CHICAGO – When gasoline prices tickled $4 a gallon, the hue and cry among environmentalists was to mothball the fullsize SUV fleet – if not simply dig a big hole and bury it.
That was then but this is now, and with gasoline under $2 a gallon, Nissan is using the Chicago Auto Show to unveil the next generation of its fullsize Armada SUV.
Low gas prices helped prompt the decision to upgrade the Armada, with Nissan saying the sharp decline in fuel prices has kept consumer interest alive among those needing a large SUV to haul people and their stuff and to tow heavy loads.
It’s noteworthy that Kia is using the same auto show to provide an early look at what likely is destined to be a fullsize CUV in its lineup, the Telluride concept that is built off a stretched version of the midsize Kia Sorento CUV platform.
The revamped Armada goes on sale this summer as a ʼ17 model (there was no ‘16 model) and represents the last piece in Nissan’s utility-vehicle puzzle to be totally redone since the all new Pathfinder arrived for the ʼ13 model year.
The Pathfinder was followed by an all-new Rogue CUV in 2014 and an all-new Murano and revised Juke CUVs in 2015.
The new Armada isn’t based on the Titan fullsize pickup truck, but rather a new global Nissan platform it will share with the Infiniti QX80. The Armada no longer will be produced in the U.S., with the new model to be imported from Japan.
There will be both 2- and 4-wheel-drive versions powered by a new direct-injected version of the 5.6L V-8 that’s now rated at 390 hp, up from 317 hp. A new 7-speed automatic replaces the 5-speed transmission in the old model. The new engine also will be offered in the Nissan Titan pickup truck this spring.
The Armada remains a fullsize SUV with three rows of seats to hold eight people. It has been given an added 1.2 ins. (30.5 mm) in length to 208.9 ins. (5,306 mm) and a fresh exterior design that features body-color front and rear bumpers, a black and chrome grille, functional air-intake vents on front fenders and dark painted overfenders and side step rails to provide an upscale two-tone appearance.
There also are LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, available fog lights, chrome trim accented side window moldings, chrome door handles and dark-painted roof rails.
There will be SV, SL and Platinum content levels in both 2WD and 4WD models, both with tow ratings up to 8,500 lbs.
Among standard features in some trims are a navigation system with both traffic and weather alerts; satellite radio; automatic temperature controls; heated and/or cooled first-row and heated second-row seats; puddle lights; rain-sensing wipers; power fold-flat third row seat; heated steering wheel; moonroof; remote start; push-button start and Bluetooth connectivity.
A host of safety and security features are offered, including forward-collision warning, backup collision warning, blindspot detection, 360-degree-view camera monitor as an aide when parking, intelligent cruise control, forward emergency braking and lane-departure prevention and warning.
