When reviewing the 2017 Nissan Armada for the past week, I had two choices. The first would highlight a “week in the life” with the Armada playing a supporting role. The second would be a feature story starring the Armada. Instead, I decided to give you both.
Usually when I experience cars, I’m attending a press trip. These trips usually whisk you away to an amazing location where you’re surrounded by wonderful food and drink, interesting people, and amazing scenery. But sometimes, you’re simply spending a week at home with the family. It’s not as glamorous but it’s more realistic.
When I recently took the 2017 Nissan Armada for a test spin, I knew I needed to spend more time with it to fully appreciate it’s commanding luxury. Nissan arranged for me to spend a week in the Armada but not just any Armada. This was the Platinum trim, the highest level of features you can find.
We horsed around and made bad puns about horses
What better place to position the luxury than in the beautiful horse country of Maryland? By the way, did you even know Maryland is horse country?
In fact, we did have someplace to go in the large, capable, family SUV. We headed over to the Days End Farm Horse Rescue for their Fall Festival.
We parked in a nearby field (no worries with going “off road”) and walked over to join the festivities.
Just like homeless or abused cats and dogs, horses find themselves in the same predicament and volunteer organizations such as Days End Farm Horse Rescue come to the, well, rescue. It was a great cause we were more than happy to support.
After visiting with all of the horses on the mend, we headed back home – just a short drive away – and I couldn’t help but take advantage of another colorful and local backdrop for the Armada.
The Armada made me a little crazy
The Springfield Hospital Center is an abandoned psychiatric hospital just a few miles from my home. It’s not as glamorous as the sights I see on my press trips but I love the architecture of these buildings. Just don’t call me crazy.
Having a vehicle like the Armada for the week makes focusing on the luxury and driving very easy. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s photogenic.
Utility and Luxury: An SUV can have both
But when a large vehicle arrives in your driveway, you don’t just focus on luxury. You focus on the utility of it.
Yes, I run errands with my cars as well as visit horse country. I went to Home Depot. I went grocery shopping. But the biggest surprise was when I purchased a piece of furniture from a nearby friend. It’s a big, large, heavy armoire that I thought would easily fit into the back of the Armada. Until we went to pick it up from the friend and I thought there’s no way that’s getting in this vehicle.
Luckily, my husband used to configure and load cargo planes and he knew he could make it fit.
Overall Thoughts on the 2017 Nissan Armada
If you’re looking for a big, capable SUV with all the bells and whistles, the 2017 Nissan Armada is definitely worth putting on your list. In fact, being “big” was the first thing that most people commented on (friends, neighbors, the guy at the Chick-fil-A drive thru). It did take me quite a few days to get used to the size but with the 360 degree camera, I felt confident that I was going to hit anything I wasn’t supposed to.
The 2017 Nissan Armada has a boxy design, which I happen to love, but it’s not for everyone. Once upon a time, it felt like the Nissan Titan (their pickup truck) with an enclosure on the back. Today, the Armada stands on its own. And while a $60k price tag isn’t considered a “bargain,” it’s at least $10k less than others that I’ve driven in this class and it offers offers luxury, power, and utility.
Looking for more insight on both the interior and exterior? Don’t worry. That feature story on the Armada (and not a week in my life) is all right here in a neat, tidy video.
Is there something I forgot? Something you have a question about? Ask me and I promise you’ll get my honest answer.
Wow that’s a gorgeous car! I like the boxy look too. Just wish it was a little more in our price range 🙁 Maybe some day
Keep in mind that this is the FULLY LOADED version. The entry level Armada starts around $44k. Still not cheap but compared to other large SUVs out there, it’s a great price!