It’s no secret that Americans live large. Anyone who’s been to Buc-ee's, the world’s largest convenience store, can attest to that. If you have, you won’t be surprised that we are also the fattest population in the world among high-income countries. So, is it any wonder that we love such full-size SUV stalwarts as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada?

Well, no. We require space, like that delivered by the 2025 Nissan Armada.

Sharing more with its international stablemate, the Nissan Patrol, the Armada shares the Patrol’s tailored sheet metal that lends it a more sophisticated appearance. It wears C-shaped lighting, a kicked up rear pillar and slick floating roof design used elsewhere in the Nissan lineup. At 210 inches long and 83 inches wide, it’s still sizable, and built body-on-frame. It’s a true truck, not some poser.

Offered in ascending SV, SL, Platinum, Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve trims, it’s fitted with the Patrol’s optional off-road package for the first time. It adds all the stuff you need, including 20-inch all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, skid plates, tow hooks, hill descent control, an electronic air suspension and selectable drive modes. It offers up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance and 27.5 inches of wading depth.

Along with the new platform comes a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 evolved from the one used in the GT-R sports car. Rated at 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, there’s 25 horsepower and 103 pound-feet more power than last year's V-8. It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and an 8,500-pound towing capacity. And while the Armada’s major bits are all shared with the redesigned Infiniti QX80, the Armada uses regular unleaded fuel rather than premium, although it does give up 25 horsepower to its tonier cousin. Most importantly for many buyers, the Armada uses physical buttons for its climate controls, drive modes and transmission, among other controls. On the Infiniti QX80, they’re on-screen.

Speaking of screens, the Armada comes with two 12.3-inch horizontal screens, one for the driver, the other for the infotainment touchscreen. They grow to 14.3-inches on Platinum, Pro-4X and Platinum Reserve trims. Nissan takes advantage of that screen space to good effect, offering a front view camera that provides a view that can’t be seen from the driver’s seat, one that can be expanded to 170 degrees view across both screens. That’s in addition to a rearview camera mirror, which helps when the car is packed to the brim with stuff. There are also dash cams that record and take photos or videos outside and inside, should you need them.

As you’d expect, the 2025 Nissan Armada comes with standard wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto and wireless charging on all but the base SV trim. There’s also an incredible Klipsch 12-speaker 600-watt audio system with a clarity and sound quality that’s jaw-dropping.

And, yes, you might expect upper trim levels to have such niceties as heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, although you wouldn’t expect the Armada to have a biometric sensor. It uses infrared sensors to measure passengers’ surface temperatures and adjust the climate control appropriately.

Throughout the Armada, its entire package impresses, as if it’s all been significantly upgraded — or at least more thoughtfully designed. There are the small touches that you’ll appreciate, such as door panels, instrument panel and center console that are wrapped and stitched, rather than merely stamped from molded plastic. And, should you require them, your Nissan dealer has a bunch of canine and camping accessories to customize your Armada.

Having had the chance to sample the Armada Platinum Reserve on the hills and hollers around the company’s American headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee, you’d have to wonder why you’d bother to consider the Infiniti QX80. The Infiniti’s trim might be fancier, but the mechanical bits including an air suspension, are here at a lower price. Certainly, the top-of-the-line Platinum Reserve feels opulent, with a quiet hushed ride. Its independent double-wishbone suspension ably handles whatever rough pavement crops up. The suspension is tuned for comfort while working off-road. So, cornering quickly brings out body lean, but it’s not extreme. But this rig’s extreme width calls for care on the South’s narrow two-lane roads. But the steering is nicely weighted, being neither too quick nor too slow. It’s just right, even if any road feel is negligible. Braking was more than sufficient.

Some may miss the V-8, but the twin-turbo V-6 provides more than enough muscle to handle this big rig. And while the EPA hasn’t yet rated the Armada for fuel economy, it returned just over 18 mpg in mostly suburban driving.

A brief spin in the Pro-4X reveals it to be as capable off-road as on. Being so wide, its side-view cameras are especially helpful on tight trails and in corners, although those who park in tight parking spaces will appreciate them as well.

Prices start at just over $56,000 before destination charge, and top out below $80,000. That makes the 2025 Nissan Armada a compelling value compared to the QX80. It’s easy to be impressed with its mix of technology, crisp design and roomy comfort. It’s truly one big kahuna.

2025 Nissan Armada

Base price: $58,530-$82,000

Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6

Horsepower/Torque: 425/516 pound-feet

EPA rating: TBA

Fuel required: Regular

Length/Width/Height: 210/83/77 inches

Ground clearance: 9.6 inches

Payload: 1,684-1,898 pounds

Cargo capacity: 20-56 cubic feet

Towing capacity: 8,500 pounds

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