2009 Nissan Armada

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The 2009 Nissan Armada sport utility comes in two models, SE and LE, both available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. All Armadas are powered by a 317-horsepower, 5.6L V8, which puts out 385 ft-lb of torque. A 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode is standard.

The available four-wheel-drive system has a full-time automatic mode that normally sends all torque to the rear wheels but can send up to 50% to the front wheels when needed. It also has a low range for off-roading or steep descents.

With a fully boxed frame underneath, the Armada is closely related to the Titan full-size pickup and is very capable of towing heavy loads. The independent rear suspension design, combined with the available air leveling system, improve stability, and when properly equipped the Armada can tow up to 9,100 pounds.

The Armada comes with three rows of seating for up to eight people, with a standard fold-flat second-row seat, a 60/40-split third row, and a fold-flat front passenger seat to help with especially long objects. LE models get Seton leather seating in the first and second rows, and in all models the third-row occupants sit higher than the other rows for better comfort and visibility. Second-row captain's chairs are available for the second row instead of the bench, and they include a removable center console. With the available Bose 11-speaker sound system, rear passengers can listen to one sound source on headphones while other occupants listen to another source over the speakers.

All Armadas come with step rails, a full-length overhead console, rear sonar parking sensors, a power driver's seat, power-adjustable pedals, and dual-zone climate control.

Roof-mounted side-curtain airbags, providing head protection to outboard positions in all three rows, are standard across the line, as are active head restraints in front. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental bags are standard on the LE and optional for the SE, and anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control are standard across the line.

The top LE model adds a long list of luxury features, including special faux-wood trim, heated power-folding mirrors, 20-inch wheels, the high-end Bose audio system, XM satellite radio, a power tailgate, a front sonar system, fog lamps, a universal garage door opener, heated Seton leather seating, a rear DVD entertainment package, and captains' chairs.
For 2009, Nissan's Armada SUV sees few changes following its light restyle in 2008, limited primarily to a slight reshuffling of options packages. Prices across the range have increased by between $1,000 and $2,000.
Towing and hauling ability; powerful standard V8; long driving range; long list of standard luxury and convenience features.
While most competing full-size SUVs come in an overwhelming array of models, the 2009 Nissan Armada comes only in two well-equipped models--SE and LE--with a choice of two- or four-wheel drive and a standard V8 that's larger and more powerful than most of the competing standard engines. The Armada's V8 also has the flexibility to run on E85, a mix of gasoline and up to 85% ethanol. And with a 28-gallon fuel tank, the Armada has one of the longest cruising ranges among full-size SUVs.

The Armada has been named the "most appealing" vehicle in its segment by J.D. Power and Associates, in its annual APEAL study, and was also the top luxury SUV in Strategic Vision's Total Quality Index.