Test Drive: Nissan Pathfinder Armada

The conqueror: NISSAN SENDS PATHFINDER ARMADA TO TAKE ON FULL-SIZE SUV MARKET

By Ron Moorhead

It's no accident that Nissan has named their all-new sport utility the Pathfinder Armada. It is about to do battle with the major competitors in this segment and their intent is to make that competition walk the gangplank.

The Pathfinder Armada is based on a body-on-frame construction, which is also used on their new full sized pickup, the Titan. The Pathfinder Armada offers a full-size interior and big V-8 power. It also offers all the features buyers are looking for in a large SUV. Nissan is betting they have done their home work and will be a major player in the market.

Nissan uses the Pathfinder name along with the Armada because Nissan feels it brings immediate recognition that this vehicle is capable. While the Passport may be a mid-size SUV, it has a solid reputation as a four wheeler that performs as expected.

To assure the Pathfinder Armada is rugged and capable, Nissan gave it a welded boxed frame. The front suspension system comprises double wishbones. The rear suspension system for the Armada is a fully independent, double wishbone for a more comfortable ride.

Another reason for Armada receiving the independent suspension is to make the third-row, fold-flat seat possible. Having a ridged solid axle would not have allowed this feature, which is deemed a must in this category. So, Nissan engineers designed a suspension system with axles that pass through portholes in the frame rails and provide the needed room for the lowered floor. It sacrifices nothing and adds tremendous benefits to the entire vehicle. The move to four-wheel independent suspension also provides the increased comfort in ride quality that is prerequisite in the full-size SUV category. The suspension system is nicely tuned to provide a well-balanced ride on a wide variety of roads. One the highway the Armada is easy on your back side, doing an adequate job of smoothing out the jolts. On bumpy dirt trails the suspension socks up the ruts but provides excellent support for getting you to the camp site.

The Armada is equipped with a new aluminum, 5.6-liter V-8 engine that produces all the power and torque you need to haul or pull all those heavy loads. Producing 302 horsepower and 385 lbs.-ft. of torque, the Armada can tow more than 9,000 pounds.

The Armada and Titan share more than just the production line. The five-speed automatic transmission works well in both vehicles. A tow mode switch signals the transmission to adjust the shifting sequence needed when towing heavy loads. The tow mode shifting is also much more sporting than normal mode. Additionally, the Armada receives rack and pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes and in four-wheel drive models, electronic controls to shift between two- and four-wheel drive modes.

Moving to the interior, the Armada carries the bold vertical appearance portrayed by the front end to the center dash. Surrounding the sound system and HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) controls are vertical bars that separate passenger and driver sides of the dash.

.Nissan says that they made the HVAC controls large and easy to handle when wearing work gloves, which is no doubt the case. But, that also makes the knobs large and overstated. But hey, they are sure easy to manipulate.

The second-row seats offer up plenty of leg room for even are tallest riders and fold nearly flat. The previously mentioned third -ow seat folds into the floor, providing plenty of cargo storage space. Nissan provides plenty grab handles for the front two rows, a nice touch. But, they along with every other manufacturers out there forgot about the third row. We do, however, applaud Nissan designers for having the windows in the rear doors retract fully into the doors.

On the paved surface of the highway, the Armada travels well. Its wheel base and wide track give this vehicle a firm foot print on the asphalt and smooths out the uneven surfaces that seem to permeate all of American's roads.

Off-road, the Armada is as capable as 99 percent of all owners will want. This isn't a military tank, but then again we don't look for that sort of go-anywhere ability in the vehicle we have to live with on a day-to-day basis. And that is what the Armada will do; make day-to-day life a whole lot easier on you and your passengers. Plus, give you the ability to traverse the rarely encountered forest trail with confidence.