- suv 102,512
- Dallas, TX
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- autoshopper.com
- suv 102,512 red automatic
2008 nissan armada review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. With familiar bodywork and a proven engine and chassis it might come across as merely a minor restyle, but with an essentially new interior and a lot of fine-tuning behind the scenes, it's a major advancement. while fuel prices and environmental concerns have tempered the full-size suv market, there remains a need for seven-or-eight seat vehicles with room for some cargo that have the ability to tow sizable trailers, reach remote destinations, or both, and that's what the armada is for. Armada is rated to tow a 9,000-pound trailer. the armada is spacious enough to seat adults in the third row and with up to five individually folding seats allows a variety of configurations balancing people and package needs. it possess a competitive, healthy v8 engine and five-speed automatic designed for serious work yet tamed to smoothness and background hum, and independent suspension all 'round capable of delivering a good ride, accurate response, and durability off the highway. This is genuine 4wd in the vein of land cruisers and monteros, not merely an all-wheel-drive system for inclement weather. Many features standard on the le are available on se as options. options include a moonroof, dvd entertainment system, and middle-row captain's chairs. A tow package includes hitch, wiring, 3. 36:1 axle ratio, heavy-duty battery, and self-leveling rear suspension. safety features that come standard include three-row curtain airbags, the mandated frontal airbags, active front head restraints, rear proximity sensors. Active safety features include electronic stability control, abs, ebd, brake assist. Optional safety features include front side airbags, front proximity sensors, and rearview monitor. walkaroundwith its arching window line, semi-concealed rear door handles and titan-esque front end, there is no mistaking the armada for a generic sport-utility. Six-and-a-half feet tall and wide, it rides on a longer wheelbase than any full-size suv except the ford expedition el, chevy suburban and gmc yukon xl. for 2008, the front end is restyled and becomes more attractive because there is no longer a full-width horizontal gap between the bumper and grille; the lower opening takes on the look of a menacing cartoon character that mirrors the armada's big, bad and fun attitude. On models with roof racks, the rack has recessed tie-down loop at each corner for securing cargo with scratching off paint or generating wind whistles. side steps are standard across the board, watering down the off-road image a bit but making it easier for shorter folks to climb aboard. Wheel size has grown to 20 inches on le models. Those using the 9,000-pound tow rating will appreciate the rear proximity sensors and optional rearview monitor for hooking up trailer, a great time saver that reduces the chance of a scratched rear bumper. interiormore striking than any exterior redesign is the improvement inside, where the nissan armada cabin now looks, feels and sounds two grades better than before and not lifted straight out of a pickup. indeed, 75 percent of the interior is new for 2008 and none of it is shared with the titan pickup. the cabin is generously proportioned, with more middle row legroom than the front of many cars, seating for seven or eight people, and nearly 100 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats to be split in a variety of ways. There are plenty of spaces to put smaller items and 14 beverage holders, some able to contain a half-gallon bottle. slide into the driver's seat and the sense of power envelopes even before anything is started. A commanding view forward is matched by the view to the back, unobstructed by any center headrest, although the windshield pillars get quite wide at the base and conspire with large outside mirrors that could create blind spots for shorter drivers. With adjustments for pedals, seat and steering wheel, everyone can find a comfortable driving position. large captain's chairs are provided up front. For 2008, a softer, more sweeping dash encompasses new instrumentation, woodgrain trim, a variety of colors and textures, and a comprehensive central area for control of audio, climate, drive, and navigation systems, now based on a 20-gigabyte hard drive that also handles music and displays real-time traffic info through xm satellite radio. For the sheer volume of controls everything is well-placed and fairly intuitive, although we admit some confusion over two back buttons just two inches apart on some models. The latter are more comfy, the former more functional, although the center rider should be of narrow persuasion to avoid pinching from seat belts and hinges. access to the third row is aided by the low floor, itself a byproduct of independent rear suspension (shared only by ford expedition and mitsubishi montero in this class). For 2008, the leather-look seat splits 60/40 for best load flexibility; a power fold third row is available on le models. A full-length overhead console contains rear air controls, optional dvd player, and vents and reading lights for both back rows. desert testing wasn't on the program, but the combination of opening rear quarter windows and a powerful ventilation system did keep third row occupants comfortable in a 83-degree thunderstorm gridlock in a black-on-black armada. Typically a setup such as this exacts a penalty in ride comfort, road noise, isolation and so forth with nary a worthwhile gain in grip. And while the le model we drove had slightly crisper response to the steering wheel, impressive attention to noise and vibration issues make the 2008 armada le ride better and quieter than earlier models without the 20-inch wheels. hundred-mile driving legs were dispatched in short order, stress-free to the point the six-foot passenger in back dozed off mid-day. Since off-road trucks are the only racing vehicles of this size and weight the armada is a better cruiser than a sports car, though the independent rear end keeps it more stable and less influenced by bumps mid-corner than most competitors. Stability control is standard and barring driver inattention will never be felt without an outside influence. one thing nissan did lift from the titan is the drivetrain, and it is a keeper. With 317 horses and a more relevant 385 pound-feet of torque, the armada's 5. 6-liter v8 is the strongest standard engine in its class, although mileage will typically range in the low-to-mid teens. Although it's not the most powerful suv on the planet, the armada's v8 and perfectly matched five-speed automatic make it very quick for its bulk and adept at pulling a crew of wakeboarders and their 6,000-pound boat. Max towing is 9,000 pounds, but better to go with a large, longer-wheelbase pickup if that's to be routine. the brakes were upgraded in mid-2006, a direly need improvement that we hope solves the brake judder issues that plagued previous models. The full complement of electronic assists is standard. Two-wheel-drive models use traction control, and 4wd models offer a 4auto setting designed for daily use regardless of weather or road conditions. Bucket Seats✔ Power Seats✔ Climate Control✔ Air Conditioning✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ DVD Entertainment System
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