Since its introduction in 2004, the stylish, powerful and roomy Nissan Armada has stood out among the crowded field of full-size SUVs as a vehicle designed to enhance spirited adventures, whether around town or around a campfire. Equally adept at keeping a crowd of enthusiastic young passengers entertained and in tow as it is towing up to 9,100 pounds, the Armada combines comfort, convenience and unlimited versatility.
Enhancements to Armada for the 2010 model year include a revised model lineup, which now features three well-equipped models: the Armada SE and two special editions, the Armada Titanium Edition and Armada Platinum Edition. All three models are equipped with a 5.6-liter Endurance V8 engine rated at 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, along with an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission, heavy-duty fully boxed ladder frame and comfortable double-wishbone suspension.
The Titanium Edition includes a full array of standard comfort and convenience features, including Nissan Intelligent Key™, leather-appointed seating with contrasting stitching, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, premium Bose® audio system with 11 speakers, power folding 3rd row 60/40-split seat and auto-leveling rear air suspension, along with 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
The new Platinum Edition adds heated front seats and steering wheel, power rear liftgate, moonroof, DVD Family Entertainment System and Nissan Navigation system with XM NavTraffic® system with real-time traffic information (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive. It also includes chrome clad 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and front sonar.
“With new content, updated and simplified packaging and visual enhancements inside and out, the 2010 Nissan Armada is perfectly in tune with customers’ needs and desires,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA).
Other changes for 2010 include new two-piece body-color side moldings with chrome strip treatment, contrasting interior stitching and revised wood grain finisher appearance for the Titanium and Platinum models; the addition of standard front seat side-impact supplemental air bags for the SE 4×2 model; and three new exterior colors.
The 2010 Nissan Armada is offered in two-wheel and four-wheel drive and with available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, which allows drivers to use traditional gasoline or an alternative fuel such as E85, a mix containing up to 85 percent renewable ethanol. The 2010 Armada has a towing capacity of up to 9,100 pounds (when properly equipped).
A Modern Yet Rugged Exterior and Roomy, Versatile Interior
With its wide stance, long 123.2-inch wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs, the 2010 Armada offers a highly manageable length of just over 17 feet (207.7 inches) – along with excellent stability and exceptional passenger and cargo room. Armada offers class-leading 2nd row roominess, as well as best-in-class overhead storage.
Armada’s progressive exterior design combines modern styling with traditional Nissan SUV ruggedness. Titanium and Platinum Editions feature chrome grilles (black grille color on Armada SE), while all models include chrome front door handles body-color rear door handles, one-piece type roof rails, side step rails, halogen headlights and privacy glass on 2nd and 3rd row windows and rear liftgate.
For 2010, Armada features new two-piece body-color side moldings with chrome insert strips on Titanium and Platinum Editions and Titanium, and Platinum badges (on the respective models).
Other available equipment includes fog lights and chrome roof rack (standard on Titanium and Platinum), power-operated flip-out rear quarter windows (Platinum Edition), power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps (Platinum Edition), power-operated liftgate (Platinum Edition) and power tilt/sliding glass moonroof (optional on Titanium Edition, standard on Platinum Edition).
Armada is offered in seven exterior colors, including three new colors (Navy Blue, Tuscan Sun and Lakeshore Slate) and four carryover colors (Galaxy Black, Smoke, Silver Lightning and Blizzard).
The Armada interior, like the exterior, combines modern style, functionality and versatility for active families. The large, comfortable interior offers class-leading 2nd row roominess and best-in-class interior overhead storage – along with standard seating for eight. Second row captain’s chairs with a removable 2nd row console are optional with the Platinum Edition.
The front bucket seats feature 8-way power adjustment and a manual lumbar support, while a 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat is standard on Titanium and Platinum Editions (4-way manual on SE models). Armada SE models include a flat- fold front passenger seat with cup holders and recessed work area. A gated floor-mounted shifter adds a sporty appearance and enhanced shift control.
Heated front seats, heated steering wheel and Platinum logo embroidered front seats are offered on Platinum Edition models. Armada’s highly functional front center console includes specialized storage areas for pens, tissues, CDs, HVAC vents, two cupholders and 12-volt power outlet at rear of console. The overhead console features multiple storage bins, six overhead dome lights and rear HVAC controls.
The 2nd row offers a fold flat 40/20/40 split bench seat while the elevated 3rd row 60/40-split folding bench seat (folds flat into floor) includes a standard power-folding feature (optional on SE 4×2).
Luxurious Seton leather-appointed seating is standard on Armada Titanium and Platinum Editions, with cloth seating on Armada SE. Every 2010 Armada also offers up to 14 cupholders and dual-zone automatic climate control.
“As demonstrated by the long list of standard and available equipment, ‘roughing it’ is not part of the Armada’s adventure vocabulary,” said Castignetti. “Armada provides everything from a premium soundtrack and DVD entertainment to navigation and hands-free phone use to get maximum enjoyment out of every excursion.”
For 2010, Armada is available with a Bose® audio system with AM/FM/MP3/CD6, 11 speakers and subwoofer (optional on SE 4×2, standard on SE 4×4 and Titanium Edition). The Platinum Edition takes it a step further with a standard premium Bose® audio system with 9.3 GB Music Box Hard Drive, AM/FM/MP3/CD6 with 11 speakers and subwoofer, dual media (allows use of radio and CD at the same time – headphones must be used to listen to the second audio source), amplifier and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately). The Platinum Edition also includes a standard Nissan Navigation System with XM NavTraffic® with real-time traffic information (XM® subscription required, sold separately).
Wood grain interior trim is also standard on Titanium and Platinum Editions, along with Nissan Intelligent Key™ with Twist Start, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and HomeLink® Universal Transceiver. Helping keep rear passengers occupied on trips of any length is an available DVD Family Entertainment System (standard on Platinum Edition) with 8.0-inch rear monitor, two wireless headphones and remote controller.
The 2010 Armada is offered in three interior colors: Almond (cloth only), Stone (leather only) and Charcoal (cloth and leather).
An Adventure-Ready Driveline
The 2010 Armada continues to offer outstanding performance built on a foundation of strength and power. Every Armada features Nissan’s rugged F-Alpha fully boxed frame, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and a refined 5.6-liter DOHC V8 engine, producing 317 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm. Torque has been tuned for optimum performance.
The engine includes an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, graphite-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, single-stage timing chain and an electronic “drive-by-wire” throttle for precise control. Available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology allows for the use of ethanol/gasoline fuel mixtures such as E85.
Also standard on every 2010 Armada is a reinforced electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul modes for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. A unique gear set, variable lock-up torque converter and advanced A/T management are utilized for improved shifting and economy.
Armada is offered in two-wheel drive or with an available All-Mode 4-wheel drive system with Auto/2WD/4H/4LO modes, electronically controlled part-time transfer case and 3.35:1 4LO crawl gear ratio. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates in two-wheel drive mode, but it can instantly distribute torque to all four wheels whenever road conditions warrant (up to 50 percent of torque can go to the front wheels on demand). Rugged Dana axles are utilized on all 2WD and 4WD models.
Responsive braking is provided by a standard 4-wheel disc brake system with Anti- lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Also standard are 2-wheel or 4-wheel limited-slip (ABLS) and a Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system (includes a deactivation switch). Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
Along with the responsive independent suspension, Titanium and Platinum Editions offer a standard automatic self-leveling rear air suspension, which helps provide a level ride when towing or carrying heavy cargo. Armada offers a 9,100-pound maximum towing capacity (when properly equipped).
Three wheel and tire packages are offered, depending on model: Armada SE features 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (painted finish) with P265/70R18 Conti-Trac tires on SE models; 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels (machine finished) with P275/60R20 Michelin tires are offered on Titanium Edition; and the Platinum Edition features 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels with P275/60R20 Michelin tires.
A Focus on Safety and Security
Every 2010 Armada includes an extensive list of safety features, including Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and front occupant classification sensor; roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side impact and rollover head protection for outboard positions in all three rows; front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; and front seat Active Head Restraints.
Also standard are 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including center position; LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system; child safety rear door locks; Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones; engine immobilizer; and Vehicle Security System.
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also standard, with warning lamp in the gauge cluster or a warning display in the navigation system (Platinum Edition).
An Expanded Choice of Models
For 2010, the Armada lineup expands to three models – SE, Titanium and Platinum – each offered in 4WD and 2WD drive configurations. By enhancing the standard content for the Titanium and Platinum Editions, the previous optional equipment packaging has been able to be greatly simplified, making the buying process easier for consumers. Only five options are offered for 2010.
The Driver Package (Armada SE 4×2 only) features Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, fog lights, RearView Monitor, premium Bose® audio system, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and power-operated 3rd row seat. The SE Tow Package (Armada SE 4×2 only) adds receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio (3.357), additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake pre-wiring on I/P, A/T temp gauge, heavy duty battery and rear suspension levelizer.
The Captain’s Seat Package (Platinum Edition only) replaces the 2nd row bench seat with 2nd row captain’s chairs and 2nd row center console; the Moonroof Package adds power tilt and glide moonroof; and the Family Entertainment System (FES) offers an 8-inch rear display monitor, a video port in the center console, DVD changer, remote controller and two wireless headphones.
The 2010 Armada is assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing in Canton, Mississippi.
