The 2018 Nissan Armada ranked #6 in Large SUVs. Currently the Nissan Armada has a score of 7.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 19 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Strong V8 engine Good towing capacity Expansive second-row seats Well-built cabin
Cons Outdated infotainment system Below-average cargo space Below-average fuel economy Smaller front seats than rivals
Instead of imitating the boxy and costly stalwarts of this popular segment, the Armada breaks the mold—sort of. After all, it’s still a big-bodied, fuel-thirsty family dreadnought. But the three-row Armada has a serene, expensive interior and an upscale exterior that enable it to undermine high-rent rivals when it comes to price.
Pros Rich, comfortable, and quiet interior; useful power and towing capacity; looks expensive.
Cons Old-school fuel economy, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, imprecise steering.
Nissan redesigned the Armada last year, so the 2018 model carries over with only minor changes. NissanConnect telematics services, an 8-inch touchscreen display, HD radio, hands-free text messaging, and additional USB charging ports now come standard on all trims. A rearview mirror that can stream a constant video feed from the rear camera is also new this year
PROS High-quality interior is appealing Smooth V8 engine delivers ample power for towing and hauling Rides more comfortably, less trucklike, than some rival SUVs
CONS Third-row seating isn't as spacious as some rivals Infotainment system is dated No getting around the V8's poor fuel economy
The 2018 Buick Enclave hones its appeal with beautiful style, much-improved handling, and no-nonsense technology.
Pros Expressive sheet metal Spare and elegant cockpit Good third-row space Much-improved handling Still rides smoothly
Cons Base seats are cloth All-wheel drive is part-time Fuel economy still just average Best safety features not pervasive Pricey Avenir trim level is more a feature-unlock code
The Avenir name is something new entirely. It's a new sub-brand that Buick is introducing on the Enclave that adds another layer of luxury onto the standard model. It will sit above the Premium model that was previously the most feature-rich trim level offered on the Enclave. Standard features on the Enclave Avenir include a unique mesh grille, 20-inch wheels and exclusive interior colors and materials. The individual features aren't striking on their own, but taken together they do make this Enclave look a step above anything offered on its predecessor. Apart from the Avenir upgrades, the Enclave follows much the same formula as the previous model. It's a spacious three-row crossover with a standard V6 and a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers 302 horsepower to either the front wheels or all four wheels on all-wheel-drive models. Towing capacity is up to 5,000 pounds and we expect overall mileage to improve slightly.
The fully redesigned 2018 version is hugely important as the brand’s grandest offering.Buick’s latest three-row ute succeeds in being a marked improvement over its predecessor in every meaningful way.
Pros Shapely design, tons of usable space, refined road manners, lots of available features.
Cons Prices climb quickly with options, a tight third row for three, some cheap bits still visible.
