Courtesy image

Folks are always talking to us about driving cars and how we have the dream job, and for sure, if there is one thing really that brings us joy week in and week out, it’s slipping behind the wheel of a brand-new vehicle and seeing how it fits into our lives and hopefully the lives of others.

This past week, we had the pleasure of experiencing the redesigned, rugged and yet refined 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X, a full-size SUV that was as ready for a grocery run to Costco as it was for a weekend adventure with our grandkids in tow.

With its bold styling, powerful twin turbocharged V6 engine and the new off-road-ready PRO-4X trim, the Armada had people asking questions wherever our weekly journey took us. But what really impressed us was how well it blended everyday practicality with the fun of a family-focused weekend.

A full-size powerhouse

Right from the get-go, the 2025 Armada made a statement. The PRO-4X trim took the SUV’s already impressive presence and added an extra layer of toughness. With 20-inch painted black wheels, unique badging, beefed-up skid plates and blacked-out trim, it looked perfectly at home whether parked outside of the Provo Towne Centre or pulling into a dirt parking lot up Provo Canyon.

Courtesy image

Under the hood, we found a new engine for the 2025, a twin turbocharged V6 powerplant producing a hearty 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, which is up 25 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque from the outgoing V8.

Mated to a smooth-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission with available four-wheel drive, the Armada delivered power seamlessly and much better than the outgoing 7 speed did in our week last year.

Despite its size and power, the Armada surprised us with how composed it felt on the road. Around town, it proved to be surprisingly nimble for its size, and the commanding view of the road made us feel confident even in tighter traffic spots on the freeway, or just navigating into a parking spot.

A comfortable daily companion

Throughout the week, we put the Armada to the test as our daily driver. From just heading to work in the morning to afternoon meetings and errands, we logged plenty of miles on city streets and freeways.

Courtesy image

The PRO-4X cabin was where the Armada really put forth its best side. Nissan has crafted a spacious, quiet and upscale environment that made every drive a pleasure. We were especially impressed with the premium leather-appointed seats, soft-touch materials and intuitive 12.3-inch infotainment screen that included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

One of our favorite features was the available Intelligent Rear View Mirror. With a simple flip of a switch, the mirror becomes a high-definition display showing what’s behind you, even if the rear seats are packed full of passengers, grandkids or full of cargo.

Throughout the week, we made great use of the heated and ventilated front seats as the spring weather in Utah continued to shift from warm to chilly and back again. The heated steering wheel was another thoughtful touch that made early morning starts even more comfortable.

Fuel economy proved it was not the Armada’s strong suit, but with EPA ratings around 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, it was right where we would have expected the large SUV to land. We averaged 16.5 mpg during our week — respectable considering a mix of highway and city driving.

Saturday: Grandkid adventure day

Courtesy image

The true test of any three-row SUV of course would come on the weekend — and the Armada passed with flying colors. With our son and daughter-in-law taking a day to themselves, we had the opportunity of spending Saturday with the grandkids, Jensen and Hayden, who are always up for an adventure.

We loaded up early and headed out from Springville, using all eight seats as we brought along snacks, jackets and plenty of kid gear. Thanks to the Armada’s roomy interior, everyone had plenty of space to stretch out, and even in the third row, the kids were completely comfortable.

Accessing the back row was made easier by Nissan’s one-touch folding second-row seats — something we really appreciated when helping a rambunctious Hayden climb into her seat.

Our first stop was Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, where we explored the Museum of Ancient Life. The Armada fit right into the family-focused parking lot, and we loved the surround-view camera system as we pulled into a tight spot.

From there, we drove out toward Saratoga Springs for a picnic by Utah Lake. We popped open the rear liftgate and used the ample cargo space to lay out our lunch. Even with all three rows in use, the Armada offered just enough space for a cooler, blankets and a few folding chairs. Need more space? The third row folded down flat in a 60/40 split, giving a larger family tons of flexibility for longer hauls.

Courtesy image

We ended the day with a surprise treat: milkshakes from JCW’s in American Fork, which according to the grandkids was the perfect place to end the day.

A suite of safety

When you have the whole family on board, peace of mind is essential. The Armada PRO-4X came packed with Nissan’s Safety Shield® 360, including features like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and more.

We especially appreciated the adaptive cruise control on our Saturday adventure, which made the drive more relaxing, and the rear automatic braking came in handy while navigating out of a tight driveway on a narrow Springville side street.

At the end of the week

The 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X proved to be a capable, comfortable and confident companion throughout our week of putting the SUV through the paces of daily life. Whether it was commuting through Orem traffic, tackling weekend family adventures or simply enjoying the view on a spring evening drive, the Armada met every challenge with ease.

It’s big, bold and built to handle just about anything a busy family — or set of driving grandparents — might throw at it. And while it’s not the most fuel-efficient SUV out there, the trade-offs in space, power and capability make it well worth considering for families who want both comfort and strength.

Base price: $75,740

Destination charge: $2,015

Price as driven: $82,430