2026 Nissan Armada Nismo Seems to be So Cool I Do not Care That It is Not Truly Sporty

I am simply as sick of seeing information about vehicles that value greater than my annual wage as you’re, and I have been attempting to concentrate on reviewing extra inexpensive and accessible vehicles, so you possibly can’t actually be mad at me. I say that as a result of I lately had the possibility to drive the 2026 Nissan Armada Nismo, which begins at $81,270 earlier than any choices, and I completely fell in love with it. I’ve mentioned that the Volkswagen ID Buzz has the perfect vibes of any automobile on sale within the U.S., however now I feel the Armada Nismo has probably the most in-your-face, conspicuous, and commanding vibes of any new right this moment.

Full disclosure: Nissan flew me out to Tennessee, fed me, and put me up for an evening so I may take a look at out the 2026 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid and the facelifted 2026 Pathfinder. I additionally obtained to pattern a few of Nissan’s different choices, together with the 2026 Armada Nismo.

The Nismo is not that completely different from the remainder of the 2026 Armada lineup, however it does achieve 35 horsepower over all different Armada trim ranges, so its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 sends 460 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque to all 4 wheels by a nine-speed computerized transmission with paddle shifters. That seems like loads of energy as a result of it’s, however remember all that energy is nestled underneath the extraordinarily tall and upright grille of a full-sized, body-on-frame SUV that weighs 6,102 kilos, and may tow as much as 8,500 kilos.

Nismo breathed on a handful of parts for the Armada’s transformation right into a performance-flavored SUV, together with reprogramming the engine and revising valve clearances to offer it these extra horses over the usual truck. It additionally reworked the exhaust, the steering, and the usual air suspension. The Nismo additionally will get Energetic Sound Enhancement, which sends faux engine noise by the audio system to liven issues up inside, and it is truly convincingly efficient.

So Nismo touched a few the powertrain parts, that is nice. What actually issues is the adjustments to the surface, the place the Armada’s been given one hell of a daring makeover. Up entrance, Nismo elevated the dimensions of the Armada’s already massive entrance grille, and prolonged all of it the best way right down to the brand new entrance splitter. That splitter continues across the automobile as a full-width skirt with a contrasting purple accent, all the best way to the rear that contains a Nismo-branded diffuser to cap off the daring vibe. The outside renovation is accomplished by the 22-inch Nismo wheels, which could want some spacers to tuck underneath the physique the best way you really need them to.

The automobile I drove was painted Nismo-specific $450 Stealth Grey with the $1,450 Tremendous Black two-tone improve, however it’s additionally supplied in Black Diamond Pearl (the one normal no-cost coloration), and $750 Everest White, which may also be had as a two-tone paint job for $1,750. I do not find out about you, however I feel the Armada Nismo seems completely badass.

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The inside is simply obtainable in Charcoal leather-based with purple quilted Ultrasuede inserts on the seat bottoms and the seat again, topped off by Nismo-stitched headrests. There are different good touches like a steering wheel with a purple Ultrasuede straight-ahead marker and a purple stripe on the middle armrest. The inside comes collectively to offer an expensive, sporty really feel with supremely snug seats, and largely ample room other than headroom that is somewhat tight within the second and third rows of seats as a result of normal panoramic sunroof.

Sadly, from behind the wheel the Armada Nismo is not as profitable at being an SUV with sporty aspirations as its exterior styling convinces you it must be. It isn’t dangerous, however it’s not going to come back near something just like the Cadillac Escalade V, It is also about half the worth, although. The Armada’s finest asset is its straight-line efficiency; it is not going to snap any necks, however it’s by no means wanting for energy. The V6 gives good get-up-and-go, however when issues begin getting twisty, this 6,100-pound, body-on-frame SUV with a minimum of 8.9 inches of floor clearance does not really feel nimble. I do know, cease the presses.

The Armada’s steering has a pleasant hefty weight to it, and the behemoth by no means appears like it should shock you with some impromptu somersaults, however in my very temporary drive I wasn’t capable of construct sufficient confidence within the automobile and the unfamiliar roads to essentially push its limits. It is succesful, simply do not count on to be blown away by its responsiveness.

When the Armada was redesigned for 2025 it gained Nissan’s twin 14.3-inch digital shows with Google Constructed-In and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to the provision of Nissan’s ProPilot Help 2.1 hands-free, eyes-on Stage 2 automated driver help system. There may be loads of tech contained in the Armada Nismo to maintain of us blissful, together with 600-watt Klipsch 12-speaker audio system.

Fortunately the Armada has absolutely bodily controls for the local weather management system, in addition to for the 4WD system and a few radio controls, so most every day interactions could be dealt with with out a lot fuss in any respect. The steering wheel buttons are all contact capacitive and never tremendous intuitively marked, although, in order that they induced me some confusion on my 30-minute take a look at drive.

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The 2026 Nissan Armada Nismo is, within the venerable phrases of Peter Griffin, freakin’ candy. It is senseless, however it seems cooler than an enormous three-row body-on-frame household hauler has any proper to. Past its distinctive seems lies ample energy, an opulent and user-friendly inside house, a number of fascinating normal options, and it technically qualifies as a efficiency SUV, which is cool. Every little thing concerning the Armada Nismo is cool, and should you disagree, you then’re patently uncool.