2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada
By John Matras
On Sale: Fall 2003
Expected Pricing: $28,500-$35,000
Nissan is introducing a full-size sport-utility vehicle this fall called the Pathfinder Armada. The 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada is big. It's longer than a Ford Expedition, longer than a Toyota Sequoia, and much longer than a Chevy Tahoe.
Don't let the "Pathfinder" part of the name fool you. Nissan's full-size Pathfinder Armada has nothing to do with its mid-size Pathfinder. Pathfinder Armada is two feet longer and more than half a foot wider than Pathfinder. Nissan added the "Pathfinder" part simply because many people have heard of the Pathfinder. We think this is confusing. "Armada" is the key part of the name and we'll use it for shorthand.
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.
Armada is based on Nissan's upcoming full-size pickup called the Titan. Nissan makes no bones about the size of this truck, calling it "a full-size SUV for a full-size life." Nissan's design team emphasized Armada's bulk by duplicating the Titan forward of the A-pillar. Armada has Titan's pontoon fender flares, bulging powerdome hood, and Buck Rogers multifaceted headlamps. It mirrors the Titan's chromed bumper center section, but the brawny grille will be body-colored rather than chrome on some models.
Armada's roofline differs from the Titan's, and not just because it doesn't stop for a pickup bed. The SUV's greenhouse has a definite car-like arch over the doors, tapering slightly before leveling off. Old-timers will remember Rambler station wagons from the Fifties doing the same thing. It's something of an optical illusion with the Armada, however, as the rear section of roof is convex, so that in the center, the roof is the same height for its full length.
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 in place of the Titan's leaf-spring rear suspension designed for heavy pickup-truck loads. Many SUVs use live rear axles, which ride harder than an independent rear suspension like the Armada's. Armada comes standard with 18-inch wheels. Shorter, firmer sidewalls on larger diameter wheels like these typically provide better cornering feel.
Armada and Titan are powered by Nissan's new 5.6-liter double overhead cam 32-valve V8. The exact numbers aren't in yet, but Nissan assures us that the engine will be rated at more than 300 horsepower at about 4900 rpm, with torque in excess of 375 pounds-feet at about 3200 rpm.
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 4x4 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.
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. Don't worry, the kids will love it, and the Armada does come standard with side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats. Side curtain airbags have been proven to provide significant protection in side-impact collisions and rollovers. The second row is contoured for two passengers. Second-row captain's chairs are also available. Regardless, all seating positions have three-point belts for all rows.
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.
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.
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.
The 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 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. After all, Chevrolet hasn't been building the Suburban all these years for nothing. There are boat trailers and horse trailers to be towed and eight-up cargo-on-the-rooftop journeys to be taken. Nissan's entry into this competitive but lucrative market with a full-size SUV is big news.
1-800-239-8810
www.NissanUSA.com
