The Armada is one of Nissan’s largest vehicles, boasting a third-row, as well as plenty of cargo space and standard features; at a competitive starting price. But does the big Armada carry the same dependability that Nissan’s other flagship vehicles do? Will the newest 2020 Nissan Armada be a reliable choice for large SUV buyers?

The 2020 Nissan Armada: is it reliable?

The Armada is back for the 2020 model year and according to U.S. News, it’s certainly not bad, but it’s not great either. The 2020 Armada receives a decent overall score of 7.1 (out of 10) by U.S. News Experts. But, when compared to others in its class, the Armada’s cool score pushes toward the bottom of the rankings.

It earns average scores in most categories but is helped slightly by its predicted reliability score. The 2020 Nissan Armada receives a predicted reliability rating of 3.5 (out of five), based on scores given by J.D. Power. A score of 3.5 is slightly above the average predicted reliability of vehicles in the same segment.

Even RepairPal gives the Armada an above-average reliability rating of 3.5 (out of five), with the average full-size SUV receiving a score of 3.0. This rating puts it as RepairPal’s second-most-reliable of 14 full-size SUVs, which is helped in part by its impressive cost of ownership.

RepairPal’s findings show that the Nissan Armada comes with a lower-than-average cost of ownership, which stands at an average of $784 per year for full-size SUVs. The Nissan Armada’s estimated annual cost is $550. The Armada’s reliability helps cost owners less over-time.

But what exactly does the 2020 Nissan Armada offer that lends to this good reliability score?

Stand-out features of the Nissan Armada

Nissan is known for delivering reliable, safe, and tech-forward vehicles, no matter its size. The Armada’s powertrain is particularly known for its mightiness, even among its toughest rivals.

According to Car and Driver, the 2020 Nissan Armada comes with a sole engine choice, but the powerful V-8 is “civilized” and “handles surprisingly well.” Overall, the Armada delivers a smooth, consistent ride, which is especially impressive for its spacious, three-row size. 

It also has a “tranquil cabin environment” with “upscale styling” that is unsurprising with the Nissan brand. Alongside consistent build quality, a 13-speaker audio system, and a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen, is Nissan’s well-known suite of safety tech that helps keep the Armada and its occupants safe.

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and rear parking sensors. 

Is there anything owners should worry about?

There are currently no active recalls on the 2020 Nissan Armada, but with a vehicle so new, this is not surprising. Experts can use the vehicle’s past, however, to find common problems and predict how reliable a new vehicle may be. The Armada seems to share in the brand’s reputation for overall reliable vehicles, with complaints few and far between since it first became available in 2004.

Out of all the Nissan Armada model years represented (2004-2020) on CarComplaints.com, not one model year has a substantial amount of complaints from owners. In fact, there are no more than 12 complaints for any given model year within the last decade. This means that either Nissan isn’t selling many Armadas or it’s merely performed well for its owners.

Between minimal complaints and decent ratings, it’s safe to say the Nissan Armada is a good SUV. Where the 2020 Armada struggles the most is merely in comparison to its rivals, which may offer more features, space, fuel-efficiency, etc., at a better price. But owners of the new 2020 Nissan Armada will certainly enjoy an SUV that delivers dependability.