Thank you all for the great questions! This is exactly the kind of discussion I was hoping for. Here are the answers to everything you all brought up:
Congrats on the pickup! That NISMO trim is seriously eye catching and I'm glad to hear the performance upgrades are noticeable. I've always been intrigued by the idea of a 'sporty' body on frame SUV. Since you're coming from an Escalade, my main question is about the day-to-day ride quality. The Caddy is known for being cushy and comfortable, and while you mention the NISMO is more agile, I'm worried it might be too stiff for regular family driving.
Could you elaborate on how the NISMO tuned adaptive air suspension handles rougher roads and city potholes compared to your old Escalade? Is it a "firm but comfortable" kind of ride, or do you find yourself wishing for a little more isolation from the road? Also, on the topic of premium touches, I saw reviews mentioning a special Klipsch sound system. How does that compare to the audio system you had in the Escalade? I assume the Escalade had a Bose or similar high-end system, so I'm curious if the Klipsch holds its own or if you find the NISMO focusing more on performance than luxury comfort in those smaller details.
That’s a completely fair concern about the ride quality coming from a plush Escalade. It was my biggest concern too. Thankfully, the NISMO tuned Adaptive Electronic Air Suspension is honestly the star of the show here. It's definitely firm, but it is not harsh in the slightest. Where the 2016 Escalade felt like a boat floating over bumps, the Armada NISMO feels composed and tied down. You feel the road, which is what gives it that "agile" feeling I mentioned, but the suspension soaks up city potholes and pavement imperfections without the crashing or jarring feeling you’d expect from low profile 22 inch wheels. On the highway, it's a wonderfully compliant, comfortable cruiser, especially in the standard Drive Mode. The Sport Mode tightens it up noticeably for twisty roads, but I wouldn't use it for a daily commute. It achieves a truly impressive balance between performance and comfort for a body-on-frame SUV.
Regarding the sound system, I was also unfamiliar with the Klipsch 12-speaker Premium Audio system. I had the Bose in my Escalade, and I have to say, the Klipsch system is significantly better in my opinion. The clarity, especially in the highs and mids, is phenomenal, and the bass is punchy without being muddy. Where the Bose was powerful, the Klipsch feels more refined and detailed. It definitely holds its own against any high end audio system I've experienced in a luxury SUV. I was genuinely surprised by the quality, which definitely helps elevate the premium feel of the cabin.
Seriously cool ride, man. I'm one of those people who can't stop thinking about the practical side of things, especially with performance vehicles. You mentioned the 460 hp twin-turbo V6, which sounds fantastic, but let's talk real world fuel economy. Nissan says you need premium fuel for the full horsepower, which is expected for a NISMO, but what are you actually seeing in terms of MPG right now?
I know you just got it, so it's early, but are you seeing anything close to the advertised figures, or is that spirited driving already sinking the numbers? And this is a niche question, but I'm curious about the engine sound - both inside and out. Did the NISMO exhaust and the Active Sound Enhancement system make it sound significantly different than a standard Armada's V6, and is the Active Sound Enhancement something you can turn off completely if you just want a quieter cruise on the highway? Big SUVs with sporty sound are a fun concept, but sometimes you just want silence on a long drive.
You hit the nail on the head, Real world fuel economy is the ugly truth of a 460 hp full-size SUV. The official EPA combined rating is 18 MPG (16 City / 20 Highway), and in the first tank, I've been seeing an average of about 16.5 MPG. I'll admit I’ve been driving it with a bit of a heavy foot because the acceleration is addictive, so I think an 18 MPG average is absolutely achievable on longer, less aggressive trips. It does require premium fuel for the full performance, so yes, the cost at the pump is higher than my older Caddy was, even though the MPG is a bit better on paper. It’s the price of performance in this segment, unfortunately.
As for the engine sound, the NISMO exhaust and Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) are noticeable. When you put your foot down, the V6 has a much deeper, throatier growl than a standard V6. It sounds purposeful and sporty, definitely matching the NISMO aesthetic. The good news is that the ASE is not overly intrusive during normal cruising. On the highway in the standard drive mode, the cabin is surprisingly quiet due to the good sound deadening and acoustic glass. I haven't found a straightforward button to disable the ASE within the infotainment settings, but if you want complete silence, others have found ways to disable the system by unplugging a connection to the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) module, although I haven't tried it myself. For me, the quiet nature on the highway is enough, and I enjoy the sound when accelerating.
Welcome to the club of early adopters! That NISMO is definitely a statement. Since you had a 2016 Escalade, which was a top-tier luxury vehicle for its time, I'm really interested in the technology and utility aspects. The 2016 Caddy had its CUE system which was… notorious. How is the user experience with the new Nissan infotainment system, the big screens, and the Google Built-in features? Is it snappy and intuitive, or do you still find yourself missing physical buttons for common climate or audio controls?
Also, as a large SUV owner, storage and practicality are key. You mentioned moving from an Escalade ESV to the standard length Armada. Did you notice a huge difference in cargo space, especially behind the third row? Lastly, I'm super curious about your dealer experience. Given how few of these NISMOs are probably being built initially, was there a significant dealer markup (ADM), or were you able to negotiate close to MSRP? The purchasing saga for these low-volume performance trims is always a good story.
The technology upgrade from my 2016 Escalade’s CUE system is monumental! The new Nissan system, especially with the large 14.3-inch touchscreen and Google Built in, is incredibly snappy. It's fast, the graphics are crisp, and the integration of Google Maps is seamless. Far superior to my old setup. Critically, Nissan deserves massive credit for retaining tactile, physical buttons for the climate control and for the volume/tuning knobs. This means you don't have to dive into a touchscreen menu just to change the fan speed or radio station, which makes the whole experience much safer and less distracting. It's a fantastic blend of modern screens and common sense controls.
Regarding cargo, you are correct: I moved from an Escalade ESV (the long wheelbase version) to the standard length Armada NISMO, so I did lose some space. The Armada’s cargo space behind the third row is tighter than the ESV's was, but it’s still highly useable for groceries or a couple of large suitcases. The power folding third row is a lifesaver, and once those seats are down, the cargo area is cavernous and easily swallowed up everything I needed for a weekend trip. Overall, it's a minor trade-off for the better driving dynamics.
Finally, the dealer experience. Yes, initial interest was high. My local dealer had only received an allocation for two NISMO models for the launch. I had to place an order far in advance, and I did face a small dealer markup (ADM) initially. However, I was able to negotiate with them, referencing other Nissan performance model prices, and eventually got the ADM down to a very reasonable premium over the MSRP, which I felt was fair for such a rare, brand-new model. It wasn't MSRP, but it was certainly better than the crazy markups I've heard about on other limited run performance vehicles.
Any other quick questions about specific features? I’ve got all the manuals out!
