The 2025 Armada is an SUV we’ve already tested in the snowy north. Our conclusion was crystal clear: this is a luxurious body-on-frame battleship that demonstrates a leap forward for Nissan. Nevertheless, there’s one detail that may or may not matter all that much: the model we drove was the range-topping Platinum Reserve trim.
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Thus, we couldn’t help but wonder how will a lesser trim like the Pro-4X, the one that’s meant to get dirty and in which owners are told by Nissan to “go forth and conquer”, fare. How will that manage a bunch of mud, silt, sand, rock, and water crossings? That’s what we decided to find out when Nissan loaned us one.
Quick Facts
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Read: Honda Could Get Full-Size SUV As Part Of Merger With Nissan
No doubt, we knew already that the Armada was going to be comfortable and powerful. But we didn’t know if, as Nissan claims, is truly “fully equipped for adventure”. To find out, we went into the Ouachita forest of central Arkansas, the largest and oldest National Forest in the south that encompasses some 1.8 million acres.
We only covered about 20 miles of that forest, but we found a lot during the trip. While there are countless crossovers and SUVs out there pretending to offer more than they do, the Armada Pro-4X keeps its maker’s promises. While it might not be the absolute best way to go about an adventure like this, it proved truly capable into and out of the wild.
How Does It Behave On Tarmac?
If there’s anything to complain about regarding the Armada, it’s got to be the on-road experience. Just like its sibling, the Infiniti QX80, it feels somewhat boatish and heavy on tarmac. Negotiating a turn is an intentional act that requires consideration about tire location and if there’s anything close enough to accidentally hit. The all-terrain tires on this trim level definitely don’t help.
Granted, the 425 hp (317 kW) V6 under the hood is more than adequate. It sounds louder in this than it does in the Infiniti and has no trouble playing at the speed of everyday traffic. Nissan’s choice to add a nine-speed automatic pays off no matter the surface, as it’s smooth and seems to always pick the right cog for every occasion. Moreover, passengers praised it for its comfortable highway ride. That all out of the way, the point is to see how well it handles the dirty stuff.
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Can You Really “Go Forth And Conquer” Off-Road?
As you can see from the map above, this trail covers a lot of ground and a lot of elevation given its location. The first few miles consist of wide gravel roads and one creek crossing. Over that, the Armada felt great, if a bit too big at times. Keep in mind that these trails are mostly forest roads, so they’re not exactly made to accommodate very large vehicles.
Thankfully, we were the only ones on that trail, and while it had been raining, the creek was low. This is one of the same creeks that was so deep when we tested the Jeep Gladiator that it stopped our progress. With less water, the Pathfinder made light work of it and we trundled on toward slower-speed challenges.
First on that list was a soft, silt-filled section of trail where the Nissan made deep tracks on the ground. Progress continued, though, in part thanks to the locking rear differential. Next, we found a large hillside climb starting off in silt and then almost immediately transitioning to chunky rocks.
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Initially, the Armada struggled to gain purchase, and it slid laterally to one side of the trail. Then, with a little more throttle and some light steering, it grabbed onto the rocks and slowly made its way up.
The onboard cameras were invaluable here, as the trail was even narrower than before. Natural erosion had also cut away its edges, making visual inspection that much more difficult. Still, the Armada had no issues making it up the hill.
For some brief moments it was searching for traction, but the tires would ultimately grip and go almost instantly. All that was needed was consistent but judicious throttle inputs. We eventually made it to the top and basked in one of the best views the local area has to offer, at least by car.
On the way back down, we popped the Armada into hill descent mode. Think of this as a low-speed cruise control that’s designed to help you take you down a slope with ease. The benefit is that the driver doesn’t have to worry about balancing throttle and brake inputs and can focus entirely on steering while the SUV maintains a low, safe speed. Navigating down the hill was a breeze, and the silt at the bottom didn’t cause us any trouble either.
Moving on, we had to deal with mud, sand, and more water. The Armada made it all seem like child’s play. It tackled steep switchbacks, tight sections where fallen trees blocked most of the way, and several deep ruts where mud lay in wait. Interestingly, it was clear at the end of the day that the rear tires did a lot more spinning to gather grip than the fronts. They were caked in mud, whereas the front ones looked almost clean.
Comfort And Convenience On The Trail
Perhaps the best part about this excursion is just how nice it was to be in the Armada for it. Having taken several other vehicles out to this same space, only the Land Rover Defender was more impressive.
At the same time, the Armada offers more interior space for everyone to stretch out and enjoy the ride. Additionally, the cabin is quiet and serene, so focusing on the vistas becomes a larger part of the experience.
From a driver’s perspective, there’s not much to complain about. Sure, I’d love a few more off-road gadgets like a locking front differential, maybe a disconnectable sway bar, and more. But the reality is that most people don’t need those things, and our Nissan had no issue without them anyway. The camera system was outstanding, the off-road modes were easy to use, and the integrated navigation system provided useful information even in the middle of nowhere.
Comparisons And Conclusions
No two weekends out on these trails seem to be the same lately. The weather switches between torrential rain, snow, ice, and droughts – thus, comparing how one SUV did to the next really comes down to the experience. That means thinking both about how fun it was for passengers and how stressful it was for the driver. After testing it, the Armada would be one of my top choices for similar trails.
Having driven the Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser, and Tacoma off-road (albeit at a different site), those are often (depending on trim) more capable. In places where getting stuck is absolutely not a choice, they would likely prove to be a more prudent pick. Despite that, the Armada will be far more comfortable on the trail as the suspension and interior space make it a great place to spend time on the trails.
Why would I personally pick the Defender over the Armada for a day out like this? Because it’s simply better to drive on the road and doesn’t give up the fancy off-road tech the competition offers. It combines what each of these SUVs does well into one form. That said, the Armada is far more impressive off-road than I expected it to be.
Let’s face it, there is no shortage of crossovers and SUVs out there right now cosplaying as things they’re not; that is, off-road capable machines. Automakers would have you believe that an extra inch of ground clearance and some fancy body cladding will let you tame the Rubicon trail. Nissan isn’t one of them. The Armada Pro-4X is firmly in the camp of truly capable off-roaders. Like almost any vehicle, it can be improved and get even better, but even in its current form, it’s definitely worth considering.
Gallery Of The Trip