Nissan Armada

The Armada is Nissan's full-size body-on-frame SUV — Tahoe / Suburban / Expedition / Sequoia rival. Built on the Nissan Patrol Y61 / Y62 / Y63 global platform, made at Kyushu, Japan. Three generations in the US market. 1st gen (TA60, 2004-2015): launched 2003 as 2004 model year, originally called 'Pathfinder Armada' for 2004 only. Built at Canton, Mississippi alongside Titan. 5.6L VK56DE V8 (305 hp / 379 lb-ft), 5-speed automatic. Body-on-frame F-Alpha platform shared with Titan / Frontier (early). 11-year run. 2nd gen (Y62, 2017-2024): imported from Japan as a re-badged Nissan Patrol Y62 (sold globally) — Nissan made the call to switch to the Patrol global platform mid-decade. 5.6L VK56VD V8 (390 hp / 394 lb-ft, direct-injection upgrade), 7-speed automatic. RWD or 4WD. Excellent off-road capability inherited from Patrol. Got a 2021 facelift refreshing the fascia and adding 12.3-inch infotainment. 3rd gen (Y63, 2025-present): complete redesign — drops the VK56 V8 after 21 years and replaces it with a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (425 hp / 516 lb-ft, the same VR35DDTT family as Infiniti QX80 — Armada's luxury sister). 9-speed automatic. RWD or 4WD with electronic transfer case. Independent rear suspension finally arrives (long-overdue — Patrol Y62 had it but Armada Y62 retained beam-axle for some reason). Built in Japan. Trims: SV, SL, Platinum Reserve, PRO-4X (off-road — first-ever Armada PRO-4X — has electronic locking rear, Bilstein dampers, all-terrain tires). 8,500 lb towing. Cabin: 14.3-inch touchscreen + 12.3-inch digital cluster, Google built-in, 64-color ambient lighting, Klipsch 14-speaker (Platinum Reserve). The 3rd-gen Armada has been received well — finally competitive with Tahoe / Sequoia after years of feeling dated.