Nissan says it will be better than the Toyota Land Cruiser. We shall see.
Nissan
The Armada is Nissan’s flagship, full-size, body-on-frame, three-row SUV. The Japanese brand is dropping the Titan full-size pickup from the lineup after 2024, but reports say the truck-based Armada will live on with a third generation to rival vehicles like the Toyota Sequoia. Nissan reportedly previewed the new Armada for its dealers, and we could meet the new model very soon.
Here’s what we know about the new 2025 Nissan Armada.
The new Armada should be very similar to the 2025 Infiniti QX80
The 2025 Infiniti QX80, as seen in a teaser image.Infiniti
We should get an excellent sense of what the 2025 Armada is like when its luxury twin, the 2025 Infiniti QX80, debuts on March 20th, ahead of the 2023 New York International Auto Show.
Much like the Toyota Land Cruiser is twinned with the Lexus LX / Lexus GX, the QX80 and Armada are traditionally extremely similar beneath the skin, with the differences coming down to premium features and styling. So we should get a great idea what Nissan’s next full-size SUV is like, apart from the looks, when Infiniti pulls the sheet off.
Nissan says the 2025 Armada is better than the Toyota Land Cruiser
The Lexus LX 600.Lexus
Speaking of the Land Cruiser: Nissan senior VP Ivan Espinosa spoke to the Australian site CarExpert at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and noted that the new Armada used Toyota’s J300 Land Cruiser — sold as the Lexus LX 600 (seen above) in America — as a benchmark. Espinosa said the new SUV is “much better than the Land Cruiser.”
The 2025 Nissan Armada will ditch its V8 for a turbo V6
The 2025 QX80’s engine.Infiniti
Like the Sequoia, the new Armada will swap out its 5.6-liter V8 for a smaller, turbocharged motor for the third-generation model. Automotive News initially reported that Nissan will swap in a more powerful and efficient twin-turbocharged V6 that bumps the Armada up to 424 horsepower from 400. That engine will be paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission.
Nissan confirmed to CarExpert that the next-gen Armada will be switching to a twin-turbo V6. The engine has also been confirmed for the 2025 QX80.
Expect the 2025 Armada to be more modern, fancy and tech-forward
The 2024 Armada’s interior, which is feeling a little dated for 2024.Nissan
A Nissan dealer described the new Armada as “Range Rover-like.” That dealer does have a vested interest in building hype for the new Armada, but we should still expect some significant aesthetic upgrades even if it does not quite reach the status of one of America’s fastest-selling SUVs.
Automotive News says the new Armada will be bigger and look more rugged, with redesigned headlights and taillights. The report also says the Armada will receive upgraded interior finishes and bigger screens. We’d bet the Armada interior gets a more modern, squared-off look as well. Espinosa confirmed to Car Expert that infotainment was where customers would see a “big, big change.”
When will this new Nissan arrive?
Nissan
Nissan has not confirmed a reveal date for the Armada yet, but we can make an educated guess. As mentioned above, the 2025 QX80 is debuting in the first quarter of 2024; given the close relationship between the two, we fully expect the next Armada will drop as a 2025 model year vehicle well before Christmas.
How much will the new Armada cost?
Nissan
Nissan has not announced pricing for the 2025 Armada yet. The 2024 model jumped more than $4,000 in base price to $55,450 ($58,450 for 4×4). It still tops out a little bit above $70,000. We expect 2025 Armada price to be in that neighborhood, leaving room for a new Infiniti QX80 version to slot above it.
Wait, why isn’t the new Armada going to be electric?
Nissan
Nissan is converting much of its lineup to electric and hybrid power. Plans unveiled to dealers said Nissan will launch 27 new electrified vehicles by 2030, 19 of them battery electric. That rollout could include revolutionary new solid-state batteries, which could provide greater range and efficiency versus existing EVs’ packs.
Trouble is, something gas-powered and popular needs to generate profits to offset those development costs in the near term. A revamped Armada and keeping the Frontier pickup around longer should help Nissan do that.