We love the Nissan Armada for all it does for us: At it’s heart, its a cozy cabin, but on the outside it’s a fortress. Nothing stands in its way; not bad weather or rough roads, and even when things are tough, you and your passengers will never know it. You’ll be comfortable and even feeling a little pampered.
Also at its heart, the Nissan Armada offers luxury: The luxury of space with seating for 8 and plenty of room for cargo. 4WD means weather, terrain or rough roads won’t stop you. Its 9.6″ ground clearance gives you a better view of the world. And its known for its reliability, rarely leaving its passengers stranded.
It’s everything you want to surround your family with. But so is the uber-luxe Infiniti QX80, built on the same frame by parent company Nissan. The QX80 made its redesigned debut earlier this year. How are these fraternal twins different?
Video: We test drove and toured the 2025 Infiniti QX80
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80: Separated at Birth?
We were more than thrilled when we had the chance to dive into the QX80 this summer, to drive its powerful V6 turbo, sink into its Nappa leather and enjoy the premium Klipsch sound system. It’s new look and feel were a true departure for the model.
So when we saw the 2025 Nissan Armada with its many similarities—its size and shape, the wide front screen, the ample cabin—we had to ask: How are they different? Diving into the details, it’s pretty clear: The Infiniti QX80 is the grander, fancier of the two. It’s the one that you’ll feel guilty spilling your Starbucks in, while the Nissan Armada’s “got this” attitude will let you release the guilt when cleaning up the mess.
Read: Why the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban Is a Family Favorite
The Sweet Spot: Shared Features
The great news is that so many of the Infiniti QX80’s better features have been adapted in the Nissan Armada, but in the end, the Armada is still the better choice for families who need the resilience of a tank for daily adventures.
Here’s what we are excited to see in the 2025 Nissan Armada.
The Sweeping Screen That Graces the Dashboard
When we first saw the Infiniti QX80 we were stunned by the gorgeous expansive screen that spans from the driver’s side across the dashboard. The single pane of glass houses the multimedia system on the right side and the driver display on the left. It’s large and easy to see and a true asset in the Armada. Keep in mind that this is a premium feature not available on the two lowest Armada trims.
Read: 2022 Grand Wagoneer Lives Up to the Hype of Luxury and Capability
“Hey Google? Turn on the Massaging Seats”
This is another feature in the Infiniti QX80 that we are thrilled made it into the Nissan Armada: Voice activated assistance — and massage seats. The voice assistance system will be standard on all models, while massage seats will be available only on the premium Platinum Reserve Model.
Read: Ford Is Getting Serious About Off-Roading in the Expedition
An Elevated Trim Lineup For As Much Luxury As You’d Like
Not everyone wants, or wants to pay for, elevated levels of luxury, and the 2025 Nissan Armada lineup reflects this. Buyers will still be able to choose from SV and SL entry level trims. These trims come equipped with 18 or 20” wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, running boards, a center row bench for 8 passenger seating, leatherette upholstery, power front seats, slide and tilt center row seats for 3rd row access, a 12” center display and a 12” driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear sensors and Nissan’s full suite of ProPilot Assist driver assist and safety features.
Platinum, Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve models add more luxe appointments including leather upholstery, biometric cooling, which monitors a passenger’s temperature and adjusts seat and cabin settings to maintain a set comfort level, and Pro- Pilot Assist 2.1 hands-free highway driving.
Two New Trims — For Adventure and Luxury
Nissan replaced the Midnight Edition Armada with the Pro-4X, an off-road ready trim, and expanded the Platinum to two trims: Platinum and Platinum Reserve.
Pro-4X buyers will find an optimally outfitted SUV ideal for off-roading, or at the least, trail running to distant camp sites or ski runs. This trim is notable for a unique front bumper, tow hooks, Pro-X wheels, all terrain tires and fender flares on the exterior, under body skid plates, standard 4WD and premium interior features including the larger 14” multimedia system and drive display, biometric cooling, navigation, wireless phone charging and “invisible hood” camera and surround view camera systems.
The Platinum and Platinum Reserve models take the luxury up a notch, with enhanced interior appointments, advanced technology, massaging front seats, adaptive air suspension, 22” wheels and the option of ProPilot Assist 2.1 hands-free highway driving.
A New V6 Turbo Engine Delivers Even More Power
Like the Infiniti QX80, Nissan has replaced the V8 engine of the 2024 model with a 6-cylinder turbo that actually generates more power: 425 HP, vs. 400 in the prior model. The mixed news is that the smaller engine isn’t especially more efficient; the outgoing model had a combined MPG estimate of 16; Infiniti estimates the new 6-cylinder engine gets about 17 MPG. Nissan hasn’t released fuel economy estimates yet, but expect them to be similar.
What should also be similar is the drive experience. The Infiniti was a purely a dream to drive. Yes, it’s large, but not stressfully so, as sometimes large SUVs can be. Visibility is great and it was easy to handle. There was plenty of power underfoot and the ride was very comfortable. 3rd row passengers will be very comfortable on the road in the Infiniti QX80 and should be in the Nissan Armada, as well.
All Wheel Drive Is An Option, But Towing Is Standard
Every Nissan Armada has the option of 4wd, which will add to the cost of this SUV, with the exception of the Pro-4x model, which will come standard with 4WD, as an off-roader should.
What will be standard, however, is towing. The Armada has a tow capacity of 8,500 lbs. and come with a tow hitch and pre-wired trailer harness. Trailer sway control and trailer brake controller are standard, and all but the SV model are equipped with trailer back-up assistance.
How Will Kids and Car Seats Fit in the 2025 Nissan Armada?
Fitting kids, car seats and all their stuff is a natural for the Armada, and Nissan does a good job with ensuring this. Based on measuring the seats in the Infiniti QX80, which should have identical size and space to the Armada, we found that rear facing car seats are an easy fit, even behind a tall driver. I measured 31” between the driver’s seat seat for me (I
m 5’8”) and the shoulder of the passenger seat. This should allow a couple of inches between a rear facing seat and the front seat.
For families who need two rear facing seats, the SV, SL or Pro-4X models, which come standard with the center row bench, are probably the better option. The luxury-focused Platinum and Platinum Reserve models come with captains chairs but be ordered with a center row bench. The SL model can be ordered with captains chairs.
There are three sets of LATCHes: Two in the center row outboard seats and one in the 3rd row on the passenger side. Of course, kids car seats can be installed in all rear seats with a seatbelt, but LATCHes do add security and convenience.
How Much with the 2025 Nissan Armada Cost?
Nissan hasn’t released pricing yet, and likely won’t until closer to the start of production and delivery of the Armada. However, we can venture a guess, that the SV and SL models will see a slight increase in price, likely 10% or less, bringing the opening price in just under $60,000. This was about how much the Infiniti QX80 increased in price from 2024 to 2025 for the Pure model. At the top end, however, Infiniti brought the price, and luxury features, up quite a bit. The top end QX80 saw a price increase of about 20%.
This means that the top end Platinum Plus model will likely top out in the high $80,000 range. And remember, 4WD will add to the price, likely by $3,000, which is the current uncharge.
Wait For the Nissan Armada? Or Splurge on the Infiniti QX80?
The answer is easier than I might have thought, actually. The QX80, seen above, is more luxury focused, with higher-end materials and advanced technology. But the captains chairs, rear seat comforts and elevated style lend more to executive pampering than toddler-towing. The Armada, however, with bench options for all models and a solid selection of features even at the entry level, is clearly designed to serve families who need the luxury of capability and comforts.
Production of the Nissan Armada is slated to start soon and deliveries should begin by the end of the year. We are excited to put this SUV to the family test and to see its sharp new lines and beautiful new interior out on the road soon.
