One thing Nissan did lift from the Titan is the drivetrain, and it is a keeper. With 317 horses and a more relevant 385 pound-feet of torque, the Armada's 5.6-liter V8 is the strongest standard engine in its class, although mileage will typically range in the low-to-mid teens. Although it's not the most powerful SUV on the planet, the Armada's V8 and perfectly matched five-speed automatic make it very quick for its bulk and adept at pulling a crew of wakeboarders and their 6,000-pound boat. Max towing is 9,000 pounds, but better to go with a large, longer-wheelbase pickup if that's to be routine.
The brakes were upgraded in mid-2006, an improvement that should solve the brake issues of earlier models. The full complement of electronic assists is standard. Two-wheel-drive models use traction control, and 4WD models offer a 4Auto setting designed for daily use regardless of weather or road conditions. With good winter tires, you could follow the National Guard through a blizzard. Next Page