2004 Nissan Armada: Road Test
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2004 Nissan Armada ▼
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- MSRP: $33,300 -$40,600
- Invoice: $30,275 -$36,912
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Our road test for the 2004 Nissan Armada includes a full evaluation of the 2004 Nissan Armada from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2004 Nissan Armada, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2004 Nissan Armada help you decide if a 2004 Nissan Armada is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 4.3 |
Ample torque overcomes high weight for fairly strong takeoffs, though Armada bests heavier QX56 for passing response on highway and around town. Test QX56 and one test Armada had an overly sensitive throttle, resulting in jerky progress around town. Alert, smooth-shifting transmission has handy tow/haul mode. Towing capacity: 9100 lb Armada, 8900 QX56.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 2 |
Test 2WD Armada averaged 12 mpg, test 4WD version 13.9 with slightly more highway travel. Test QX56s averaged 12.9 mpg in mixed city/highway driving, 14.5 in mostly highway travel. Armada uses regular-grade fuel. Infiniti recommends premium for QX56.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 5.2 |
Standard 18-inch tires help Armada, QX56 absorb most low-speed bumps, ruts with little disturbance. At highway speed, Armada exhibits jiggly feel on blemished pavement. QX56 a tad smoother, more absorbent overall. With either, little float or wallow on dips and swells. In sum, both ride firmer than Chevrolet Suburban/Cadillac Escalade, slightly softer than Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.2 |
Relatively tight turning radius, but sheer size renders Armada/QX56 as ponderous in close quarters as any big SUV. No chore to drive otherwise. Steering firmer than Suburban's, not quite as sharp as Expedition's. Chassis more composed than either in corners. Good stopping power, but testers divided on pedal modulation, with some finding too much free play. We recommend the load-leveling rear suspension, which is standard on QX56.
QUIETNESS
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5.3 |
Extra sound insulation renders QX56 slightly quieter overall than Armada, but in either, engine roars intrusively in rapid acceleration. Wind, road noise nicely muffled.
CONTROLS
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 6.2 |
Armada/QX56 share basic cabin design. Unobstructed instrumentation. Door-mounted power window, lock switches set unusually high at sill level, but as with all gauges and controls, are clearly lit in pale orange. Three large dials govern climate system, but may be a stretch for some drivers, and position-indicator markings difficult for driver to see in daylight. Steering-wheel spokes have buttons for cruise control, selected audio functions. Armada cabin decor is pickup-truck plain, with serviceable vs. opulent materials, even with leather upholstery. Pricier QX56 aspires to luxury-class ambience with aluminum and wood trim, but falls short of Lexus, Range Rover in quality of assembly and materials. Test Armadas suffered a few grates and rattles, including squeaking steering column, plus wind whistle from cargo area. Suspension on one test QX56 creaked over low-speed bumps.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 8.7 |
Roomy, supportive seats, though Armada wedges manual driver lumbar-adjustment lever against door pillar. Standard tilt steering wheel (powered on QX56) has pleasingly thick, leather-wrapped rim. Teams with standard power pedals to dial in fine driving position. Notably large inside door handles shaped and sized for good grip and leverage. Tall design hides small nearby objects, but driver otherwise gets big-rig view with help from large outside mirrors, unobtrusive headrests. Very high step-in gives standard running boards a workout.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 7.7 |
Large doorways, but entry a challenge. Step-in steep. Exterior door handles are in roof pillars, a lofty 52 inches above ground. Generous 2nd-row space, but 2nd-row bucket seats narrow, lack contour and thigh support. Second-row buckets tumble forward, but resulting narrow passage means a jungle-gym climb into or out of 3rd row. Once there, you'll find a flat, hard, undersized bench and tighter quarters than in most other full-size SUVs.
CARGO ROOM
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8.8 |
Power liftgate a nice convenience, and standard on QX56, but load floor is high. Modest space behind 3rd row, which folds to create large, flat cargo expanse. However, raising the 3rd-row seatback requires crawling into the cargo area or onto the 2nd row. Second-row cushions flip forward, seatback drops flush with load floor. Carpeted panels bridge gap with folded 3rd row. No need to remove headrests to fold either rear row. Front-passenger seatback drops forward to create long cargo channel. Terrific interior storage: bins, pockets, beverage holders abound.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6.6 |
Armada and QX56 don't lead their respective classes in any area, though engine performance is laudable and prices generally undercut those of similarly equipped rivals. For 3rd-row comfort and ease of entry/exit, Armada and QX56 trail the pack. Despite some rattles and squeaks in our test examples, Nissan does have a good reputation for mechanical reliability, to which Infiniti adds red-carpet customer treatment.
Total Score
| 2WD LE | 4WD SE w/Leather Pkg. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 54 | 58 |
Total Score: 54
Scores for all Large Sport-utility Vehicles
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