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2004 Nissan Armada Road Test

Hefty Hauler for Heavy Loads

Wow, this thing is big! Nissan hasnt exactly been shy about entering the full-size SUV market, with the Armada (the Pathfinder designation has been dropped as expected) taking up more space on the road than most domestic SUVs.

And its not one of those large vehicles that feels small when on the road either. Rather the Armada makes its presence known to all in its path and everyone on board as well. Kids getting rowdy? Stick them way back in the third row, tune in a DVD and tune them out while theyre entranced under headphones, it doesnt get much easier to find bliss on the open road.

While I had no difficulties maneuvering around town, again the Armada is no cute-ute. Finding parking was a bit of a chore, with most

The full-size Nissan Armada SUV makes its presence known to all in its path. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

these days designed to optimize real estate, benefiting smaller cars.

But you cant fit up to eight adults in a small car, a need fulfilled by the massive SUV. You can also tow an Airstream, or even better, a Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport behind, the result of its 9,100 pound towing capacity - it needs to be properly equipped with the towing package to reach these numbers mind you, that includes a receiver hitch, heavy-duty radiator, additional 7-pin wiring harness

The massive SUV can fit up to eight adults and is capable of towing 9,100 pounds. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

plug, trailer brake pre-wiring, heavy-duty battery, a rear air suspension leveling system, higher axle ratio and a transmission temperature gauge.

But even in base SE trim, take a trip to IKEA and youll be able to fit half the store into the trucks cargo area. OK, bit of stretch, but the Armadas 19.5 cubic foot capacity behind the rear seats, 56.9 cubes with just the rears folded, and gargantuan 96.9 cubic feet of volume when all seats are folded forward, is enormous.

While

The Armada is an amazingly versatile vehicle, with an enormous cargo volume. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

I was driving the Armada around town I couldnt help but think about everything I needed to get done that required hauling capacity. Pick up some more large bookshelves for the office, hit the hardware store for some 2x4s and drywall to finish the basement, haul a load off to the dump, go up to my dads, grab his trailer, pop the boat onto the roof rack and go fishing, yeah, thats more like it. Its an amazingly versatile vehicle, for sure.

While it is XXXL sized, Nissan made sure the heavy duty 5,289 to 5,328 pound curb weight, depending on features, wouldnt tax forward progression,

For such a large vehicle, the Armada has surprisingly quick acceleration off the line. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

by adding a standard 5.6-liter Endurance V8 delivering 305 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 385 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. Thats the highest output standard engine for any SUV sold in North America, and it feels like it too. Whats more, its a technically advanced bit of engineering. Its hardware includes an all-new aluminum block, cast iron cylinder liners, plus a forged steel crankshaft (microfinished like the camshaft). Molybdenum-coated pistons are integrated as well, plus 6-bolt main bearing caps and a Super Silent single-stage time chain.

All these parts add up to surprisingly quick acceleration off the line, aided by its well sorted 5-speed automatic

A 2-speed electronic transfer case can be switched between auto, full-time 4-wheel drive and 4-Lo. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

transmission with manual shift mode. Kick the throttle down and the big ute launches forward with the added excitement of a growling V8 rumbling through the firewall. In many ways the Canton, Mississippi-made Japanese-brand SUV bests the domestics at their own game, but not all ways.

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