Nissan, like many other Japanese automakers, is known for making some great cars. However, unlike some of its Japanese competitors, Nissan has some big trucks and SUVs that it offers to customers, such as the Nissan Titan. But, when it comes to big SUVs, the Nissan Armada is one SUV from Nissan that gets a terrible fuel economy.

The Nissan Armada’s poor fuel economy

According to Consumer Reports, the SUV with the worst fuel economy in the mid and large SUV segment is the Nissan Armada. Consumer Reports says that the Armada gets about 10 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway for a combined 14 MPG. This gave it a terrible 1 out of 5 rating for fuel economy. 

To give some perspective on how terrible this fuel economy is, Consumer Reports estimates that the average annual fuel costs for the Armada should be about $2,040. Compared to more fuel-efficient SUVs, that’s a massive amount of money per year that Armada owners will have to spend on just fuel. 

To be fair to the Armada though, it gets a terrible fuel economy in part due to how large of an SUV it is. It has three rows of seats and it can seat up to seven or eight people. Its massive frame is powered by an equally massive 5.6-liter V8 engine that generates about 390-hp. 

Still an okay SUV, though

Despite this terrible fuel economy, Consumer Reports actually did like other aspects of the Nissan Armada. That powerful V8, while it’s very fuel inefficient, does live up to its promise of power. Consumer Reports says that the Armada can tow up to 8,500 lb of stuff, which makes it comparable to what some pickup trucks can tow. 

In addition to that, the Armada, while Consumer Reports doesn’t think that it handles well, is still a very spacious and comfortable SUV. In particular, Consumer Reports praised the premium looking and feeling interior that also provides its passengers with a very quiet ride. 

That said, while the interior of the Armada looks and feels good to sit in, Consumer Reports also says that its amenities are a bit outdated. This is particularly true for its infotainment system, which Consumer Reports says was “designed before infotainment was really a thing.” However, the infotainment system of the Armada does come with a navigation system as well as plenty of physical controls. 

Overall, the Armada wasn’t the best big SUV that Consumer Reports tested, but it wasn’t the worst one either. Consumer Reports gave the Armada a 63 out of 100, placing it in the middle of the pack at sixth place in its segment. 

More fuel-efficient options

If spacious and fuel-efficient SUVs are what you’re looking for, then Consumer Reports has several recommendations. The first is the Subaru Ascent, which is an SUV with third-row seating. The Ascent gets a great fuel economy of 21 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway for a combined 24 MPG. While the Ascent is smaller than the Armada is, the Ascent is by no means a small SUV.

Another option is the Hyundai Palisade. Like the Ascent, the Palisade is a bit smaller than the Armada is, but it’s better than or equal to the Armada in most areas, especially fuel economy. The Palisade gets 19 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway for a combined 21 MPG.

Lastly, and in first place in its segment is the Kia Telluride. Like the Ascent and the Palisade, the Telluride is a smaller, but well-reviewed SUV that can seat up to eight people while having a great fuel economy. The Telluride, in particular, gets 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway for a combined 23 MPG.