Every now and then, a car comes around that makes you go, huh? The 2026 Nissan Armada Nismo is exactly that kind of car. Sure, there are precedents for transforming a body-on-frame workhorse into a performance SUV of a sort, most obviously the Dodge Durango SRT variants. The Armada Nismo already exists in other markets, so Nissan says it's easy to add it to the U.S. lineup. But, sadly, the reality is not a well-resolved performance derivative—rather, what is principally a regular Armada with zany styling.
2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
The Lowdown
The Nismo's design is its standout feature, but Nissan has made the effort to add a dash of performance alongside it. Output from the Armada's twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine is up by 35 hp, bringing totals to 460 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission has a sportier tune, and the four-wheel-drive system is business as usual. Its showy bodywork might make the Nismo look lower than a regular Armada, but it's not. Instead, the air suspension calibration is mildly revised to take advantage of the significantly lighter and forged 22-inch wheels wrapped in Nismo-specific all-season tires. Nissan doesn't quote any tangible performance improvements, which is just as well considering the 6102-pound Armada hardly has a sporty bone in its body.
- Vehicle tested: 2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
- Base Price: $81,720
- Price as tested: $83,170
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
How Does It Drive?
2026 nissan armada nismo
A Dodge Durango Hellcat or Cadillac Escalade-V the Armada Nismo is not. If Nissan wanted to make a proper three-row performance SUV, it would have tried to copy those successful efforts. Truly, all it needs is a zinger of a powertrain that makes an absurd amount of power, fuel economy be damned. Instead, once you get past the Nismo's gonzo styling, what you're left with is an extremely normal family SUV.
Nissan sent me to the high-speed, winding road leading out to the Valley of Fire in Nevada to suss out the Nismo. With open desert all around, I cracked the throttle wide open and quickly learn the extra 35 hp from this engine is all at the top end. You'd need to have recently driven a standard Armada to discern any difference in thrust—my butt dyno told me it gets to 60 mph in around six seconds. That's plenty quick for an SUV its size but nothing to be excited about in a Nismo. The revised exhaust didn't sound like much of anything from the outside. Nissan says the Nismo's system is unique from the catalytic converter on back, but what you're really hearing in the cabin is a new synthetic soundtrack reminiscent of the Z's exhaust. It's a pleasant noise, never loud or overwhelming, but ever-present when you’re on the throttle.
2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
The Nismo ran out of thrust quickly above 60 mph. And then the corners started coming. I was reminded straight away that Nissan has made zero modifications to the Armada's brakes to improve performance, with the small rotors and red-painted calipers woefully insufficient for any kind of enthusiastic driving. Only a few hard applications in, the pads were stinking and the pedal had gone soft. Maybe it is cost-cutting, or maybe Nissan just assumes nobody is going to drive this Nismo like a Nismo, but this heavyweight SUV was begging for more braking endurance.
Beyond the lack of brakes, I was mildly impressed with the regular Armada's dynamic abilities the first time I drove the redesigned model. The Nismo takes things a real step further. The revised steering rack still behaved like a truck's, with too much on-center wiggle, yet it weighted up nicely once the Armada had actually gotten into a corner. The Nismo's air suspension isn't much, if any, stiffer than that of a regular Armada's. In fact, Nissan claims the tweaks help ride comfort more than anything on account of the significantly lighter wheels. So long as the curves were gentle, the Armada Nismo stayed in its stable and agreeable zone. Trying to find the limits of adhesion on a more severe corner caused the overly active stability-control system to step in before the tires even began to protest.
2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
Wheeling the Armada Nismo hard is more chore than it is fun. Sure, it is a little bit better in certain areas, but this beast is no performance car. On the plus side, it retains all the qualities that make the regular Armada a pleasant daily driver. Road noise is minimal, ride quality is great for a body-on-frame truck, and the powertrain is smooth and effortless in everyday driving. It can also tow up to 8500 pounds, so maybe a hard-core Nissan enthusiast can use it to haul their modified GT-R or Z around.
What's It Like to Live With?
2026 nissan armada nismo
A black and red interior is a Nismo tradition, and the Armada delivers on that. Nissan has even added extra bolstering that helps when tossing the Armada left to right. The aluminum pedals, red center strip on the steering wheel, Nismo-specific digital gauge cluster, and other red accents do a lot to match the exterior's boisterous look.
Thankfully, all of the above doesn't come at the cost of functionality, though I was disappointed to see you can't spec seat ventilation with these unique chairs. And in case you were worried Nissan wouldn't keep the theme going, don't fret, because every seat (even the third row) is adorned with red inserts. The second row is captain's chairs, which offer plenty of space, with easy fold-forward action to make it easy to scamper into the third row. The way back is big enough for adults, just not super-tall ones on account of the high floor height.
2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
A pair of large screens dominates the dash, these complemented by piano-black trim slathered across the center stack and steering wheel. Said trim is a disappointment, but at least Nissan is still a believer in buttons and switches for the wide array of controls you'll find throughout the interior. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and a dizzying number of drive modes can be selected via the scroll wheel on the dash. Most of the off-road ones can be easily ignored with the Nismo. That said, maximum ground clearance is only hurt by 0.7 inch compared to the much more off-road oriented PRO-4X model. Approach, departure, and breakover angles are all predictably nerfed by the ultra-aggressive bodywork.
Should I Buy One?
2026 Nissan Armada Nismo
Are you easily amused? Do you want to own one of the silliest cars Nissan has ever sold in the United States? Maybe you just want a ridiculous-looking three-row but don't care about performance at all. The Armada Nismo is one niche buy, no matter which way you spin it, with looks that stand out from the crowd but also polarizing enough likely to turn most folks away.
The Nismo's price is at least in the same realm as other Armada trims and not a wild outlier like the Durango Hellcat or Escalade-V. No, it's not as luxurious as the Armada Platinum Reserve, but it only starts $1980 higher and replaces those luxuries with go-fast bits. Granted, the go-fast abilities of the car are dubious at best, but it's the look that counts here. Its gaudy appearance (in case you were wondering, it features 18 Nismo badges in total) is sure to attract a lot of attention too, so if you're hoping to answer a bunch of "what the hell is that?" questions, add the Armada Nismo to your wish list.
Highlights and Lowlights
We Love:
- The looks are so over the top that the whole package verges on charming.
- That pumped-in audio genuinely sounds good.
- Good ride despite being the "performance" version.
We Don't:
- The brakes are not up to the job.
- Nissan could've gone a lot further with handling and power.
- Doesn't feel worthy of a NISMO badge, let alone 18 of them.
Favorite Detail:
It has to be those red seats. NISMO doesn't go full red like the Honda Civic Type R, but I just adore how silly this color scheme is in a normal family car. With the red seatbelts to match, these big, comfy thrones are the perfect invitation into such an outlandish SUV.
2026 nissan armada nismo