The Armada can carry almost as much cargo as the old Spanish armadas. With all seats in their full upright positions, the Armada provides 20 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is similar to that of the Expedition. It's deep enough to fit a 30-gallon cooler. There's also a nice storage area hidden beneath the rear section of the cargo floor. The second- and third-row seats fold flat to the cargo floor. Folding down the third row reveals 57 cubic feet of cargo, considerably more space than what's found in the Expedition. Folding down both rows provides 97 cubic feet of space, also significantly more than the Expedition (by nearly 10 cubic feet). Fold down the front passenger seat and you can fit a 10-foot ladder inside. Like the Expedition, there are gaps in the floor between the second- and third-row seats when all are folded flat.

Getting in and out is easy. The inside door handles are well designed for easy exit. The rear doors open wide. And the running boards help when climbing in or out.

The first thing we noticed when driving the Nissan Pathfinder Armada is its brilliant responsiveness. The Armada feels quicker and more responsive than any of the other SUVs in this class. Its new 5.6-liter V8 engine produces 305 horsepower and 385 pounds-feet of torque. The five-speed automatic transmission takes full advantage of the strong V8 performance. With five gears to choose from, it never seems to hunt for the right gear. It shifts smoothly and the close ratios eliminate uncomfortably abrupt downshifts. A 2WD Armada earns a 13/19 mpg City/Highway fuel economy rating from the EPA, 13/18 for 4WD.
Like the Titan, the Armada is built on a fully boxed steel ladder frame that yields a smooth ride and responsive handling. Unlike the Titan, the Armada features an independent rear suspension. This design enhances ride and handling. Indeed, the Armada makes a smooth transition as it turns into corners. Its handling feels controlled and handles emergency lane-change maneuvers well at highway speeds. The front suspension is also independent and the steering is rack and pinion.

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We found this full-size SUV to be very well mannered, instilling a sense of confidence in the driver that the Armada will go and turn and stop as well if not better than its contemporary competition.

The Off-Road package rides much better than we expected after looking at its big, aggressive off-road tires and reading about its Rancho suspension. Even with the off-road suspension, the Armada seems to ride as good or better than the competition. For those who opt to go off-roading, the angle of approach (without the front spoiler) is 31.1 degrees, the angle of departure is 27.7 degrees, and the ramp-over angle is 25.0. The 4x2 SE has 9.9 inches of ground clearance while the SE 4x4 and all LEs have at least 10.6 inches of clearance.

The Pathfinder Armada is Nissan's first full-size sport-utility, but you'd never knowby driving it as it's a well-designed and executed entry. We are extremely impressed with the Armada's powertrain. Few owners will push it even close to its dynamic capabilities. Its cleverly conceived interior provides both the room and the creature features that should satisfy its owners.
In short, the new Nissan Pathfinder Armada may be the best vehicle in its class.