2018 NISSAN ARMADA...ONE MAN'S OPINION

     The Nissan Armada is a full-size V8 SUV which up until 2015 had been built in the U.S. on the Titan pickup chassis. Now that the new Titan has arrived, Nissan has switched direction for the Armada. Skipping the 2016 model year, the big SUV returned in 2017 still built on a truck chassis, but now it comes from the Japanese built Patrol that’s sold in various global markets.

     The Reserve is a $3000 package tacked on to the already loaded up Platinum trim. The dark chrome 20” wheels are specific to the Reserve and the outside bright trim gets a matching look. Inside are black/brown premium leather seats with contrast stitching, open-pore woodtone dash and door panel trim, and Platinum Reserve badging. Pricing is in line with what other non-luxury-brand manufacturers are asking for the plushest versions of their large SUVs.

     The 390 hp 5.6L V8 and 7-speed Automatic provide strong acceleration and can tow up to 8500 pounds when equipped with the optional towing package. With great power comes great responsibility however, and Armada owners will be responsible for buying a lot of gas. Fuel economy for the 4WD version rates 13 city and 18 highway. I averaged 16 overall during my usage. Intelligent 4WD delivers power to all wheels upon start up and then shifts to rear drive once the truck is up to speed. 

     Nissan also slaps the “Intelligent” label on it's surround-view monitor, cruise control, and rearview mirror. The latter being a new feature that switches from a traditional mirror to an LCD-monitor camera view. Other standard tech and convenience features include automatic LED headlights, fog lights, front and rear parking sonar, keyless entry, remote start, heated power-folding mirrors, power liftgate, roof rails, power moonroof, and 5 USB ports. Electronic safety features consist of lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert/intervention, and blind-spot warning/intervention.

     The Platinum comes standard with Family Entertainment that includes 2 color screens built into the front-seat headrests, 2 wireless headphones, and HDMI input. Infotainment comes in the form of a 13-speaker HD Bose audio, satellite radio, and NissanConnect navigation and remote services. Comfort is addressed through full-length running boards, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air-conditioning controls, a 10-way power driver seat with memory, an 8-way power passenger seat, heated and cooled front seats, heated 2nd-row seats, and heated leather steering wheel. The cargo area behind the third row is limited just like it’s competitors. The 2nd-row seats fold and flip forward and the 3rd-row seats power up/down—although VERY slowly—for better load capacity.

TEST VEHICLE =                   2018 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve
                                           Hermosa Blue
                                           Black/Brown Leather Seats
                                           390 hp 5.6L V8
                                           7-speed Automatic

BASE PRICE =                        Armada SV 2WD             $47,500 including destination
PRICE AS TESTED =               Armada Platinum 4WD    $66,800 fully loaded

MPG =                                  13 City
                                            19 Hwy

COMPETITION =                    Ford Expedition.......$53,000 to $83,500 loaded up
                                            Chevrolet Tahoe......$49,000 to $74,500 loaded up
                                            Toyota Sequoia........$49,500 to $68,500 loaded up

COLORS =                              Pearl White
                                             Forged Copper
                                             Mocha Almond
                                             Hermosa Blue
                                             Brilliant Silver
                                             Gun
                                             Super Black

2018 NISSAN LEAF.....ONE MAN'S OPINION

     The 2nd generation 2018 Nissan LEAF is the 5th best-selling all-electric vehicle in the U.S. and enters the 2018 electric vehicle market with more driving range, more horsepower, and new e-Pedal and ProPILOT Assist systems. This redesigned compact hatchback has aggressive new styling all around as well as new technology features, but with lower sticker prices. The electric motor is rated at 147 horsepower which is a considerable improvement from the previous models 107. The LEAF's EPA-rated 151-mile driving range pales in comparison to the 238-mile range on the Chevrolet Bolt. But then again it's also around $5,600 cheaper than the Bolt. So it begs the question; Is another 80-90 miles of driving range worth 5 grand to you?  It takes about 35 hours to fully recharge the battery with a 120-volt “Level 1” hookup, and about 7.5 hours when plugged into a 240-volt “Level 2” feed. The “e-Pedal” feature dials in aggressive regenerative-braking which enables the driver to be able to start, accelerate, decelerate, or even stop depending on how the accelerator pedal is used. When the pedal is released all the way, regenerative and friction brakes are applied automatically. If the driver times things right, the car will come to a complete stop without need of the brake pedal. Then the LEAF holds its position until the accelerator is pressed again. The holding action works on slopes too. Included within the optional Technology Package is a faint whiff of autonomous driving known as ProPILOT Assist. This feature automatically maintains speed and distance from a car ahead and can even make a full stop when necessary. It will also keep the car neatly centered in its lane so long as the driver maintains a minimal grip on the wheel. What ProPILOT Assist does is absolutely clear. Nissan calls it a “driving assistance technology” but it has considerable limits. 

     The LEAF has lively overall throttle response, nimble handling, an almost-plush interior, and upgraded technology. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto is included in the SV and SL; so is NissanConnect telematics which has the ability to connect to the vehicle via a smartphone to remotely check battery charge level, lock or unlock the doors, turn on the heat, and locate the car in a crowded lot. LEAF comes in 3 flavors; S ($31,000), SV ($33,500), and SL ($37,000).

I Like the LEAF Because...

     It's a peppy little commuter car that's good for the planet (YES I do care about that!). Plus...it finally doesn't look like a frog, it has a somewhat kickass BOSE sound system, and enough technology features to be able to hold its own amongst it's peers.

One Down Side...

     Choosing an all-electric vehicle means a total lifestyle change. If you are the type of person who hates change...do not ever consider an electric vehicle as your daily transportation.

What's New for 2018

Re-design for the 2018 model year.

TEST VEHICLE =                   2018 Nissan LEAF SL
                                           Scarlet Ember
                                           Black Leather Seats
                                           147 hp Electric Vehicle
                                           1-speed Automatic

BASE PRICE =                        $37,000 including destination fees
PRICE AS TESTED =               $38,500 including options

e-MPG =                                151 miles

COMPETITION =                    Ford Focus EV.............$30,000
                                            Chevrolet Bolt EV........ $37,500
                                            Hyundai IONIQ EV.........$30,500

COLORS =                              Glacier White
                                             Pearl White
                                             Jade Frost
                                             Deep Blue Pearl
                                             Scarlet Ember
                                             Brilliant Silver
                                             Gun
                                             Super Black