Used Nissan Armada 2012 Automatic

With 317 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, the 5.6-liter V-8 engine in the Armada has a visceral rumble, a growl you'd normally associate with a muscle car. It's a torque monster, and it teams up well with a five-speed automatic for smooth, quick takeoffs, even when fully laden. It's no longer the most powerful vehicle of its kind, and other SUVs have upped the ante to six-speed automatics, but the Armada's still impressive in acceleration, in its impressive passing ability (thanks to quick, responsive downshifting), and in its towing capacity of 9,100 pounds. It's capable, Nissan says, of a 0-60 mph run of about seven seconds. It has strong brakes, but the Armada's handling and its in-town maneuverability are not its strong points.

Quick changes in direction will make you well aware of its mammoth size and heft. Ride quality in the Armada is firm but smooth, soaking up most major bumps, but it isn't the most refined experience. Three different Armada trim levels are offered: SV, SL, and Platinum. Each can be had with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Armada has a limited list of options, compared to the Tahoe and Expedition. At the top of the line, the Platinum gets heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a moonroof, power rear liftgate, DVD entertainment, and a nav system with real-time traffic capability and hard-drive space for music storage.