Nissan Armada: For many years the Nissan Armada large, powerful and cozy but never truly recognized as a true off-roader—felt like the underdog in the world of full-size SUVs. For 2025 that is different. Nissan has unveiled the Armada Pro-4X a grade designed to take on off-road titan like the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro and Ford Expedition Timberline.
There is more to the 2025 facelift than just a new trim. Nissan has updated the whole Armada lineup with significant advancement in technology, comfort and performance. This is the most advanced and powerful Armada in history.
Introduction to the Pro-4X
The Pro-4X isn’t just for show—it’s built to take a beating on real trail.
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Key highlights include:
- Stands 80.1 inch tall (about the height of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal)
- 33-degree approach angle
- 24.5-degree departure angle
- 25.5-degree breakover angle
- 9.6 inches of ground clearance
- Red recovery tow hooks
- All-terrain Yokohama tires
- Electronic locking rear differential
- Rugged fender cladding and skid plates
The stance is aggressive, yet functional. Everything about the Pro-4X says: I wasn’t built to sit in mall parking lots.
Powertrain modifications and trade-offs
With all these off-roading capabilities, something had to give: Out with the old-school 5.6-liter V8 that used to power the Armada. The now-fit twin-turbo 3.5L V6 engine powers the SUV and is rated at 425 hp and a whopping 516 lb-ft of torque, and is therefore an upgrade of 24 hp and 103 lb-ft over the previous engine. The change of gears is handled by a nine-speed automatic, which is not free from foibles. It shifts very often even in highway condition sometimes to the point of feeling indecisive and overly active.
HIGHS: Fast-accelerating, peaceful, and spacious interior and a smooth ride with the smaller wheels.
Outwardly the V-6 seems an old diesel motor when idling, but stepping inside provides a cocoon for up to eight passengers in a tranquil 64-decibel environment at 70 mph. Extra legroom is provided in the first and third rows without changing the wheelbase due to the redesign. It does take away a few inches from the second row, but that alone actually allows for an impressive 4.5 inches of added space in the third row.
Nissan has tuned its standard V-6 for the use of regular fuel, sacrificing 25 horsepower versus the luxury counterpart of the Infiniti QX80 that requires premium fuel. Still, there is no loss in performance on the Pro-4X during testing, where it reached 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and did the quarter-mile run in 14.4 seconds at 98 mph, only edging ahead of the 406-pound-fatter QX80 by 0.2 and 0.1 seconds, respectively.
With the arrival of the Platinum Reserve, luxury simply comes with muscle.
There’s just a little bit of head toss at low speeds, while the ride is notably smooth compared to what we’ve experienced in the higher trims of the Armada or the Infiniti QX80, thanks to those smaller wheels. The new electric power steering feels a little heavy but it delivers better response than the previous hydraulic one. The brake pedal is soft but it has enough power to bring the weighty SUV to a stop from 70 mile per hour at 175 feet.
The entirely luxurious Platinum Reserve trim is the last stop on the Nissan Armada train trading Pro-4X off road heroics for upscale refinement and added features. The sky is the limit with this high-end version, and it offers a full array of goodies: quilted leather seats with massage functions for the front occupants; plush surfaces all around; adaptive air suspension; huge 22-inch wheels; and even a biometric skin sensor that cools its occupants based on body temperature.
Disadvantage: transmission is laggy, steering feel is vague and engine noise is noticeable at idle.
The Platinum Reserve has a posh gravitas, but it is not sacrosanct. The air-suspension and adaptive dampers aren’t meant for use with the huge 22-inch wheels, when coupled with Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires, the vehicle’s ride comfort suffers significantly. Even at its cousin, Infiniti QX80, there are noticeable shudders and wobbles inside the cabin. In contrast, the Pro-4X takes a smaller wheel (20 inches as opposed to the 22 of the Platinum Reserve) and has Yokohama all-terrain tires-and thus, like the third world couriers it goes, it is expected to absorb the little things more gracefully.
Oversize wheels allow more noise into the cabin. At highway speed (70 mph), the Platinum Reserve measured ambient noise at 66 decibels just a tad noisier than the quieter-at-64-decibels Pro-4X. Luckily, the great Klipsch audio can easily drown out such a difference while cranking it up.
The same would not be said of any of the braking tests made on the Platinum Reserve. From 70 mph it stopped in 179 feet a measurement longer than that of the Pro-4X. However it does register better skidpad grip, clocking 0.80 g compared to the Pro-4X’s 0.77 g. Fuel economy is yet another advantage of Platinum it achieved 22 mpg highway, exceeding its EPA rating by 3 mpg. Pro-4X has fallen 18 mpg behind.
It was found with performance testing that the Platinum Reserve which weighs more, is significantly slower at 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and finishes the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at 98 mph.
Both the entry price of $75,750 for the Pro 4X and $82,000 for the Platinum Reserve seem more than a little overprice. But they very handily undercut almost every competitor with similar equipment. Well endowed for upgrades and good value, the latest Armada has what it takes to do battle with “the big boys” among full-size SUVs.
Conclusion
The 2025 Nissan Armada finally gives buyers two strong personalities:
- Pro-4X — For people who want off-road credibility and adventure
- Platinum Reserve — For those who want premium comfort and high end tech
Powerful, luxurious, fuel-efficient and surprisingly capable—the Armada is no longer the forgotten SUV in the segment. It’s now a serious contender against the big name.
If you want a full-size SUV that balance power, practicality and price the new Armada is absolutely worth considering.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the best trim for off-road driving?
A: The Pro-4X trim is equipped with all terrain tire, skid plates a tow hook and a locking rear differential thus it is the one that is especially made for off road use.
Q2. What is the seating capacity of the Armada?
A: Eight positions for passengers maximum depending on how you arrange it.
Q3. Is the 2025 Armada worth the money?
A: Surely it is cheaper than the Tahoe Expedition and Sequoia and yet it has more feature for the same amount of money.
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