2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve Review

In an era where SUVs blur into a homogeneous tide of soft curves and suburban sensibilities, the all-new 2025 Nissan Armada arrives like a linebacker in a ballroom—bold, un-apologetically burly, and unexpectedly graceful. With a redesigned exterior that trades brute bulk for chiseled modernity, and an interior that swaps utilitarian plastic for luxe appointments, Nissan’s flagship SUV makes a compelling case for the full-size body-on-frame brute still having a soul. It’s a rolling paradox: a high-riding family hauler that’s as comfortable conquering Costco runs as it is clawing its way up mountain switchbacks. The Armada, once an afterthought, now demands attention—and it earns it.

Nissan has completely redesigned the Armada for the 2025 model year, marking the 3rd generation of this huge SUV. However, the Armada has been around in other markets much longer, known as the Nissan Patrol, making the new vehicle the 7th iteration of this body-on-frame SUV.

In this review, you’ll see how the latest Armada stacks up against rivals like Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition for performance, tech features, and ride quality. Keep reading to see if this SUV really deserves your hard-earned money.

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Nissan Armada gets a complete redesign, and it looks better than ever. The new model replaces the V8 with a turbocharged V6 engine. Some customers will surely complain about the lack of a V8, but the V6 is relatively more fuel efficient. Check out my review of the V8 powered 2020 Nissan Armada, which at the time was the least fuel efficient vehicle I had ever reviewed.

This new engine offers plenty of power—and it likely means improved fuel economy, too. Visually, the third-generation model appears sharper, with stronger lines and a more upscale look overall.

It is a slightly different take on the soft lines of the Infiniti QX80, which is based on the Armada.

The Platinum Reserve trim transforms the Armada from family hauler to luxury cruiser without the luxury price tag.

Inside, Nissan upgraded the cabin significantly, using higher-quality materials and a cleaner, modern layout. Depending on your preferred second-row arrangement, the SUV can seat up to seven or eight people comfortably.

And if you need cargo space, the Armada offers up to 97.1 cubic feet with all rear seats folded—a ton of room for luggage, camping gear, or even supplies from a Home Depot run.

Canadian Pricing For the 2025 Nissan Armada

In Canada, the 2025 Nissan Armada is four trims, with an additional trim being the “Captain’s Chair” trim, which just replaces the second-row seats with captain’s chairs. The base 2025 Nissan Armada SL starts at $84,998. The Armada Platinum starts at $93,998, the Armada PRO-4X starts at $94,998, and the Armada Platinum Reserve starts at $104,998. The addition of Captain’s Chairs to the Platinum Reserve increases the price by $1,000 to $105,998 Canadian. These prices are before dealer fees, Freight & PDI, and taxes and levies.

The third generation Armada is not a cheap vehicle, especially in the top trim, but it’s competitive with other vehicles in this class, like the Suburban and Expedition. For comparison, the 2020 Armada Platinum Reserve Captain’s Chairs I reviewed had a price tag of $73,000, that’s an increase of around $33,000! Comparing it to the QX80, it’s a relative bargain.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The new Armada packs a punch with its twin-turbo V6 engine that feels like a tamed GT-R under the hood. It is equipped with the same engine found on the Infiniti QX80, and is just as impressive here in the Nissan as it was in the Infiniti.

Twin-turbo V6 engine specifications

Nissan swapped out its previous V8 engine for a powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 (VR35DDTT). This engine puts out an impressive 425 horsepower at 5,600 rpm—more than enough muscle for an SUV this big. Even better, torque hits 516 lb-ft at 3,600 rpm, providing serious pulling power right from low RPMs. Coupled with a quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission, this engine responds faster than the older drivetrain.

Comparing it to the outgoing V8, the V6 has 25 more horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque.

Acceleration feels immediate—the twin-turbo setup makes sure of that—and turbo lag is barely noticeable. On my test drive, the Armada pulled strongly from low to high RPMs, feeling quicker than expected for its size.

Compared with competitors like the Lincoln Navigator and Dodge Durango, the Armada’s V6 sits perfectly between raw power and fuel efficiency.

0-60 MPH times

You’d expect a vehicle this size to be slow, but you’ll be surprised by how quickly it accelerates. Its twin-turbo V6 engine propels the hefty SUV from 0 to 60 mph (0 – 96 km/h) in an impressive 5.5 seconds.

That’s sports car speed packed into a ride weighing over two tons. With 425 horsepower and a huge 516 lb-ft of torque, the all-wheel-drive system manages power effortlessly.

The new Armada doesn’t just move – it rockets forward with GT-R-inspired urgency that defies its size.

Acceleration feels powerful yet smooth, and there’s barely any turbo delay. My passengers clutched the seats tightly during quick takeoffs. The Armada’s speed clearly beats competitors such as Toyota’s Land Cruiser in straight-line acceleration.

Adaptive air suspension manages the SUV’s weight effectively, maintaining balance and stability even during aggressive starts.

2025 Nissan Armada Fuel Consumption

Although, the 2025 Nissan Armada replaces the V8 for a V6, it’s still quite thirsty, but still considerably better than the V8. Based on manufacturer provided number, the Armada should consume 14.7/12.4/13.7 liters/100 kilometers in city/highway/combined driving. Compare that to 17.5/12.9/15.4 for the old V8 version.

Of course, these numbers are in ideal condition and your consumption will vary based on driving style, driving conditions, and whether you’re towing heavy (or light) objects.

In real world driving conditions, the onboard computer showed 13.3 L/100 km, in about 40/60 city/highway driving. I was driving with a light foot, trying to save as much gas as possible.

Towing and payload capacity

The 2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve pulls weight like a pro, for those wanting to tow campers, boats, or other heavy objects. Its maximum tow rating hits an impressive 8,500 pounds, enough for all your needs.

Credit goes to its powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, which delivers smooth muscle exactly when needed. The all-wheel drive setup adds grip and stability, keeping tires planted firmly on the road—even when hauling heavy gear behind you.

Exterior Styling

Nissan has done an excellent job in the styling department. This is subjective, I personally like the look of the 3rd generation Armada a lot. It is muscular, in your face, and looks ready to take on rough terrain (not that you’d want to do that in a $100k+ vehicle). Comparing the looks to the QX80, which has more softer lines but the overall shape is the same, I think Armada looks more off-road worthy while the QX80 is more of a luxury statement.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2025 Armada’s cabin feels like a luxury condo on wheels, with buttery leather seats and real wood trim that make even long road trips a joy.

Cabin design and materials

I climbed into the 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve and immediately noticed its upscale feel, it’s almost as good as the QX80. Nissan has seriously raised the bar with this redesign—no doubt about that.

Quality materials line nearly every surface you touch, giving the cabin a truly premium impression. The dashboard looks modern yet inviting, easy to use without feeling overly flashy.

My hand brushed over the detailed stitching on the seats while testing the heating and cooling options. Front seats come heated and ventilated, perfect for comfort in any weather. Even passengers in the second-row captain’s chairs get heated seats—plus their own climate control settings to manage comfort all the way to the third row.

Little touches like these clearly set the Platinum Reserve apart from the Armada’s lower trims. Now, let’s check out the space this SUV provides—for passengers and cargo alike.

Seating capacity and cargo space

The Platinum Reserve has plenty of space for the entire crew. This roomy beast seats eight (or 7 in our case) people easily, offering smooth, leather seats that wouldn’t feel out of place in a luxury sedan—definitely not the usual rugged SUV feel.

My family especially appreciates the roomy third row; adults fit easily without feeling cramped up like pretzels. Plus, the cargo area layout makes everyday tasks much simpler. Behind the third row, there’s 20.4 cubic feet of storage—perfect for quick grocery trips or weekend luggage.

Fold the third-row seats down, and you instantly get 56.3 cubic feet, ideal for sports equipment or camping gear. With all passenger seats (except mine) folded completely flat, cargo space swells to an impressive 97.1 cubic feet, easily fitting furniture or building supplies.

The adjustable air suspension keeps the ride smooth and steady, no matter how heavy the load gets.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The new Armada’s 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes my daily drives more fun, while the 13-speaker Bose audio system turns my cabin into a concert hall – I can’t wait to show you what else this tech package offers!

Display and audio system features

I’m seriously impressed by the huge screens inside this Armada Platinum Reserve. Top trims feature a giant 14.3-inch touchscreen, taking center stage in the dashboard, while the SL trim offers a generous 12.3-inch display—still pretty amazing if you ask me.

I can swipe and tap effortlessly, with absolutely no delay or freezing. Both screen options play nicely with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connecting my phone immediately, without needing wires.

Audio performance inside the 2025 Armada truly amazes. Nissan teamed up with audio experts at Klipsch for a stunning sound setup. Twelve high-quality speakers deliver 600 watts of crystal-clear sound, creating an experience close to a live show.

AM, FM, and SiriusXM stations come through perfectly clear and crisp. The bass pumps so deep, you literally feel it in your chest; the highs stay clean and sharp even at full volume.

Ideal for blocking out noisy roads during off-road thrills or lengthy highway trips with that powerful twin-turbo V6 engine rumbling beneath the hood.

Smartphone integration and advanced tech

The 2025 Armada Platinum Reserve makes connecting your phone easier than ever. I plugged mine in and it instantly synced with wireless Apple CarPlay—no delay at all. Android users receive the same smooth experience, thanks to wireless Android Auto.

Google Maps serves as the standard navigation tool, clearly beating most built-in navigation systems. Voice requests work flawlessly with Google Assistant, letting you speak commands without ever glancing away from the road.

Plus, a wireless charging pad conveniently sits right in the center console, so you’re done digging around for cords on those lengthy drives.

But this Nissan flagship goes well beyond connecting phones. ProPilot Assist 2.1 allows true hands-free highway driving, helping to reduce fatigue on longer trips. It smoothly centers the Armada in its lane and maintains your set following distance from traffic ahead.

The adaptive air suspension is also a highlight—it automatically adjusts itself to handle different road surfaces comfortably. With the Platinum Reserve trim, Nissan clearly knows what today’s drivers want in a premium SUV.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2025 Armada packs some serious safety tech with standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and a 360-degree camera system that makes parking this beast a breeze – check out my full safety breakdown to see how this SUV keeps your family protected on every adventure.

Standard safety features

I really like how Nissan packed the 2025 Armada with smart safety features. Every trim level includes Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, giving you extra confidence for family road trips or off-road fun.

This safety bundle comes with automatic emergency braking, which spots pedestrians—a lifesaver on busy city streets. It also has blind spot alerts to warn about vehicles lurking in your side mirrors, along with lane departure warnings to help keep you safely centered on highways.

What makes this setup even better is how smoothly it teams up with the adaptive air suspension, helping the Armada stay steady during quick moves or tricky situations. And the best part? Unlike some other brands, these systems aren’t pushy or annoying—there only when you need them.

Advanced driver-assistance systems

The 2025 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve is loaded with advanced safety features, making driving safer, simpler, and less stressful. These smart systems work together—helping me protect myself and passengers—but still require me to stay alert behind the wheel.

• ProPILOT Assist 2.1 provides hands-free driving on single-lane highways, reducing stress during those long freeway drives.
• Trailer Blind Spot Monitoring helps spot hidden vehicles lurking beside my trailer, making towing easier and safer.
• Automatic Emergency Braking spots potential collisions ahead and hits the brakes if I don’t respond in time.
• Lane Departure Warning alerts me whenever my Armada drifts out of its lane without signaling.
• Adaptive Cruise Control keeps a steady distance from the vehicles ahead, teaming up with a twin-turbo V6 engine for a smooth, responsive ride.
• The 360-Degree Camera System gives me a clear overhead view of the SUV, extremely useful while parking such a large vehicle.
• Traffic Sign Recognition reads road signs—including speed limits—and shows them clearly on the dashboard display.
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert notifies me about anything coming from either side as I reverse, adding confidence in tight parking lots.
• Forward Collision Warning signals clearly when my SUV is approaching another vehicle too fast ahead.
• Driver Attention Monitor notices signs of tiredness, encouraging rest breaks to help me stay alert on the road.

Final Thoughts on the 2025 Nissan Armada

The 2025 Nissan Armada dominates Nissan’s SUV lineup. I love the way this beast blends pure muscle—from a powerful twin-turbo V6—with upscale features that match more expensive SUVs.

Adaptive air suspension smooths out bumpy rides, and the cabin stays calm and quiet, even at highway speeds. Starting at around $85,000, you enjoy impressive towing strength, real off-road talent, and easy-to-use tech that makes long drives relaxing. It does get expensive as you move up the trims, but this is the world we live in now.

The Armada Platinum Reserve shows Nissan knows exactly how to craft a high-end SUV that tackles tough tasks—and makes weekend adventures easy—without needing to spend six figures.

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