The Most Affordable Full-Size SUV To Offer Three-Row Seats As Standard

Summary

• The Nissan Armada offers competitive pricing and a robust V-8 powertrain for those prioritizing performance and space over luxury.
• The Armada’s interior is spacious with a V-8 engine as standard, making it a practical option for families needing room and power.
• While the Armada may lack fuel efficiency compared to its rivals, its budget-friendly starting price and cargo space make it a compelling SUV choice.

In the ever-growing landscape of SUVs, competition is rife. Particularly in recent years, this competition has been brilliant for the consumer as the war to offer the best level of value has brought tons of affordable, well-equipped SUVs to market. If you’re looking for an SUV that offers brilliant practicality but you’re on a budget, you’re going to be spoiled for choice.

While crossovers and midsize SUVs are dominating the market right now, there are still a decent number of people who want a no-compromise three-row family hauler that offers excellent performance and tons of space. In the full-size segment, the Nissan Armada stands out as the most budget-friendly option to offer three rows.

We take a deep dive into the different aspects of the Nissan Armada and uncover just how well-equipped it is in its base form. We look at all the additional extras that Nissan offers just how much you might have to spend to have a competitive full-size SUV at a bargain price and how the Armada weighs up against its competitors.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. All SUVs mentioned in this article are part of the 2024 model year.

The Nissan Armada SV Starts At $55,720

The Nissan Armada has a brilliant starting price that is much more affordable than most of its competitors in this segment. Whilst many other manufacturers offering full-size SUVs have shifted their focus towards luxury, Nissan has acknowledged that there are still plenty of everyday people who want a robust everyday SUV that is old school and uncompromising on space. Its practicality and capability make it one of the most underrated full-size SUVs on the market.

2024 Nissa Armada Trims

(Source: Nissan)

The starting price of the Nissan Armada SV is one that you are going to find attractive. It is cheaper than any other full-size SUV with three rows that you can find on the market. Nissan has also equipped their base offering fairly well and, while you won’t find yourself with tons of luxuries, you’ll have all the basics that you need. If you’re willing to bypass fancy extras and pay the premium for the added interior space, then you’ll find the Armada suits you great.

If the basics just aren’t going to cut it for you then we’d suggest moving up to the middle of the road SL. You’ll be stretching your budget, but you’ll also be getting a ton of equipment for your money while still having an SUV that is price competitive with rivals offering similar features. The SV features things like trailer brake and sway control as well as tech upgrades like integrated Amazon Alexa.

Standard Features On The Armada SV

• V-8 powertrain
• Nissan 360 safety suite
• Leatherette seats
• 12.3-inch infotainment screen
• Heated front seats
• Roof Rails

The Armada SV is a great entry point for those who don’t care for luxuries and are more concerned with good old-fashioned performance and space. One of the biggest appeals of the Armada is the fact that it comes standard with a V-8 powertrain, something that is appealing to anyone who even remotely likes cars. The Armada SV is the perfect family-friendly SUV if you are more interested in robustness than you are technology.

The Full-Size Nissan Armada Packs A Roomy Interior

The Nissan Armada’s spacious interior is by far one of its best qualities. It’s the biggest and most expensive SUV in the Nissan lineup. With its lower price point than most other full-size SUVs, you might think that Nissan has had to sacrifice quality and room in the interior and that just isn’t the case. Even in the base level Armada, whether you’re the driver or a passenger you’re going to find the cabin cavernous.

Nissan Armada Interior Specs

(Source: Nissan)

Nissan’s value-oriented full-size SUV features a third row as standard and enough seating for either seven or eight passengers. The second row of seats is a bench as standard, but these can be swapped out for captain’s chairs.

The main shortfall of the Armada, as is the case with many older SUVs, is its third row. To offer such a huge amount of space for those in the first and second rows, Nissan has given the Armada a third row that is only big enough for children. More expensive competitors in this class offer much more legroom.

Armada SV Cargo Space

(Source: Nissan)

With the third row folded down, the Nissan Armada has a super competitive cargo hold, even more so when you fold the second row down as well. In this configuration, there is very little that the Armada won’t be able to haul. However, if you need all three rows of seats, your cargo space becomes tiny. Even some mid-size SUVs have better cargo space behind the third row.

A 400 Horsepower 5.6-Liter V-8 Powers The Armada

Perhaps the most exciting part of the Armada is its powertrain. If you’re a petrolhead then the sound of a V-8 is enough to instantly sell you on a car. Nissan has included its raucous powertrain as standard across all trim levels of the Armada.

Nissan Armada Performance

(Source: Nissan)

The robust V-8 in the Nissan Armada may not be the most modern powertrain but it certainly gets the job done. Its 400 horsepower rating is a little more than a ton of the Armada’s rivals in the full-size segment and this shows in the fact that it’s able to get to 60 miles per hour from a stop much quicker too. It also claims the title as the cheapest SUV to offer a V-8.

Nissan’s Armada can be had in either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, with the latter being a cost-bearing extra. Either way though, the Armada can tow up to 8500 pounds. This may not be a class-leading figure but it beats out some competitors and is also more than the average everyday driver will ever get close to.

Armada Fuel Economy

(Source: EPA)

The downside to having a 400-horsepower V-8 powertrain is poor fuel efficiency. On top of this, Nissan’s full-size SUV is not exactly light. This culminates in fuel economy figures that get beat out by just about every other vehicle in this segment, particularly its direct competition in the Ford Expedition and the Chevy Tahoe.

The Full-Size SUV Market Is Competitive But The Armada Keeps Up

The full-size SUV segment is a particularly diverse selection of cars. Some are more rough and tumble while others focus on high levels of luxury, and there is a plethora of choices anywhere in between. The Armada falls more on the rough and tumble end of things and its robust character is something that many will find appealing. However, there are some areas where its competition just has it beat.

Full-Size SUV Third Row Dimensions

(Source: Multiple Manufacturers)

While the 2024 Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV that plays the value card well, however, its third row is not its strength owing to its old-school nature and aging platform. Nissan has prioritized space for the other two rows as well as cargo space with the third row folded and as a result, the third row almost feels like an afterthought. If you need a third row that is capable of comfortably housing adults then you’re going to need to look elsewhere; however, the Armada is an excellent choice if you know that you’re only ever going to be hauling little ones in the back.

Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep Wagoneer is a great three-row SUV for those who prioritize space in the rear seats. Its third-row legroom and headroom are near unbeaten in the segment and you can pretty comfortably fit adults in the back. Its stylish looks and its smooth inline-six is also bound to impress anyone. Its biggest downfalls are its much higher starting MSRP of $62,945 and the fact that its really impressive equipment is locked behind expensive trims.

Chevrolet Tahoe

The Chevy Tahoe isn’t too far off the Nissan Armada in terms of starting MSRP, with the base Tahoe starting at $56,200, and it offers a much more realistic third row in terms of room. However, the Tahoe isn’t nearly as well equipped at this price point and you have to invest more in a higher trim.