The 2019 Nissan Armada stands as Nissan’s flagship SUV, expertly crafted for families seeking both on-road comfort and off-road capability. Building upon the strong foundation of its second generation, the 2019 model year introduces enhanced standard features and solidifies the Armada’s position in the full-size SUV segment. With its powerful V8 engine, spacious interior, and advanced technology, the 2019 Armada continues to be a top choice for those demanding a capable and refined family vehicle.
The 2019 Armada sees the addition of several key standard features across all trim levels, enhancing both safety and convenience. Among these upgrades is Nissan’s innovative Rear Door Alert (RDA) system. This pioneering technology is designed to prevent drivers from inadvertently leaving items or even children in the back seat. Utilizing door sensors, a central instrument panel message display, and even the horn, RDA provides multi-sensory reminders to check the rear seats upon vehicle parking.
Further bolstering its safety and driver-assistance technologies, the 2019 Armada now includes standard Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW). These systems work in concert to provide drivers with added confidence and peace of mind on every journey.
Nissan’s Rear Door Alert (RDA) system is a standout feature, particularly for families. It functions by initially detecting if a rear door was opened before a drive commences. Upon trip completion, if a rear door is not opened again, the system activates a series of alerts to prompt the driver to check the back seat area. This simple yet effective system provides an invaluable safety net, especially for busy parents. RDA is thoughtfully designed to be user-friendly and easily customizable, allowing drivers to turn the system on or off as needed.
As the premier SUV in Nissan’s extensive lineup, the Armada boasts an impressive array of features and capabilities. It comfortably accommodates eight passengers and is powered by a robust 5.6-liter Endurance® V8 engine, delivering a best-in-class standard 390 horsepower. This powerful engine is paired with a standard towing capacity of 8,500 pounds for both 4WD and 2WD configurations when properly equipped, making the 2019 Nissan Armada exceptionally versatile for hauling boats, trailers, or other recreational equipment.
The 2019 Armada proudly carries the mantle of Nissan’s flagship SUV, embodying performance, refinement, and advanced technology. Its lineage traces back to the globally renowned Nissan Patrol, a vehicle celebrated for its off-road prowess and durability. While the Armada is primarily tailored for North American family adventures, it inherits the robust DNA of the Patrol, ensuring a strong, dependable, and authentic full-size SUV experience. Owners benefit from its inherent ruggedness and capability, making it equally at home on city streets and adventurous trails.
Nissan offers the 2019 Armada in a variety of trims – SV, SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve – each available in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive. This broad selection ensures that buyers can find an Armada perfectly tailored to their needs and preferences. Standard features are abundant across the range, including Nissan Navigation, NissanConnect Services powered by SiriusXM®, a user-friendly 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control, comfortable heated front seats, and a premium 13-speaker Bose® audio system.
Rugged Design and Construction
Mirroring its first-generation predecessor, the 2019 Armada features a robust body-on-frame construction. This foundational design provides an ideal blend of strength, durability, and utility, contributing to its impressive 8,500-pound towing capacity when properly equipped.
The Armada’s exterior styling is both commanding and sophisticated. It presents an assertive stance with Nissan’s signature V-motion front grille, complemented by standard LED low-beam headlights, halogen high beams, and LED Daytime Running Lights. This design language maintains the rugged and athletic character of previous generations while incorporating a modern aesthetic. The rear of the vehicle features distinctive LED taillights that enhance visibility and style.
Functional air intake vents are integrated into the front fenders, adding to both the visual appeal and potentially the aerodynamic efficiency. Higher trim levels (SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve) feature chrome-plated, electro-chromic anti-dazzle side mirrors equipped with memory, heating, and puddle lamps. The liftgate includes a convenient auto-closure feature, with a power function standard on SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve trims, and optional on the SV model.
Further exterior highlights include body-colored bumpers, a black grille with chrome trim, chrome window moldings, chrome door handles, privacy glass, dark-painted overfenders (on SV and SL), side step rails, dark-painted roof rails, and front and rear parking sensors. Rain-sensing front windshield wipers and a front wiper de-icer are also available, enhancing driver convenience in inclement weather.
The Platinum Reserve trim distinguishes itself with a Dark Chrome finish on the front grille, door handles, outside mirrors, and unique 20-inch Dark Chrome wheels, adding an extra layer of exclusivity and visual appeal.
The 2019 Armada is available in a palette of seven exterior colors, including Hermosa Blue Pearl, Mocha Almond Pearl, Forged Copper Metallic, Gun Metallic, Super Black, Brilliant Silver Metallic, and the premium Pearl White TriCoat.
Spacious and Refined Interior
Inside the Armada, occupants are greeted by a spacious, stylish, and premium environment. Special attention has been paid to minimizing cabin noise and ensuring rapid interior cooling and heating. The expansive interior provides generous headroom and legroom, with 40.0 inches of 2nd-row headroom and 41.0 inches of 2nd-row legroom.
Standard seating arrangements include heated 8-way power-adjustable front bucket seats with a large center console, a 2nd-row 60/40 split-folding bench seat, and a 3rd-row 60/40-split folding bench seat. The 3rd-row seats fold flat into the floor, maximizing cargo versatility. A power-folding feature for the 3rd-row seats is standard on SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve models. Armada SL and Platinum trims offer optional 2nd-row Captain’s Chairs with a removable 2nd-row console, while the Platinum Reserve trim comes standard with Captain’s Chairs, providing a more luxurious and individualized seating experience.
Armada SV models feature premium cloth seating surfaces, while leather-appointed seats are standard on SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve trims. The Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system, equipped with a microfilter, utilizes direct/indirect airflow, including a 2nd-row “curtain” vent, to efficiently distribute cool air throughout the cabin. Heated 2nd-row seats are standard on Platinum and Platinum Reserve models, along with climate-controlled (heated and cooled) front seats and a heated steering wheel, ensuring passenger comfort in all weather conditions.
Exceptional cabin quietness is achieved through the use of acoustic glass on the windshield and front side windows, as well as increased sound absorption materials compared to the previous generation. The windshield design further minimizes wind noise, contributing to a serene and relaxed driving experience.
Platinum and Platinum Reserve models are equipped with the Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM). This system employs a high-resolution camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle to project a clear image onto an LCD monitor integrated into the standard rearview mirror. Drivers can easily switch between the traditional rearview mirror and the I-RVM, benefiting from an unobstructed rear view, even with cargo or passengers blocking the traditional view. The I-RVM also enhances visibility in low-light conditions and provides a wider field of view.
The standard Bose® audio system delivers rich and immersive sound through 13 speakers, a subwoofer, and a digital amplifier. Every 2019 Armada includes SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (subscription required), the Nissan Navigation System with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information (SiriusXM® subscription required), NissanConnect Services Powered by SiriusXM®, an 8.0-inch multi-touch display, HD Radio, SiriusXM® Travel Link with a three-year trial (SiriusXM® subscription required), Enhanced Voice Recognition, and Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant.
For rear-seat entertainment, Platinum and Platinum Reserve models offer a standard DVD Family Entertainment System with dual 8.0-inch head restraint DVD monitors, USB and HDMI ports, VTR jacks, two wireless headphones, and a remote controller. The wireless headphones offer cinema, music, and game virtual surround modes, optimizing the audio experience for different media types.
Practicality is also a key aspect of the Armada’s interior design. It features a functional front center console with a 12-volt power outlet, nine cupholders, four bottle holders, power door locks with illuminated switches, Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Start, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, and a RearView Monitor.
Additional available convenience features include a power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory, front footwell and step lamps, rear step lamp, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, and Remote Engine Start System. A large sliding moonroof with front tilt and rear slide is standard on Platinum and Platinum Reserve and optional on the SL trim.
Interior color options include Charcoal and Almond, available in both cloth and leather. The Platinum Reserve trim offers special two-tone leather-appointed seats and unique interior trim with distinct stitching.
Powerful V8 Performance
At the heart of the 2019 Armada is Nissan’s advanced Endurance® 5.6-liter V8 engine. This engine delivers a best-in-class 390 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 394 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. These impressive figures are achieved through technologies such as Direct Injection Gas (DIG™), which enhances wide-open throttle performance, fuel economy, and emissions by improving combustion stability and injection control. An 11.2:1 compression ratio further contributes to engine efficiency and performance, while a Multi Control Valve (MCV) optimizes thermal management.
Nissan’s Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL) technology is also incorporated, combining hydraulically controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on both intake and exhaust sides. This system optimizes performance and responsiveness by directly controlling the intake valve, improving throttle response compared to traditional throttle valve systems.
The standard 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching enhances fuel efficiency through its wide gear ratios, ATF warmer, and idle neutral control. A 26-gallon fuel tank provides an extended driving range. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway/16 mpg combined for 2WD models and 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for 4WD models.
The Armada boasts a standard towing capacity of 8,500 pounds for both 4WD and 2WD models when properly equipped, meeting the J2807 towing certification standard.
The All-Mode 4-wheel drive system offers Auto/4H/4LO modes, an electronically controlled part-time transfer case, and a 2.70:1 4LO gear ratio. In normal conditions, it operates in 2WD, but can distribute torque to all four wheels as needed, with up to 50 percent directed to the front wheels.
Braking is handled by a 4-wheel disc brake system with ABS, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), and Brake Assist. Standard features also include 2-wheel or 4-wheel limited-slip (ABLS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with a deactivation switch. Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion system.
The Armada’s independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension ensures a smooth and comfortable ride both on and off-road. It features stabilizer bars and twin-tube shock absorbers for balanced handling and control.
Wheel and tire combinations vary by trim level, with SV models featuring 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 265/70R18 all-season tires, while SL and Platinum models come with 20-inch machine-faced aluminum-alloy wheels and 275/60R20 all-season tires. The Platinum Reserve trim features unique Dark Chrome 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
Advanced Safety and Security
The 2019 Nissan Armada distinguishes itself with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety and security systems. Standard Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW) can alert drivers to potential risks beyond their immediate field of vision, sensing the velocity and distance of not only the vehicle directly ahead but also vehicles in front of that one. Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Intelligent Distance Control (I-DC) are also standard. Available Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) can assist drivers in mitigating potential frontal collisions.
For lane safety, Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention (I-BSI) help to alert drivers to lane drift and vehicles in blind spots. RearView Monitor and Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM) provide enhanced visibility when reversing or parking, with the I-AVM proving particularly useful in tight off-road situations.
The newly standard Rear Door Alert (RDA) system further enhances safety by reminding drivers to check the rear seat for forgotten items, adding an extra layer of protection, especially for families with children or pets.
Trim Levels and Options
The 2019 Nissan Armada is offered in SV, SL, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve trims, each available in 2WD and 4WD configurations. Stepping up to the SL trim from the SV adds features like Nissan Intelligent Key®, Remote Engine Start System, a power 60/40 3rd-row seat, Intelligent Around View® Monitor (I-AVM), a power liftgate, and 20-inch wheels.
The Platinum trim includes a power-sliding moonroof, front climate-controlled seats, a Family Entertainment System, Nissan Safety Shield technologies, and the Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM).
The top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve trim adds Dark Chrome exterior trim, 20-inch Dark Chrome wheels, and two-tone leather-appointed seats with unique stitching.
Optional packages include the Driver’s Package (SV only), the Captain’s Chairs Seat Package (SL and Platinum), and the Premium Package (SL), allowing buyers to further customize their Armada to their specific requirements.
The 2019 Armada is assembled by Nissan in Kyushu, Japan, with its Endurance® V8 engine manufactured in Decherd, Tennessee. The 2019 Nissan Armada continues to solidify its position as a leading full-size SUV, offering a compelling combination of power, space, luxury, and advanced technology, making it an ideal choice for families seeking adventure and everyday practicality.
