2012 Nissan Armada SUV

It’s lacking in some features and its interior is a bit cheap, but the 2012 Nissan Armada has rugged good looks and a beefy V-8 powertrain.

The 2012 Nissan Armada easily fits into the full-size SUV class. It’s unmistakable, thanks to macho, rugged styling and its imposing stance, both of which give it more visual grab than some domestic utes. However, the Armada hasn’t changed much over the years, and its interior space, comfort, and practicality lag some of the newer, better big SUVs we’ve driven.

Nothing about the Armada is subtle, particularly in its styling. It’s a flared, exaggerated piece of design, even in a class alongside some Dodges and Toyotas. The roofline curves up in a jaunty–or disjointed–way, and the rear door latches at a higher point than usual, giving the Armada some truly distinct lines. It also gives it more than a little kinship with the smaller Pathfinder, long a strong seller in the Nissan lineup. The cabin isn’t as attention-grabbing, and the Armada actually has one of the more softly contoured dashes of all the big SUVs. The dated design is laid out well, and feels familiar at first glance, but it does have some smaller controls and delicate buttons, and, worst of all, some textures and plastics that just seem out of place in such a big, expensive vehicle