The 1980s was the decade whence Japanese cars were finally making their mark an indelible one on the US market, and while despite still being prone to some Jingoist ridicule from some corners, they were offering products which though better in quality and efficiency, were nonetheless different than US cars. Skip forward to the 1990s onwards and one will notice that many US cars seem to take many of their cues from the Japanese and that the US’ most popular selling car is also Japanese. Of course this hasn’t been a complete one-way street, for the Japanese carmakers have learned to better appeal to the US car buyer with bigger space, displacement and trinkets, but what has changed is that the Japanese have studied their target market and its tastes and requirements so well that some of the best full-size road-biased SUVs, formerly a unique US niche, are now Japanese.
With a 5.6 litre V8, a gross weight of 3175kg and seating for seven people, the Nissan Armada is not just a car squarely aimed at the US market and on a secondary basis the Gulf market, but is in fact US built, in an act of almost reverse colonialism or a profitable goodwill gesture, by which it also provides jobs for the same Americans it serves. Unlike some other SUVs of this class, the Armada’s massive size feels well utilised and reflected by the generous limo-like interior space, with first and second row seating being exceptionally spacious and comfortable in terms of head and leg space, in addition to a decent third row, rather than one aimed at the dwarf market. Getting in and out of the Armada is also gracious and dignified, with big and wide opening doors due to a longer wheelbase than some other SUVs, which suffer from door length loss to the rear wheel arches. Incidentally, the longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs also make the Armada more stable and help with handling. The Armada also impresses with its high quality and generous equipment and luxury levels that are so aesthetic, functional and spacious that my one minor grip concerns the orange surround on the central dial in the instrument cowl.
Grace and dignity are a recurring Armada theme, with these qualities also on display in its exterior styling and lines starting from its elegant yet aggressively butch grille and bulgingly muscular bodywork. With almost equal height and width and long length, the Armada is an almost exact rectangle, which is a basic and visually correct shape. This rectangular shape is broken up into two distinct sections, with the front two rows featuring a slightly bulbous arced roofline, which becomes a sharp straight rear roofline and in effect this integrated contrast gives the Armada’s silhouette a visually arresting and aesthetically interesting contour. Complementing this are the minimalist hidden rear door handles.
While not a sports-SUV like the Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne or even the BMW X5, the Armada is rather of the full-size CIA-mobile type of SUV made primarily for utility and comfort for the long haul, towing and some occasional off-roading, but will also be used as a daily driver by many US and Gulf families and glitz-mobile for some. Within these parameters, I was astounded by the Armada’s poise, grace and skill, as vehicles this big and heavy, built on an old-school ladder-frame chassis are not expected to handle so well. In absolute terms this is not the best off-roader or best handling SUV, but it isn’t meant to be the best in either, rather, it is a mammoth luxo-SUV with intriguingly car-like handling.
The main reason for the Armada’s terrific driving dynamics is its independent double wishbone rear suspension, which is a rarity in this US-dominated segment of full-size luxo-SUVs, in contrast with most US designs, which are effectively tricked out truck designs, utilising a live rear axle, which while terrific for cost-cutting, durability and general heavy-duty and industrial use, is however awful in terms of handling, agility and driving dynamics. A faced paced drive through desert plains with a tight, very badly paved and twisty (and dusty) road, during which we put the Armada through its paces, its superior and sophisticated suspension ironed out much of the rough road texture and allowed for a high- speed sprint that couldn’t be performed at this level of speed, control or poise by many of its rivals. On the many quick and successive bends and twists in the road, with 4x4 engaged, the Armada proved spectacular in its body control and re-assuring agility which belied the height, weight and body on chassis architecture. In addition to the longer wheelbase proportion and the independent suspension, the Armada’s gas-powered dampers were the third main ingredient in its ability to ride and handle with such comfort, control, grace and poise.
Complementing the Armada’s size, style, refinement and driving ability, is a powerhouse 5.6 litre V8 engine, which with its DOHC 32-valve set-up is much more sophisticated than its US rivals, but also unleashes a very potent, rich and early available torque output of 393lb/ft (SAE Net) peaking at 3400rpm very able to launch and propel the Armada with aplomb. While its engine is geared more for high torque to shift its mass, the big V8 also offers a hefty and honest 320hp (SAE Net) at a well-paced 5200rpm, that makes for a well-judged, smooth and natural transition from torque to power and ultimately provides for relaxed cruising, confident overtaking and reassured high- speed driving. Tough good looks, decent off-road skills, enormous space, luxury, convenience and creature comforts, as well as exquisite driving dynamics and terrific power make the Nissan Armada a special vehicle indeed, as the thinking man’s barge-sized luxo-SUV cruiser able to deal with the dynamic requirements of a variety of driving and road conditions rather than being a one party-trick straight line cruiser.
