Overview:
General Information:
Parts content – US/ Canadian / not available. It is assembled in Canton, Mississippi, USA; Classification is SUV. Cars from Nissan: Altima, Altima Hybrid, Armada, cube, Frontier, GT-R, JUKE, LEAF, Maxima, Murano, Murano CrossCabriolet NV Cargo, NV Passenger, Pathfinder, Quest, Rogue, Sentra, Titan, Versa and Xterra.
Opinion:
Hints for ‘stress free’ travel:
1. Include Cruise Control when you buy your next car if you don’t already have it. It is surely one of the best travel companions you can have.
2. Set your speed on cruise at a speed that equals the general flow of traffic – then sit back and relax.
3. Adjust your travel times for “Off Peak” traffic. Many employers will welcome “Flex Time” so check it out.
4. Consider moving closer to work.
5. Avoid Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday since they are the heaviest traffic days. Monday and Friday are far more congested.
In short, be out of step with the rest of the world when it comes to travel in your car or any other method of transportation.
Handling & Performance:
It is a handful to handle a large SUV and reminds me that it is just slightly smaller than my Ford F350 crew cab pickup truck that is built to pull a house. I don’t need big in a passenger vehicle but I know there is a need out there for such large SUVs as this Armada.
And naturally as you’d expect the powerful V8 is equal to the heavy loads it’s made to carry or pull. Thus big V8s consume a lot of fuel to run them.
Styling:
The look and feel hasn’t changed a lot since it was introduced in 2004 and remains an elegant offering in this segment of the market. In fact one of the slogans Nissan marketing uses to describe the Armada is “Big on Adventure, Big on Space”
Fit and Finish:
Everything is big. Big door handles, big seats, big wheels and tires etc., etc. like the truck platform it sits on.
Cost:
Price realization is equal to price anticipation the moment you get aboard. You simply know it will cost a lot.
Conveniences and comfort:
The price is explained in the list of all the comforts you could ever want or need. The kids are going to love this addition to the family. Heated 2nd row seats, Bose audio system with 11 speakers, MP3 and CD ROM playback with rear audio controls, 3rd row audio performance auxiliary input jack, DVD player with remote control and ceiling mounted 8” color display, rear seat wireless headphones, rear air conditioner with rear controls, 3 row overhead consoles and 6 lights, 4 – 12 volt power outlets and 1 with direct battery access.
Consumer Recommendation:
There is a lot of SUV here if you have a need. Son Mike could really use this sled for his 5 kids and all the stuff they are into in this high tech world in which we live. If you can’t travel back in time to a more simple life, this is the next best vehicle for the world in which we’re forced to survive.
Recognized Competition:
Nissan Armada $54,000, Land Rover LR4 $49,000, Lincoln Navigator $63,000, BMW X5 $64,000, Buick Enclave $36,000, Ford Expedition $42,000, Toyota Sequoia $45,000, Acura MDX $55,000, Audi Q7 $46,000, Cadillac Escalade $82,000, Chevrolet Suburban $51,000, Ford Explorer $34,000, GMC Yukon $44,000, GMC Yukon XL $53,000, GMC Yukon Denali $81,000, Infiniti QX56 $62,000, Mercedes-Benz GL Class $63,000, Toyota Land Cruiser $78,000, Volvo XC90 $45,000.
Good News:
Big comfort for those who need to move several passengers and cargo in style.
Bad News:
It will consume lots of gas.
Standard Equipment:
5.6 liter 317 horsepower V8 engine, 5-speed auto transmission, 2-speed transfer case with 4 low and Auto 4X4, 4-wheel independent suspension, auto leveling rear suspension, 4-wheel ABS disc Brakes, 4-wheel limited slip, 20” chrome wheels, full size spare, trailer brake controller pre-wire, receiver hitch with 7 pin wiring harness, front, side and roof mounted curtain and rollover supplemental air bags, LATCH system, dynamic control system, tire pressure monitor, security system, with engine immobilizer, 8-way power driver seat with manual lumbar support, padded armrest, fold flat 2nd row seating, power 3rd row with 60/40 split seat, 4-way power passenger seat, power adjustable pedals, leather seats, heated front and 2nd row seats, memory settings for driver seat and pedals and side view mirrors, leather wrapped heated steering wheel, wood tone trim, HDD Navigation system, XM / Bose audio w/ CD/ MP3, rear audio, Aux input jack, Bluetooth phone, DVD player w/ remote control, 8” ceiling mounted color display, dual zone climate control, rear A/C with rear controls, intelligent key, power windows & locks, 7” color display with rear view camera, front and rear sonar system, power sliding moon roof, footwell lights, 4-12 V power outlets, 1 with direct batter access, fog lights, front tow hooks, power folding heated side view mirrors, chrome roof rack with cross bars and power rear liftgate.
Gas Stats:
$3.55/ Gal avg. July 6, 2012
www.fueleconomy.gov
For more information.
12 City and Highway 18 MPG
Pricing:
MSRP $53,950.
