2007 Nissan Armada Review

Unlike the current selection of sport tourers, crossovers, and active lifestyle vehicles, there is no doubt to which class the 2007 Nissan Armada belongs. This XL SUV has all the hardware to compete in a class that the Americans used to have for themselves.

The Armada is available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The SE starts at $34,950 and includes such goodies as vehicle dynamic control, a six-disc CD changer, and all the usual power accessories. The LE 4WD starts at $43,050 and adds extras like 20-inch chrome wheels, an auto leveling suspension, an upgraded Bose stereo, front seat side impact air bags, fog lamps, and leather seats. The LE model also gets the hardest working outside mirrors in the industry; they are power adjustable, power folding, heated, auto-dimming, and even feature an integrated turn signal.

From the available eight-passenger seating to the brawny 5.6L V8 under the hood, the Armada is ready to be put to work. This muscular motor uses double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder to make 317 horsepower @ 4,900 rpms, and its hearty 385 lb-ft torque peak occurs at only 3,600 rpms. Nissan's goal was to out-power the American V8s, and one tromp on the gas pedal leaves no doubt that the Armada is a bruiser.

The only available transmission is a five-speed automatic; semi-manual shifting is accomplished with a gated floor shifter. On models equipped with four-wheel drive, a knob on the dash allows the driver to select among rear wheel-drive, automatic AWD, four-wheel high, and four-wheel low modes.

One of the best uses of an Armada is towing, as it can pull up to 9,100 pounds when the optional Tow Package is ordered. A button on the dash activates the transmission's tow mode, which helps to prevent the five-speed from hunting for gears on the uphill. There is even a transmission temperature gauge to help you keep an eye on this vital data as you head up to the mountain lake.

Available options include a rear seat entertainment system, a sunroof, satellite radio, second row captain chairs, a navigation system, a rearview camera, and FlexFuel capability.

With an EPA estimate of 13-city and 18 on the highway, this is not a vehicle for a single person to use for tooling around town. However, if your passenger list is longer than the number of fingers on one hand, or you've got a big load to tow, or you need to head into the wilderness, the Armada performs ably.
The 2007 Nissan Armada is largely unchanged from the previous model year. A luggage rack is now standard on the Armada SE, where previously it was not available. It may be hard to believe, but the powerful 5.6L V8 engine gets even stronger for 2007 by an additional 12 horsepower. Horsepower is up from 305 to 317, and torque remains at 385 lb-ft Nissan has also dropped the Armada SE Off-Road model. see less