Discover Why You Shouldn’t Rush into Buying a Tahoe Without Considering These Essential Factors First

The 2025 Nissan Armada: A Fresh Take on the Family Hauler

The 2025 Nissan Armada has never been bad. Overlooked, maybe, but never bad. It’s just that when most people go searching for three-row SUVs, they opt for the American brands first: Chevy, GMC, Dodge, Jeep, Ford, and Lincoln. Okay, maybe not Lincoln, but all the others, for sure. But the Armada has been waiting patiently for folks to give it the time of day. And now, with its total redesign for 2025, it’s better than before – and not just by a little.

It took some major changes to get here, like ditching the V8. And while I don’t think the twin-turbo V6 is the single biggest difference maker with this new generation, it plays an undeniable role. What really took me by surprise was the refinement and sturdiness – we’re still talking about Nissan, here. It turns out that just because a company sells most of its cars to rental fleets and college freshmen doesn’t mean its flagship has to be cheap, too.

Of course, it isn’t perfect. What new car is? Very few, especially in the large body-on-frame SUV segment, which plays to the Armada’s advantage. For maybe the first time, I wouldn’t blame someone for buying one instead of a new Tahoe, even on the high trims.

[Image: Nissan Armada Pro-4X]

The 2025 Armada starts at just under $58,000, which is lower than pretty much any other three-row, body-on-frame SUV on the market. It’s roughly $2,000 less than a Tahoe, $5,000 less than a Suburban or Expedition, and $7,000 less than a Jeep Wagoneer or GMC Yukon. These big family haulers obviously vary in equipment, but I think it’s worth noting that the Armada tops out at a lower price as well. You can spec a Tahoe all the way above $90,000.

[Image: 2025 Nissan Armada SL]

Overall, driving the 2025 Armada is more than just good – it’s nearing great, at least on the upper trims. You’d hope so for that much money, but having done this job for a while, I can say that more expensive doesn’t always mean more better.

Nissan Armada Features, Options, and Competition

The entry-level 2025 Armada SV is actually the same price as the previous model year at $58,530 including destination. Make it 4×4 and that price goes up $3,000, which is the case for all trims except for the Pro-4X, where it’s standard. Every new Armada gets the twin-turbo V6 and nine-speed automatic, while the premium Klipsch audio is standard on the $64,980 SL trim and above. You could max out a Platinum Reserve for around $85,000 with the hands-free driving goodies and 4×4, and that trim gets massaging front seats. It’s the little things, right?

[Image: 2025 Nissan Armada Pro-4X]

The Early Verdict

I said earlier that I wouldn’t blame someone for buying one of these over a high-trim Tahoe. I stand by that because the more I write about the Nissan and the more I look at its design, the more I’m encouraged by its freshness. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and it won’t knock the Chevy from the top sales spot, but for those who want something different than the dozens of Bowties they see in the school pickup line, the Armada is arguably it.

I’m anxious to know if I feel the same about the lower trims, but as for my early verdict, I think the Nissan Armada is legitimately worth looking into. Who knows, maybe you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the way it glides. I know I was, and it’s good to see that Nissan is capable of pumping out fresh products that make sense. This is one of ’em, and it’s arguably one of the most important cars to get right.

I’d say Nissan did it here.

2025 Nissan Armada Specs

Base Price (Platinum Reserve as tested)	$58,530	$86,840
Powertrain	3.5-liter twin-turbo V6	9-speed automatic	rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive
Horsepower	425 @ 5,600 rpm	516 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
Seating Capacity	7 or 8
Cargo Volume	20.4 cubic feet behind third row	56.3 cubic feet behind second row	97.1 cubic feet behind first row
Curb Weight	5,677-6,111 pounds
Max Towing	8,500 pounds
Ground Clearance	9.6 inches	9.9 inches (SL, Platinum)	11.5 inches (Pro-4X, highest setting)
Off-Road Angles	Pro-4X	33.0° approach	25.5° breakover	24.5° departure	Premium	16.5° approach	21.6° breakover	22.0° departure
EPA Fuel Economy	TBD
Quick Take	The redesign worked, making the Armada a more versatile family hauler worth your time and maybe even your money.
Score	8.5/10

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