Review Car

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Armada

The 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Armada is big. It’s longer than a Ford Expedition, longer than a Toyota Sequoia, and much longer than a Chevy Tahoe. The 2011 2011 Pathfinder Armada’s closest competitors include the Buick Rainier, the GMC Yukon, and the Volkswagen Touareg. Upon introduction, the 4X2 SE is equipped with a standard 5.6-liter, V8, 305-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. The 4X4 LE is equipped with a standard 5.6-liter, V8, 305-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 18-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. The 2011 2011 Pathfinder Armada is all-new for 2011. Nissan is introducing a full-size sport-utility vehicle this fall called the Pathfinder Armada.

An armada is a large moving force, and that description certainly fits the Pathfinder Armada. This big Nissan rides on a 123.2-inch wheelbase, significantly longer than that of Sequoia, Expedition, and Tahoe, though not quite as long as the Suburban

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Armada will be offered in three versions: the well-equipped base version, the SE, and the LE. The SE Off-Road comes in two-wheel or four-wheel drive, with special shock absorbers, all-terrain tires on special 17-inch wheels, skid plates, and fog lights. LE comes with a chrome grille, second-row bucket seats and leather-trimmed seats. Options include Bose audio, sunroof and a ceiling-mounted DVD system for passengers in the rear cabin. Armada’s interior has a masculine, hard-edged look, with large knobs and buttons. The dash will look familiar to anyone who’s seen a Titan. The Armada gets it virtually intact, from the raised center stack topped by the navigation screen to the instrument panel. Even the three-spoke steering wheel is the same.The best seats in the house, wide comfy chairs, belong to the driver and front passenger. Adjustable pedals allow drivers of all statures to have a customized driving position. The front passenger seat folds flat allowing long cargo, up to 11 feet, to be carried inside. Inside, look for three rows of seats with some of the best legroom you’ll find in a full-size SUV. As usual, third-row seating, with safety belts for three, is best left for kids because there’s minimal legroom and it’s a clamber to get in.

2011 Nissan Pathfinder Armada will turn a lot of heads when it sails into dealerships this fall. There will be no cheapie versions, every one loaded for bear with a powerful engine, strong and comfortable chassis, and lots of accoutrements even in the standard version. The standard transmission will be a five-speed automatic, which is preferable to a traditional four-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are available. Four-wheel-drive models have a two-speed transfer case that includes an Auto 4×4 mode. Armada boasts a 9,100-pound tow rating; a special low first-gear crawl ratio comes with the Big Tow and Off-Road SE packages. Like a true truck, the Armada body rides on a separate frame, fully boxed for strength. However, Nissan opted for a smooth-riding double-wishbone rear suspension for the Armada. Armada comes standard with 18-inch wheels. Shorter, firmer sidewalls on larger diameter wheels like these typically provide better cornering feel. 2011 Nissan Pathfinder Armada reckons to be one of the big guns in the big SUV field. Despite the trend to smaller SUVs, car platform SUVs and crossover sorta-SUVs, sometimes nothing less than a full-size sport-utility will do.