--- title: "Nissan makes important changes to 2021 Armada" url: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/" publisher: "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" content_signal: "search=yes, ai-input=yes, ai-train=no" author: "Jill Ciminillo" published: "2020-12-08T17:00:55+00:00" modified: "2026-08-19T15:40:26+00:00" image: "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Nissan-Armada-13.jpg" --- # Nissan makes important changes to 2021 Armada By Jill Ciminillo Published: 2020-12-08T17:00:55+00:00 Updated: 2026-08-19T15:40:26+00:00 ![Featured image]() Whenever anyone asks me what full-size SUVs I’d recommend, the Nissan Armada tops my list for seat comfort as well as the smooth ride and handling. Now, the 2021 Armada gets that much more attractive. In addition to exterior and interior design freshening (think grille, bumpers, center stack), here are the big changes of note. ### **New Nissan logo** Earlier this year, Nissan revealed a new corporate logo, or “calling card.” This new logo’s purpose is to help Nissan usher in a new chapter – while staying connected to its rich heritage. The Armada will be the first vehicle in the Nissan lineup to sport this new badging. ![2021 Armada]() The 2021 Nissan Armada is the first vehicle in Nissan’s lineup to get the new logo. (Image courtesy of Nissan North America) ### **More horsepower** Though the Armada retains the 5.6-liter Endurance V-8 engine, it manages to eke out 10 more horsepower for 2021. So, the 2021 Armada will deliver 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which puts it on the same level as its more expensive brother, [the Infiniti QX80](). It will retain the 8,500-pound max towing rating. One caveat: [According to Wards Auto](), that 400 horsepower is only achieved if you use premium fuel, which we tend to think is [a bit misleading](). If you use regular fuel, output returns to 390 horsepower. ### **Wireless stuff** New for 2021, Armada cuts the cord on charging and Apple CarPlay. Both of these features will now be wireless – standard. The press release makes no mention of Android Auto, so we assume this will still need to be wired in to connect. ![2021 Armada]() The 2021 Nissan Armada features a redesigned, highly functional front center console that can be opened/closed from the front and rear. A removable tray has been added to hold small items, while a deeper well is available for larger ones. (Photo courtesy of Nissan North America) ### **Bigger screenage** And the screen wars continue. Each automaker is trying to outdo the other with larger and larger infotainment screens, and anything below 12 inches seems outdated at this point. Armada will get a “best-in-class” (per Nissan) 12.3-inch horizontal screen that pops up over the center stack. Navigation and around-view monitor screens appear really nice with this new setup. From the photos, it looks like the integration is more seamless than, say, [the Ford Explorer](), but we’ll be curious to check this out in person to see if it looks well designed or tacked on. ### **The bottom line on the 2021 Armada** I have to admit I’ve been impressed with Nissan’s product onslaught in the past year. From refreshed to next-gen, its vehicles are offering more standard safety and more cool tech than we’ve seen on some other full-size SUVs (cough, [GMC Yukon]()). Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the 2020 Armada starts at $48,895, including destination, so we expect the 2021 model to stay under $50K. This new Armada should hit dealers in January of 2021. We’ll be curious to see – and drive – the 2021 Armada. But on paper, it looks like another winner from Nissan. [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() [2021 Armada]() 2021 Nissan Armada (Image courtesy of Nissan North America) **Related posts:** > [2020 Infiniti QX80: A plush and sophisticated full-size SUV]() > [Misleading! These trucks recommend (or require!) premium fuel]() > [2021 Chevy Tahoe: Controversial styling, gearshift bring on the comments]() ## Related vehicle coverage - [2021 Nissan Armada]() ## Structured page information ~~~json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#article", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/" }, "author": { "name": "Jill Ciminillo", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/17a307b2bd8654a0efc57d38f2e79df8" }, "headline": "Nissan makes important changes to 2021 Armada", "datePublished": "2020-12-08T17:00:55+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:40:26+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/" }, "wordCount": 540, "commentCount": 0, "publisher": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#organization" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Nissan-Armada-13.jpg", "keywords": [ "2021 Armada", "2021 Nissan Armada", "full-size SUV", "nissan armada" ], "articleSection": [ "News" ], "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": [ { "@type": "CommentAction", "name": "Comment", "target": [ "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#respond" ] } ] }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/", "name": "Nissan makes important changes to 2021 Armada", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#website" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#primaryimage" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#primaryimage" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Nissan-Armada-13.jpg", "datePublished": "2020-12-08T17:00:55+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-08-19T15:40:26+00:00", "description": "Nissan gives the 2021 Armada a significant refresh, including more technology and more horsepower as well as some design tweaks.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#breadcrumb" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "potentialAction": [ { "@type": "ReadAction", "target": [ "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/" ] } ] }, { "@type": "ImageObject", "inLanguage": "en-US", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#primaryimage", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Nissan-Armada-13.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/2021-Nissan-Armada-13.jpg", "width": 2048, "height": 1366, "caption": "2021 Nissan Armada" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/2020/12/nissan-makes-important-changes-to-2021-armada/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nissan makes important changes to 2021 Armada" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#website", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/", "name": "Pickup Truck +SUV Talk", "description": "Latest News, Reviews and Stories", "publisher": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#organization" }, "potentialAction": [ { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/?s={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": { "@type": "PropertyValueSpecification", "valueRequired": true, "valueName": "search_term_string" } } ], "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#organization", "name": "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "inLanguage": "en-US", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/logo/image/", "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/PUTC-Only-Shield.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/PUTC-Only-Shield.jpg", "width": 613, "height": 379, "caption": "Pickup Truck + SUV Talk" }, "image": { "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/logo/image/" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.facebook.com/pickuptrucktalk/", "https://x.com/PickupTruckTalk", "https://instagram.com/PickupTruckTalk", "https://www.pinterest.com/PickupTruckTalk/", "https://www.youtube.com/pickuptrucktalk" ] }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/#/schema/person/17a307b2bd8654a0efc57d38f2e79df8", "name": "Jill Ciminillo", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "inLanguage": "en-US", "@id": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f87b10595f005ae52b8598b3d0f279f342bca284aef7f845272864395212c4e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g", "url": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f87b10595f005ae52b8598b3d0f279f342bca284aef7f845272864395212c4e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g", "contentUrl": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f87b10595f005ae52b8598b3d0f279f342bca284aef7f845272864395212c4e9?s=96&d=mm&r=g", "caption": "Jill Ciminillo" }, "description": "Jill Ciminillo is a Chicago-based automotive writer, influencer, TikTok Creator, YouTube personality and podcast host, with her articles and videos appearing in outlets throughout the U.S. Additionally, she co-hosts a weekly radio show on car stuff via Talk Zone. Previously, Jill has been the automotive editor for the Chicago Sun-Times News Group as well as Sinclair Broadcast Group. She is also a past president for the Midwest Automotive Media Association and has the distinction of being the first female president for that organization. Jill is also currently a juror for the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) and Women's World Car of the Year (WWCOTY).", "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/jillciminillo/", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillciminillo/", "https://x.com/https://twitter.com/jillciminillo", "https://www.youtube.com/jillciminillo" ], "url": "https://pickuptrucktalk.com/author/jillc/" } ] } ] ~~~