The V8 is Dead. Long Live the Twin-Turbo? Living with the 2025 Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada has arrived, and let’s address the elephant in the room immediately: the V8 is gone.

For years, the naturally aspirated 5.6L Endurance V8 was the heart and soul of this truck—thirsty, yes, but reliable and characterful. Replacing it with a V6 feels almost sacrilegious to the old-school SUV crowd. But after spending some serious time with the all-new 2025 model, I’m here to tell you that this isn't just a downsized compromise. It’s a massive leap forward.

This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a total reimagining. We’re finally getting the global bones of the legendary Nissan Patrol, repackaged with a North American luxury twist. It’s bigger, tougher, and significantly more modern. But with a price tag climbing over $80,000 USD ($106,000 CAD) for the top trims, the question remains: is it enough to dethrone the domestic kings like the Tahoe or the hybrid Toyota Sequoia?

Let’s dig in.

The Heart Transplant: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6

If you’re mourning the V8, dry your tears. The new powertrain is a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6, and spec-wise, it crushes its predecessor. We’re talking 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s a bump in power and a massive jump in torque compared to the old engine.

Paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission, this thing moves. In our testing, we clocked a 0-60 mph time of around 6.3 seconds. For a vehicle that feels like a rolling fortress, that is genuinely zippy. You brake-boost it, the front end lifts like a trophy truck, and it just goes.

The sound? Surprisingly good. The turbos are loud—in a good way. You get a nice induction noise that makes you forget about the displacement deficit. It tows just as much as before—8,500 lbs—so you aren't losing any utility on the weekend haul.

Ride & Handling: A "Fortress on Wheels"

The first thing you notice when you get moving is the silence. This is where the Armada separates itself from the more "truck-like" competitors. The sound insulation is incredible. Even compared to the new Lexus GX 550 or the Land Cruiser, which have wind noise issues due to their boxy shapes, the Armada is dead silent.

The chassis stiffness has been increased by 25% (torsional) and 57% (lateral), and you feel it. It doesn’t shudder over bumps; it absorbs them. If you opt for the air suspension (available on the Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve), it smooths out the road beautifully. It almost feels like a luxury sedan from the driver’s seat, which is high praise for a body-on-frame giant.

Steering is another highlight. It’s weighty and precise—not vague like some full-size SUVs where you’re constantly correcting on the highway. It stays planted.

Off-Road Chops: The Pro-4X Treatment

We tested the capabilities off the pavement, and "tank" is the operative word here. The transition from tarmac to gravel was imperceptible.

For 2025, Nissan has introduced the Pro-4X trim to the Armada lineup, clearly gunning for the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro. With the Pro-4X, you get:

• Standard 4WD with a locking rear differential.

• All-terrain tires and 20-inch wheels.

• Improved approach/departure angles (thanks to that air suspension lift).

• Underbody skid plates and those signature red tow hooks.

• 8 Selectable Drive Modes: Standard, Eco, Sport, Tow, Snow, Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut.

There’s also a new tech feature called Invisible Hood View. Using exterior cameras, the infotainment screen projects a view of what is directly underneath the engine bay, effectively making the hood transparent. It’s a game-changer for cresting steep hills or parking in tight garages where you don't want to crush a kid's bike.

Interior: NASA Seats and Biometric Tech

The interior of the previous Armada felt... let's be polite and say "classic." The 2025 model is a spaceship by comparison.

The dashboard is dominated by dual 14.3-inch displays (one for the gauge cluster, one for infotainment) running Google Built-in. It’s snappy, high-res, and thankfully, Nissan kept physical buttons for the climate control and drive modes. Thank you, Nissan.

The seats are "NASA-inspired zero gravity" seats, and they live up to the hype. They are incredibly supportive, and on top trims, they are heated, ventilated, and massaging. Speaking of climate, the Armada features a Biometric Cooling system. An infrared sensor on the roofliner actually reads your body temperature and automatically adjusts the climate control if it senses you're overheating. It sounds gimmicky, but in practice, it’s the kind of "set it and forget it" luxury you want at this price point.

Cargo Space & Practicality: Why It Beats the Sequoia

This is where the Armada throws a serious punch at its main rival, the Toyota Sequoia.

If you’ve looked at the new Sequoia, you know the pain point: because of its hybrid battery and solid rear axle, the third row doesn't fold flat into the floor. You get a weird shelf system that compromises cargo height. The Armada, however, has no such issue.

• Behind the 3rd Row: You get 20.4 cubic feet. That’s enough for a few carry-ons or a decent grocery run.

• Third Row Folded: Push a button, and the seats disappear flat into the floor, opening up 56.3 cubic feet.

• Maximum Capacity: Fold the second row, and you are looking at a cavernous 97.1 cubic feet of flat, usable space.

Compare that to the Sequoia’s max of roughly 86.9 cubic feet, and the Armada is the clear winner for hauling gear.

Furthermore, the Armada uses "theater seating," meaning the third row is mounted slightly higher than the second. This gives rear passengers a view out the windshield (great for preventing motion sickness) without crushing their knees. I fit back there comfortably with 32.9 inches of legroom—significantly more than the Sequoia's cramped 28.1 inches.

Fuel Economy: The Reality Check

Okay, so the V8 is gone, which means we should be getting Prius-level mileage, right? Well, not exactly.

The EPA rates the 4WD Armada at 16 mpg city / 19 mpg highway (17 combined). If you go for the Pro-4X with its knobby tires and aero-unfriendly bits, that drops slightly to 15/18 mpg.

In our real-world testing, which included some highway cruising and some spirited launches (for science, obviously), we averaged roughly 18.5 mpg.

Is it better than the old V8? Yes, definitely. Is it as good as the Sequoia’s hybrid system (which nets around 20-22 mpg)? No. You are still driving a massive, boxy house on wheels. You’re trading a few MPG for a better third row and more usable cargo space. Pick your poison.

The Tech: Hands-Free Highway Driving

Nissan is debuting Pro Pilot 2.1 here, and it’s impressive. On compatible highways, this allows for true hands-free driving. It tracks the lane dead center, handles curves smoothly, and can even change lanes automatically if you signal. In our testing, it felt more confident than similar systems from Toyota or Mazda, legitimately reducing fatigue on long road trips.

The Verdict

The 2025 Nissan Armada is no longer the "budget alternative" you settle for because you couldn't find a Tahoe. It’s a legitimate contender that beats the competition in some key areas:

• Vs. Toyota Sequoia: The Armada has a usable third row, a flat cargo floor, and a quieter ride.

• Vs. Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon: The Armada feels more uniquely "global" and rugged, though the GM twins still offer a diesel option that Nissan lacks.

At $82,000+ USD / $106,000+ CAD for the loaded models, it’s expensive. But for a vehicle that blends the rugged bones of a global patrol truck with NASA-grade comfort and legitimately useful tech, it feels worth it. Nissan isn't just playing catch-up anymore; they’re building something competitive.

Enjoyed the written review? Watch the full visual breakdown on the Sleepy Garage YouTube channel to hear that twin-turbo V6 sing.