current generation without NISMO, and you do not need AWD: 3.5 AT RWD, 425 hp, 2672 kg — lightest 3 generation kerb, payload 764 kg, tank 89 L. Consumption not measured. Compared with last V8 RWD 5.6 AT (400 hp, 2572 kg) you gain 25 hp and 138 Nm and lose 100 kg of kerb advantage (2672 − 2572) plus 9 L of tank.

Want current generation with AWD, not NISMO: 3.5 AT AWD, 425 hp, 2772 kg, payload only 664 kg because gross stays 3436 kg. That is 111 kg less payload than NISMO (775 kg). If AWD is required and payload matters, 3.5 AT NISMO is the stronger catalogue match, not the non-NISMO AWD.

Want the last V8, with measured mpg: 2 generation, restyling 5.6 AT RWD, 400 hp, 562 Nm, 14.7 mixed, 16.8 city, tank 98 L, clearance 231 mm, wheels up to 275/50 R22. Take the AWD twin only if you need AWD: you pay 121 kg, 1.0 L/100 km mixed, and payload drops from 742 to 712 kg.

Want V8 power but not the restyle: 2 generation 5.6 AT RWD, 390 hp, 545 Nm, 2529 kg — 43 kg lighter than restyle RWD, +3 mm clearance (234 vs 231), same tank 98 L, but consumption, 0–100, and top speed are not measured. The AWD 5.6 AT is 2641 kg.

Want lowest kerb and a measured 0–100: 1 generation 5.6 AT RWD, 305 hp, 2340 kg, 7.3 s, 185 km/h, 15.2 mixed, 250 mm clearance, 106 L tank. AWD is 309 hp, 7.1 s, 2480 kg, 15.5 mixed. Fuel on AWD is not measured; RWD is 92.

Avoid if torque is the reason you are here: 1 generation, restyling 5.6 AT (317 hp / 385 Nm). Power is up, torque is 137 Nm down versus 1 generation, rear brakes are Drum, clearance and wheels not measured, RWD 0–100 not measured. The only measured acceleration on that restyling is AWD 7.1 s — the same number as original AWD, not faster.

RWD versus AWD on any generation: AWD never adds horsepower except on original 1 generation (+4 hp, 305 → 309). From the restyling onward, RWD and AWD share the same hp and Nm; AWD only adds mass (100–140 kg) and, where both are measured, extra fuel. Choose AWD for the drivetrain label, not for a power spec.

Engine size in one line: until 2024-09-01 the Armada engine is 5552, 8, V-shaped, no Turbo where boost is listed. From that date the engine options are 3.5 AT and 3.5 AT NISMO, 3492, 6, V-shaped, Turbo. There is no other displacement in this catalogue.