We Finally Get the Nissan Patrol, Sort Of: Introducing the 2025 Armada Pro-4X

The Nissan Armada is no longer second fiddle in the company’s global lineup of SUVs. The 2025 Armada gets the same frame as the legendary Nissan Patrol and went through the same durability testing.

The Armada adds new levels of luxury in its pavement-forward grades and greatly increased capability off the beaten path thanks to the new Pro-4X grade. It’s the first time the Pro-4X trim has been offered on the Armada.

Armada Now Up to Patrol

Before now, the Armada and the Nissan Patrol were very different vehicles. Nissan USA admits that the model built for our market had a “less severe” suspension along with a lighter-duty frame. It wasn’t quite up to the standards of the worldwide icon that is the Patrol, sold and driven in some of the harshest terrains imaginable.

No more, says Nissan USA. This time, they had U.S. engineers and other staff on the global team, and that’s made sure we get the same levels of durability and capability. It brings details like more suspension travel, an available locking rear differential, and a frame with 57% more lateral stiffness for better ride quality.

The automaker brought me out to Park City, Utah, to get up close and personal. But sadly, it was too early to drive it.

New Twin-Turbo V6 Replaces V8

Every 2025 Nissan Armada gets a new 3.5L twin-turbo V6. We’ve already seen this engine on the closely related Infiniti QX80. As a refresher, it makes 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’s 25 horses and 103 torques more than the old V8. It’s paired with Nissan’s beefy nine-speed automatic and allows towing up to 8,500 pounds.

Armada Pro-4X Ready for Off-Road Punishment

Nissan’s off-road Pro-4X badge, which we’ve seen before on Titan and Frontier, joins Armada for the first time. It comes with all-terrain tires on 20-inch wheels, underbody skid plates, and an electronic locking differential.

It also comes with an adaptive electronic air suspension that can lower to let you hop in and then raise up to give you 2.1 inches more ground clearance than the steel springs on other Armadas.

The Pro-4X delivers 9.6 inches of clearance, a 33.9-degree approach angle, and a 24.3-degree departure angle. It also includes eight drive modes, hill descent control, virtual through-the-hood camera views, a wide-angle front view, and a surround-view monitor.

On the inside, the Pro-4X gets Lava Red accents and water-resistant seat covers. On the outside, Nissan has given the Pro-4X a Pathfinder-inspired three-slot grille.

New Tech, Bigger Screens

The 2025 Armada comes with twin 12.3-inch screens as standard, while higher trims upgrade both center and dashboard displays to 14.3 inches. The dash interface and center screen operating system are both new to Nissan and represent huge upgrades in both appearance and functionality, with more apps, crisp graphics, and much smoother operation than any of Nissan’s other infotainment systems.

Nissan is loading on the luxury options this time around, and that includes the new Platinum Reserve grade model at the top of the line. The fancy one comes with quilted leather, heated and cooled massaging front seats, as well as adaptive air suspension.

But it will also offer features new to Nissan, including Biometric Cooling, which uses sensors to measure the temperature of your passengers and adjusts the HVAC to cool them off as needed. It has a built-in dashcam that can automatically record incidents and can even be used to take a look in the cabin to check if you’ve left something (or someone) inside.

A new Klipsch premium audio system is offered on SL models and higher, and Nissan Pro Pilot Assist 2.1 includes the company’s latest highway driving assists.

2025 Nissan Armada Stays Same Size Outside, Grows Inside

The new Armada isn’t any larger than the old one, but Nissan has optimized the box to have more space inside. That includes room for adults (including my portly 6’3″ self) in all three rows and 24% more cargo space behind the third seats. That gives it around 21 cubic feet back there, 56 behind the second row, and 97 cubic feet with every seat folded.

Nissan will offer the 2025 Armada in five grades: SV, SL, Pro-4X, Platinum, and Platinum Reserve. All but the Pro-4X (where 4×4 is standard) will offer rear-wheel drive or 4×4 as an option. Expect them at dealers before the end of 2024, with pricing released shortly beforehand.

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