The 2025 Nissan Armada Has A Lot of Cool Upgrade, But It's The 1st Time The Armada Is Getting a Seriously Off-Road-Focused Version

The 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X is here, and it’s not just another full-size SUV. Nissan has completely overhauled the Armada for the 2025 model year, delivering more power, better efficiency, and a rugged new PRO-4X trim aimed squarely at off-road enthusiasts. Gone is the thirsty V8; in its place, we have a twin-turbo V6 that offers more horsepower and torque while improving fuel economy. This redesigned Armada also shares more DNA with the globally recognized Nissan Patrol, reinforcing its reputation as a serious off-roader. Nissan has not only given the Armada a modern, muscular look, but also loaded it with advanced technology, innovative safety features, and enhanced towing capabilities.

Currently in troubled waters, the manufacturer is nevertheless looking to turn things around and gain significant market share with its new huge SUV. This vehicle differs a little more this time from the QX80 offered by Infiniti, which has also been updated and is trying to play a more adventurous card. For the record, the Armada was launched in 2004 on the market, achieving record sales figures in its first year that have never been reached again in North America. The second generation followed in 2016 and the third is due for 2025, marking the adoption of a six-cylinder engine.

If you’re looking for a full-size SUV that can handle family road trips, heavy towing, and off-road adventures with ease, the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X should be high on your list. I spent a week testing this big SUV for Torque News, putting it through various driving conditions, and I was seriously impressed with what it had to offer. Now let's take a deep dive into everything that makes this new Armada a standout in the highly competitive SUV market. Remember, the Armada was the first to introduce Nissan's then-new and current logo.

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Nissan Armada is a full redesign from the previous generation, bringing numerous upgrades. The most significant change is under the hood: a new twin-turbo 3.5L V6 replaces the outgoing V8, delivering 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This means more power, improved fuel economy, and a better overall driving experience.

Another big highlight is the introduction of the PRO-4X trim, which is specifically designed for off-road enthusiasts. This model features an electronic locking rear differential, increased ground clearance, Adaptive Electronic Air Suspension, and hill descent control.

Nissan has also upgraded the infotainment system, now offering dual 14.3-inch displays with Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an available premium Bose audio system. The Armada’s towing capabilities have also been enhanced, now offering a maximum tow rating of 8,500 pounds, making it an excellent choice for those who need to haul trailers, boats, or RVs.

Rugged and Bold: Exterior Design & Styling

At first glance, the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X makes a powerful statement. Nissan has given it an aggressive and modern design, featuring a bold front grille with blacked-out elements, LED headlights with a sleek new signature, and prominent fender flares. The PRO-4X trim takes things a step further with Lava Red tow hooks, black-painted accents, and off-road-ready fender flares. The overall stance is muscular, and thanks to the raised suspension and higher ground clearance, it looks ready to conquer rugged terrain.

The Armada PRO-4X comes equipped with 20-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, designed to handle everything from paved highways to rocky trails. Skid plates protect the underbody from off-road obstacles, while the improved approach and departure angles ensure that steep inclines and declines are no problem. The new Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View camera system add to the off-road capability, making it easier to navigate tricky paths and avoid unseen obstacles.

Armada's Interior Comfort and Practicality

Step inside the 2025 Armada PRO-4X, and you’ll find a cabin that balances rugged durability with premium comfort. Nissan has made significant improvements in material quality, seating comfort, and space. The PRO-4X trim comes with leather-appointed seats, PRO-4X badging, and Lava Red stitching that adds a sporty yet upscale touch. The front seats are heated and ventilated, ensuring comfort in all weather conditions.

The second-row offers captain’s chairs (available), giving passengers a more premium experience, while the third-row seating is spacious enough for adults on shorter trips.

Here is how the 3rd seating looks like.

With ample cargo space and power-folding rear seats, the Armada is well-suited for road trips and hauling gear. Nissan’s quiet cabin technology and enhanced insulation also make for a more refined driving experience.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Safety Features

The 2025 Armada PRO-4X isn’t just about ruggedness; it’s also packed with the latest technology. The dual 14.3-inch displays dominate the dashboard, offering crisp visuals and Google built-in, allowing access to Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store apps directly from the infotainment system.

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist 2.1 makes highway driving a breeze, offering hands-free assistance on certain highways. Safety is also a priority, with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Trailer Blind Spot Monitoring to make towing safer and easier.

Engine Performance and Power

Under the hood, the 2025 Armada PRO-4X gets a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 that churns out 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s 25 more horsepower and 103 lb-ft more torque than the outgoing V8, and you can feel the difference when accelerating or towing. The new 9-speed automatic transmission delivers smoother shifts, quicker acceleration, and better efficiency, making this Armada much more refined and responsive than its predecessor.

Despite switching to a V6, the Armada doesn’t feel underpowered. It still has plenty of low-end grunt for towing and off-road use, and the turbochargers help deliver power across the entire RPM range.

Fuel Economy: More Efficient Than Before

One of the biggest benefits of the new twin-turbo V6 is improved fuel economy. While official EPA ratings are yet to be released, Nissan estimates that the 2025 Armada PRO-4X will achieve better MPG than the previous model’s 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway figures. Expect something closer to 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, which is a significant improvement for a full-size SUV of this caliber. This boost in efficiency makes the Armada a more practical choice for long road trips and everyday commuting, reducing the need for frequent fuel stops while maintaining its powerful performance.

Whether you're navigating city streets, towing a trailer, or venturing off-road, the improved fuel efficiency means you can go further with fewer fill-ups. Combined with a large fuel tank, the Armada PRO-4X ensures you spend more time on the road and less time at the pump, making it a standout option in its segment.

Driving and Handling

So, let’s talk about how the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X actually drives because, honestly, it’s a bit of a surprise for a big SUV like this. That twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque? It’s a lot of power. You step on the gas, and it just moves, no hesitation, which is wild for something this size. The 9-speed transmission shifts super smooth, too, so you’re not getting any jerky vibes whether you’re cruising on the highway or crawling over some rocks. And that adaptive air suspension? It’s a game-changer. You can feel it soak up bumps when you’re off-road, keeping things comfy even when the terrain gets nasty. On pavement, it lowers down a bit, and the whole ride feels planted-like, you’d expect a full-size SUV to lumber along, but this one’s got some pep in its step.

Now, handling-wise, the PRO-4X isn’t going to corner like a sports car. Let’s be real, it’s still a hefty three-row SUV. But for what it is, Nissan’s done a solid job tightening things up. The steering’s got a nice weight to it, not too floaty, so you feel in control whether you’re weaving through traffic or navigating a tight trail. Off-road, that electronic locking rear diff and all-terrain tires really shine, giving you grip where you’d think a big rig like this might slip. On the road, the suspension keeps body roll in check better than you’d expect, especially when you’re loaded up with gear or passengers. It’s not razor-sharp, but it’s responsive enough to make driving fun, which is saying something for a family hauler that can also climb a hill like a champ.

Armada's Competitors and Its Advantages Over Them

Alright, let’s chat about the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X and who it’s squaring up against in the full-size SUV ring. Its closest competitors are probably the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, the Chevrolet Tahoe Z71, and maybe the Jeep Grand Wagoneer with its off-road package. The Sequoia TRD Pro is a tough one. Toyota’s got that hybrid i-Force Max setup with 437 horsepower and killer fuel efficiency for a big SUV, plus a solid rep for off-road chops. The Tahoe Z71 brings a burly V8 option with 355 horsepower (or a 420-hp version if you go higher up the trims), tons of space, and some decent trail-ready features like skid plates and all-terrain tires. Then there’s the Grand Wagoneer, which leans more luxury but still offers a 4x4 system and air suspension for off-road cred, with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six pushing 510 horsepower in its top spec. These are all heavy hitters, each with their own flavor of capability and comfort.

So, what’s the Armada PRO-4X got over these guys?

For starters, that adaptive air suspension is a standout. It’s not just about ride height tweaks like the Wagoneer’s; it’s tuned to balance off-road ruggedness with on-road refinement in a way that feels more versatile than the Tahoe’s more truck-like setup. The 425-hp twin-turbo V6 and 516 lb-ft of torque give it a sweet spot of power—beating the base Tahoe Z71 and hanging close to the Sequoia’s hybrid output, but without the hybrid complexity. Plus, the electronic locking rear diff is a rare gem in this class; the Sequoia skips it, and the Tahoe only offers a limited-slip unless you spec up. The Armada’s also got a price edge. Nissan tends to undercut Chevy and Toyota on MSRP, and it’s way more affordable than the luxe-leaning Wagoneer. Throw in the PRO-4X’s fresh off-road focus with skid plates and all-terrain tires, and it’s carving out a niche as a practical, powerful all-rounder that doesn’t break the bank or skimp on trail-ready tech.

So, there you have it: the 2025 Nissan Armada PRO-4X is stepping up as a serious player in the full-size SUV game, blending off-road grit with everyday usability in a way that’s got us pretty intrigued.

But now I am curious: how do you think that twin-turbo V6 and adaptive air suspension combo stacks up against the hybrid power of the Sequoia TRD Pro or the raw V8 muscle of the Tahoe Z71? Would it be enough to sway you toward the Armada? And what about that off-road-ready PRO-4X trim? Do you see it as a legit contender for weekend warriors, or is it still playing catch-up to the established trail kings? Please, drop your thoughts in the comments below; we’d love to hear your take and get a little discussion going.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.