2010 Nissan Armada - Page 1 Review

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Shopping for a 2010 Nissan Armada? MSRP: $37,510 - $52,490

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An imposing stance and rugged, macho styling cues separate the 2010 Nissan Armada from the rest of the full-size SUV crowd, but the Armada fails to stand out for interior space, comfort, or practicality. The Armada got a refresh for 2009, including some revised equipment and new option packages, but it essentially continues unchanged.

With its flared fenders, chunky contours, and various other bulges around the wheel wells and hood, combined with a very upright profile, the 2010 Nissan Armada looks imposing and even aggressive, some might say. A prominent pillar at the back of the rear door almost makes the Armada look like a pickup variant, yet it also harkens back to Nissan's former versions of the Pathfinder. Inside the Armada is a little softer in its design compared to other full-size trucks, though plenty of bins and a vast center console mean business.

Towing and hauling remain strengths for the Armada, but its sheer heft opposes any quick changes in direction and drags down fuel economy. A 5.6-liter V-8 engine remains standard on the 2010 Armada, producing 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. It works well with the five-speed automatic transmission, with no hesitation to downshift, and offers class-leading towing capacity of up to 9,100 pounds. The Armada is, quite simply, a guzzler; the EPA city rating is just 12 mpg, and lower real-world figures are likely if you’re doing a lot of stop-and-go.