Nissan Transforms the 2025 Armada & Frontier with PRO-4X Package and Twin-Turbo Power for Serious Off-Road Adventure

Nissan’s Armada has carved a nice little niche for itself in the full-size SUV market that is dominated by the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. Other manufacturers that have staked a claim to this popular segment are Toyota with the Sequoia and Jeep with the Grand Wagoneer.

Recently these companies have paid more attention to the adventuring customer with factory off-road packages such as Chevy’s Z71 and Toyota’s TRD Pro.

While Nissan’s Armada has always been known for being durable and capable, it never offered a proper off-road package, despite the previous generation being a close cousin to the world-renowned Nissan Patrol.

PRO-4X

This all changes with the 2025 Nissan Armada redesign, which will be the same vehicle as the global Patrol. Because of this, we finally get to experience the Patrol’s off-road capability in the form of the new PRO-4X trim.

The PRO-4X variant strikes right at the heart of families, and enthusiasts, alike, that need extra off-road capability in a large package. By choosing this trim, the Armada is upgraded with a special high-clearance fascia, unique fender flares, 33-inch Yokohama Geolander all-terrain tires, and finally, a rear locker.

Other additions include Lava Red badging and tow hooks, skid plates, selectable drive modes (Standard, Eco, Sport, Tow, Snow, Sand, Rock, Mud/Rut), hill descent control (HDC,) and the 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor. 

When it comes to off-roading, it’s clear that Nissan has come to play. The adjustable-height, adaptive air suspension lifts the big SUV up off the trail and helps the Armada with achieving a 33.0-degree approach angle, a 25.5-degree breakover angle, a 24.5-degree departure angle, and 9.6-inches of ground clearance.

This compares favorably to the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro which comes in with a 23-degree approach angle, 20-degree departure angles, and 9.1 inches of ground clearance (Toyota doesn’t publish a breakover number for the Sequoia).

Chassis and Drivetrain

The ’25 Armada rides on a new, stiffer body-on-frame platform with independent suspension at all four corners.

The beloved 5.6L normally aspirated DOHC V-8, and its sweet V-8 exhaust note) is sadly gone, but replaced with a twin-turbo VR35DDTT 3.5L V-6 that comes from the same engine family as the GT-R’s VR38DETT, possibly the most flogged twin turbo V-6 in history.

With proven durability, it should perform well in the new Armada and rival the outgoing V-8. 

Backed by a 9-speed automatic transmission, the turbo six delivers 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque (25hp and 103 lb-ft more than outgoing 5.6L V-8) on regular fuel (premium gives you the same 450hp output as its Infiniti QX80 sister). The Armada has an 8,500-pound tow rating.

Exterior

The Armada’s new styling looks modern and rugged, especially with the reworked front fascia on the PRO-4X, while maintaining an air of sophistication.

A bold new grille, with three slots on the leading edge that reference the beloved Nissan Hardbody pickup, is framed with new stacked C-shaped signature LED lights. 

At the rear, a diffused LED light bar ties the LED taillights together and runs the width of the tailgate. The Armada incorporates a tasteful execution of the floating roof design that was pioneered on the GT-R and trendy fender vents are actually functional and could be used as part of a snorkel system.

Unique fender flares are intended to appear more rugged and cover the more aggressive all-terrain tires that are mounted on 20-inch alloy wheels.

Interior

While the outside looks great, the interior is stunning, both in terms of quality and materials. The Armada feels very upscale and everything you interface with is top notch.

The dash and door panels are stitched, soft-touch materials are everywhere, and lots of physical secondary controls mean that your fingertips aren’t slaves to precise placement on the dual 14.3-inch screens when bouncing around the trail. 

Nissan’s hallmark Zero Gravity seats are as good as they come and we can easily see our backsides being coddled on long drives. With seating for seven or eight, depending on the second-row configuration, the increased length of the Armada means plenty of room for people and cargo.

In fact, the second row has 5.7 additional inches of legroom and there is now 24-percent more cargo space behind the third row.

The Armada features a ton of tech that brings it up to the current standard, and ensures it is competitive against its rivals.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and the new camera implementations, such as the Invisible Hood View, make the most of the screen real estate, to aid the driver in ushering the big SUV in tight spaces. Nissan even makes ProPILOT 2.1 available for those interested in hands-free driving.

Our Take

The new Armada is tough and functional, handsome and modern. It makes a compelling case for itself in the competitive fullsize SUV segment and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel in the near future.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, as of publishing, but Nissan promises that despite all the improvements, current Armada owners will not be priced out of upgrading to the new model.

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This article originally appeared in OVR Issue 12. For more informative articles like this, consider subscribing to OVR Magazine in print or digital versions here. You can also find the print edition of OVR at your local newsstand by using our Magazine Finder.