Nissan's largest SUV has just returned from its motorsport makeover with something of a snarl. This is the 2026 Nissan Armada Nismo. It has seven seats, twin turbos, and weighs more than 2.7 tonnes. And yet, Nissan has decided it should go faster, corner harder, and wear red stitching.
Under the bonnet is the familiar 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, but now tuned to make 460bhp and 700Nm. That's up from the standard car's 425 horsepower, and you will absolutely notice that difference when you put your foot down. Acceleration? Think less cheetah and more startled rhino. It's quick enough to startle your passengers but not your physics teacher.
The power is still sent through a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and towing capacity remains an impressive 3,855kg. That's more than enough for your boat, your friend's boat, or a small village's worth of jet skis. Ground clearance is a solid 277mm, which isn't far off what the off-road-focused Pro-4X variant offers.
Nismo has also given it sharper steering and firmer suspension. What that translates to, ideally, is more control around corners and less seasickness on winding roads. The tyres are now high-performance all-seasons, wrapped around massive 22-inch alloys. Handling benefits? Modest. But they do look brilliant.
Aero-wise, Nissan seems to have rummaged through the GT-R parts bin. The front and rear splitters are very 'race weekend in Gurgaon,' and there's a roof spoiler that extends the rear line with as much visual drama as the designers could legally add to a family SUV.
Inside, there's no carbon-fibre bucket seat nonsense. Instead, you get deep red stitching and Nismo touches on the upholstery to remind you you've spent more. And you will. While official prices have yet to be announced, the current top-trim Armada costs approximately ₹68 lakh (around USD 82,000). This one is expected to nudge closer to ₹76 lakh (around USD 92,000), possibly more depending on options and taxes. It's not cheap, but it is niche.
Compared to unibody rivals like the Audi RS Q8, the Armada Nismo won't corner as cleanly. But it will tow more, carry more, and feel like a much larger animal at full gallop. Think of it less as a performance SUV, and more as a performance presence.
And yes, it comes in a Stealth Grey shade with red accents, which makes it look, from some angles, like a charging elephant wearing racing stripes.
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