Bigger is Better, Except When it Comes to Gas-Guzzlers

2010 Nissan Armada Titanium 4

model as tested $45,940

Test Drove 7/14/09 – 7/27/09
reviewed by Courtney Messenbaugh

During my two-week test drive of the 2010 Nissan Armada, I liked almost everything about the full-size SUV. However, I’ll never buy one — not until its gas mileage improves. The Armada’s whoop-de-don’t fuel economy numbers are 12/18 mpg city/highway; they’re underwhelming, to say the least.

With those mileage numbers, I had to fill the Armada’s gas tank a lot, and I ended up paying more than $60 each time I filled it up. Like many large family-haulers, the Armada is a gas-guzzler, and I simply cannot own a car that likes gas as much as the Armada does. With that said, I’ll step off my soapbox long enough to tell you that if gas-guzzling doesn’t keep you up at night, this car is great.

The Armada’s V-8 engine makes for an easy drive. It handled Colorado’s hills without hesitation, and I had no problem passing other cars on the road, even while going up the steepest mountain passes.

After picking up the Armada, I got myself a Costco membership and began my living-large experience. As I pulled the Armada into a parking spot at Costco between a Chevy Tahoe and a Toyota Sequoia, I was certain no one even suspected I was both a big-car and Costco novice. When I came out of Costco with more food than my family could eat in a month, the Armada swallowed it all up with pride. This car holds a lot of stuff! I began to see why big is beautiful to so many people. 

Overall, I give the Armada a thumbs-up; just don’t ask me to buy one.

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