Test drive Nissan Armada SUV in 2009
Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Along the length of this huge SUV with a formidable name Nissan Pathfinder Armada and superior Chevrolet Tahoe, and Ford Expedition. But, as shown by our test at Armada has other advantages.
Xxxl In fact, the idea is simple and clear Armada. It's amazing that he was born only in 2003. His appearance this car is obliged amazing situation on the US market. For decades, Japanese manufacturers have consistently pressed the pre-sentatives of the Big Three in almost all segments. Toyota Camry and Honda Accord topped sales charts among car models, specially created brand Lexus and Infiniti were able to take away a significant portion of buyers at Lincoln and the Cadillac, and even in the class mid-size SUV good position occupied Mitsubishi Montero, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner. But in the full-size segment, or more simply, the giant SUVs and pickups, American companies continued to feel great. And only in the Toyota decided to prepare its Tundra and Sequoia models to deal with Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Tahoe. They made a good impression, but it alone did not make the revolution.
Therefore, after a triumphant debut midsize Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX in Nissan USA decided to go to the heavyweight class and a contrast to the Toyota tried to loudly declare themselves by presenting a bright and interesting product. For the first time officially SUV Pathfinder Armada was shown at a motor show in New York, and in the fall began its serial production. And in December, and his fellow Titan pickup has become a conveyor of the new Nissan plant in Mississippi. And Titan is so shocked American journalists that worthy to receive several prestigious awards, the move won in annual competitions respected automotive publications. Old and new
Armada and Titan were designed in accordance with traditional American standards, which were formed due to the existence of Suburban and Silverado. The SUV and PIKAP use a common platform and most of the mechanical nodes. Frame structure, v8 large volume under huge
hood, mandatory automatic transmission, to select the rear or four-wheel drive. And Nissan specialists tried to achieve maximum compliance with these requirements, no matter how strange they seem, especially in contrast with the Infiniti FX avant-garde crossover. But the creators of Armada did not refuse themselves in pleasure and laid several pleasant surprises in their brainchild for competitors. To their number, no doubt include advanced independent suspension of all wheels, a whole complex of auxiliary electronic systems and a high-class system of full drive. Suppressing sizes and character
Even on the site of the car dealership forced by SUVs, Armada is striking. The car is huge not only by itself each his decorative element literally affects its size. Hefty
headlights, bumpers, wheels and even the mirrors here everything carries in itself a printed print Full Size. And thanks to its ARMADA styling, it looks even more concerned and aggressively than the same Suburban, although he loses to him in length. Nothing amazing: Nissan designers put a lot of effort to create a bright and memorable image. Here will be a comparison with a compact European X-Trail. Indeed, the design of the front (headlights, bumpers and even the radiator grille) Armada is slightly reminiscent of the X-Trail. All these elements at the X-TRAIL are underlined by a friendly style, and Armada has a good nature gave way to britality and massiveness. As we see, the style that American capacities created for decades were created, and the SUVs of Japanese companies were finally adopted. And we will not hide, it works on the road: few people will cross the trajectory of this car.
A truly intriguing turned out the back of Armada. Here, starting with the second pair of side doors, many stylistic solutions become inexplicable. So, the knobs of these doors moved high up to the side racks, the rear wheel arches were greatly extended, the door of the luggage compartment, the rear bumper and headlights are composed at all of several bizarre blocks of chopped shape. It is difficult to deny that thanks to this design Armada is unique in its own way. Style and Spacious
One can only rejoice in Nissan, they decided to beat all the armada classmates not only on the internal size of the cabin, but also on his finish. It is no secret as Tahoe, and Expedition It is our interior that demonstrate all signs of pick-up origin from carelessly, and in places and frankly cheap performed front panel and not always justified ergonomic solutions. And here Armada turns out to be much more interesting than his rivals. The main thing is that the penetration of ideas from the world of passenger cars. And this also applies to the decisions on the layout of the passenger compartment, and the choice of finishing materials, and the design style.
The front panel pleasantly surprises with its restrained business execution. Before the driver, a beautiful three-spoke steering wheel and instrument panel with neat dials. The central console is another sample functionality. And although the audio system and air conditioning are not highlighted in separate blocks, as they manage, you understand at the level of intuition. Such a simplicity can cause Europeans and indulgent smirk, and even some feeling envy, because for the full management of all ARMADA systems, its owner is most likely not to look into the user manual. The size of the cabin and its layout will also remain in memory for a long time. And it is necessary to pay tribute to Nissan specialists: they perfectly disposed the internal expanses. Armada width exceeds 2 m, and it is in the cabin
it is felt right away. The front seats are separated by an impressive central stand. It is on it, on a solid height in relation to the floor of the cabin, a selector of an automatic transmission is located. This item once again reminds us of an attempt to bring new solutions and technologies to the class of full-sized SUVs. Recall that in Tahoe, and Expedition is still traditional steering levers to switch gear. The front seats themselves are a reasonable compromise between comfort and sports. It turned out what is needed for the car of this class, large, luxurious chairs, in which, however, feel the presence of lateral support. By the way, the driver will definitely like it and the ability to adjust the pedals: so to get comfortable in Armada will be even easier, especially after a car. 
Pleasant surprise: the car provided to us for the test has unusual seats of the second row. In the Nissan specification, they are called captain and constitute a couple of chairs with a comfortable armrest between them. In our realities, such a decision turns out to be much more convenient than a traditional sofa to the entire width of the cabin, and for the transport of still three passengers there is a third row of seats. But if, on the stock of the passengers of the second row of Armada seats, it simply has no equal in its class, then behind the radiating people will be closed. As it is now accepted in the United States, the third row of seats were somewhat lifted, providing a good overview of the back and for those located far from behind the passengers. About complete sets
As with every SUV, developed for the American market, the Armada offers a fairly wide list of options. And although gray importers will bring such cars, as a rule, in maximum equipment, spend a few minutes to study them. For the US market prepared two basic execution
SE and LE. In the version of Le we just find everything you need, for which I would have to pay extra in SE: Captive seats of the second row, heated seats, the function of memorizing various positions of the seats, mirrors and pedals, as well as an advanced audio system Bose with ten speakers. But above that, you can purchase the TECHNOLOGY package, which includes additional systems. Among them are useless, we have a navigation system with a monitor at the top of the center console, two-zone automatic climate control, a hatch with an electric drive and a trunk door with an electric motor. It is curious that the DVD player with a liquid crystal screen, leaning out of the console on the ceiling after the front seats, will have to search for options separately: in the TECHNOLOGY package it is not included. Devouring space
The Armada road demonstrates behavior, worthy of the novelties of 2003, as it turned out, if desired, car companies are able to pick up interesting chassis settings even on full-sized SUVs. In the case of Armada, the correct recipe was surprisingly simple: an independent rear suspension, a rush steering mechanism with clear reactions, a modern brake system. It was they who turned the stay driving this bullfight from work in pleasure. Full-size wheels with tires dimension 265/70 R18 and incredible road lumen in 270 mm allowed not to worry about choosing the desired trajectory when moving on broken roads and overcoming tram tracks. With pits, ughabs and other urban troubles, the car coped with ease, worthy of admiration. As then showed our country maneuvers, Armada is moving with enviable perseverance and over rough terrain. 
One should only remember that if a heavy SUV is stuck somewhere, then pull it out by a tractor. You can not doubt that Armada will appreciate all lovers of various active recreation techniques. There are few SUVs in the world, capable of equally towing a trailer in not the best road conditions, providing decent comfort passengers. And it was worth getting out to the country highway, as we began to rejoice in the clarity and predictability of reactions when driving at high speeds. This car can really feel, while maintaining the high speed of movement. The rear suspension works wonders, allowing without fears to rebuild from a number of in a row. Of course, the high center of gravity here imposes its limitations, but Nissan designers were able to neutralize them somewhat. Separately, we note the correct operation of the developed complex of active safety systems. In mandatory on Armada, there are ABS with BRAKE Assist auxiliary systems and the electronic distribution of the EBD braking force, as well as the VDC dynamic stabilization system with a built-in anti-test module.
The car received a complete drive system with an algorithm of work, resembling the cult of Nissan Skyline GT-R. In AUTO mode, under normal conditions, the entire torque is transmitted to the rear wheels. When starting slipping, the system moves to 50% torque to the front axle. In addition, the driver can independently select the transmission mode (only rear or permanent four-wheel drive), as well as connect a downgrade gearbox. However, even when driving on a mixed snow-icy flooring field, we have enough opportunities for AUTO mode. Reliable feedback from the car allowed and a little to lose weight, provoking spectacular drifts. To taste, gambling drivers will also have the temperament of the ARMADA motor. This mighty 8-cylinder unit with an aluminum unit has received a modern valve stuffing. There is no doubt that for Europeans 305 hp, taken from the 5.6-liter engine, are not presented with something outstanding. If, of course, it is not mentioned about 520 nm of the maximum torque, 90% of which the motor gives already at 2500 rpm. All this allows you to call the Pathfinder Armada the most powerful serial Nissan SUV in the entire history of the company. Its dynamic abilities a car with pride demonstrates the first attempt to set speed.
The machine weighing more than 2.5 tons is broken off with enviable ease, without special delays, switching gear and not irritating the passengers with unpleasant sounds from the engine compartment. According to the subjective feelings of Armada, there is much faster than Tahoe, and according to the rate of accelerations at speeds, exceeding 100 km / h, this car is a worthy opponent with a magnificent Cadillac Escalade with a 6-liter engine. King-Size SUV
Following the Murano and FX, the new Pathfinder Armada turns out to be the third American Nissan SUV, which has very good prospects in our market. Potential buyers should definitely come to taste an impressive armada dimensions, unusual design and technical components of a very high level. Obviously, the price of about 90 thousand dollars will also not be a serious obstacle for many of them. And only one can make them abandon the purchase of Armada news about the imminent beginning of the production of Infiniti QX56. In fact, it will be Armada with a slightly modified appearance and more luxurious interior decoration. Look forward to...
Some specific characteristics of Nissan Armada
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 5255x2001x1999
Base, mm: 3129
Pitch in front / rear, mm: 1715/1715
Clearance, mm: 270
Curb weight, kg: 2417
Trunk volume, l: 566/2750
Engine type: gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder
Working volume, cube. CM: 4572.
Max. Power, hp / rpm: 305/4900
Max. Moment, nm / rpm: 520/3600
Drive: Full
Transmission: Automatic 5-Range
Tires: 265/70 R18
Max. Speed, km / h: no data
Access time is 0-100 km, from: less than 8.0
Fuel consumption (city / route), l / 100 km: 24/16
Tank volume, l: 106
Fedor Oldin
A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"