Is the new 2025 Nissan Armada the best full-size three-row SUV out there? Can it challenge the Chevy Tahoe and the Ford Expedition at sales supremacy? I drive the new luxurious Armada Platinum Reserve model in Pennsylvania to find out. Let’s dig in!
The Chevrolet Tahoe has been the best seller in this segment for many years. This is why it’s being used as the benchmark for this review. The key features of a full-size SUV are: a large and comfortable interior for up to 8 people, compliant ride for longer road trips, ability to tow a sizable trailer (on occasion), good efficiency, and commanding power.
The 2025 Armada SUV is all-new, not just refreshed or updated. It uses an updated frame that is shared with the global Nissan Patrol 4×4 SUV. It has a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood. The exterior and the interior are redesigned as well.
Let’s start with the size of the new Armada. It rides on a large 121.1-inch wheelbase. This 0.2 inches longer than the wheels base of a Chevy Tahoe. If you want a massive SUV, you can also get a Chevy Suburban. Nissan does not offer a long-wheelbase version of the Armada. Nonetheless, the new Armada is spacious. This Platinum Reserve is the top-of-the-line model. It offers comfy front seats, second row captain chairs, and a relatively comfy third row. The Tahoe may offer just a little better legroom in the third row.
The Armada has the comfortable and luxurious interior, so that box is checked.
How about power, efficiency, and towing? The new Armada is powered by a VR35 series twin-turbo V6 engine. Note the “VR” designation in the engine family name. The Nissan GT-R sports car uses a VR38… engines. The Armada’s engine is in good company and it is rated at 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and it accelerates with authority when you ask it to.
The maximum tow rating is set at 8,500 lbs, which happens to be 100-300 pounds more than a comparable Chevy Tahoe. On my short trip in Pennsylvania, the trip meter reported an average of 21.5 MPG after 146 miles of mostly highway driving. I used the available Eco mode for the majority of the journey. This is a respectable number for such a large and heavy SUV. This luxurious Armada has a very good 1,466 lbs of payload. It has a curb weight of 6,344 lbs.
How about technology? The Armada does not disappoint in the technology department. This tester came with an optional Nissan Pro-Pilot Assist 2.1 hands-free driver assistance system. I used it on my trip, but there were large sections of highway construction. It was difficult to evaluate it on this trip, but I tried the system late last year as well. This system is good, but perhaps not quite as smooth and capable as GM’s Super Cruise.
The new Armada checks all the boxes, but is it enough? The as-tested price of this 2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve is $86,840. I just configured a top-of-the-line Chevy Tahoe High Country V8 with a couple of options and SuperCruise hands-free driving at $88,640. These prices are getting very high, but the Armada appears to be bringing a slightly better value. It’s a very serious contender.
The new Armada continues to be built in Japan. The latest Tahoe continues to be built in Arlington, Texas. The latest tariffs and U.S. economic policies may affect the prices of all vehicles. We will have to wait and see how the prices are affected.
For now, GM should look out for the new Nissan Armada. The Armada could gain some market share by the end of this year. The Q1 2025 U.S. sales numbers are coming out this week. We will update our site with the latest data ASAP.
Here is another look at how a new Nissan Armada PRO-4X compares to a new 2025 Chevy Tahoe Z71.
