2025 Nissan Armada Finally Lives Up To Its Patrol Heritage With Pro-4X Off-Road Trim And Locking Rear Diff

It’s been a long time since the Nissan Armada was discussed as a serious contender against some of the industry’s toughest competitors, but the large SUV’s redesign for 2025 sees it gain a new beefed-up off-road trim, a more powerful twin-turbo V6 shared with the also new Infiniti QX80, and other mechanical goodies that were previously relegated to the Patrol that the rest of the world got.

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The outgoing Armada was a woefully outdated truck that floundered when compared to its Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia challengers. The new truck is full of new tech, has bold new styling, a significantly stiffer chassis, and a modern twin-turbocharged V6 that sends 425 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque through a new 9-speed automatic transmission, all of which help bring the Armada up to modern standards. That’s an improvement of 25 hp and 103 lb-ft over the old Armada’s naturally aspirated V8.

Photo: Nissan

For off-road fans the biggest news for the new Armada comes from the addition of a hardcore Pro-4X trim that features adaptive air suspension, legit metal skid plates, and for the first time ever, a locking rear differential. The Armada was never offered in the U.S. with a locking rear diff, despite its overseas relative the Patrol being revered for its unstoppable off-road reputation. Objectively, Pro-4X trim comes standard with 4WD, a maximum of 9.6 inches of ground clearance, 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, and optimized bumpers to improve approach and departure angles. Subjectively, the Pro-4X model has very aggressive styling that holds its own against other macho competitors like the Yukon AT4 and Sequoia TRD Pro.

The entire Armada lineup gets dual 12.3-inch screens as standard, which sit atop a much nicer-looking dashboard in a cabin that has been completely overhauled, no longer looking a decade out of date. The new Armada also boasts LED headlights, increased interior room, power front seats, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Trim levels start with base SV trim, followed by SL, Platinum, Pro-4X, and Platinum Reserve. The Platinum Reserve trim is available with exclusive 22-inch wheels, that adaptive air suspension, a rear LED light bar, massaging front seats, heated second-row seats, a head-up display and larger 14.3-inch displays. All 2025 Armadas feature Nissan’s ProPilot Assist systems with tons of active safety features and available ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows hands-free driving in some situations.

Platinum Reserve trimPhoto: Nissan

EPA fuel economy estimates, pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but we will keep you updated as soon as we receive any information. The 2025 Armada’s locking rear differential and Pro-4X trim will be a big deal for the few folks who enjoy taking up to eight total people off the beaten path, but for most customers the vastly improved interior, chassis and powertrain will be the biggest deals. Realistically, a minivan will do most of the same duties as the Armada while getting better gas mileage, being more maneuverable and more comfortable on-road, and likely cheaper.