Nissan’s enormous old-school truck-style SUV is back after a long hiatus; the 2017 Nissan Armada will basically be the peasant-spec . Don’t count on it being “cheap,” but it sure looks sharp.

So far we know the new Armada will share a platform, driveline, engine and a great deal of design with the QX80 and overseas-market Nissan Patrol. Interior shares a lot of the same lines, too from the looks of these first images.

Nissan’s 5.6 liter Endurance V8 will make 390 horsepower as tuned for the Armada, and that’s coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

But more significant to most prospective drivers will be the suite of driver aids you might describe as semi-autonomy; Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), Backup Collision Intervention (BCI), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Distance Control Assist (DCA), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW).

So far Nissan’s announced that the truck, I mean SUV, will be available this summer in SV, SL and Platinum trim levels all with 2WD as standard and 4WD as optional.

Armada will be rated to an impressive 8,500 towing capacity, and (probably) an abysmal achievement of fuel economy.

Now that we’ve reported everything that’s been confirmed, I’ll take the liberty to say this thing looks pretty damn good. I thought the current Infiniti QX80 was a genuine pleasure to drive when I wrung it out last year, except that it forces you to be seen sitting behind that front end.

The simple “V-motion” signature Nissan face was ported perfectly to the QX’s big body. Seems a lot less offensive than the Infiniti’s snarly version, now I feel like I have time to appreciate the SUV a little longer before it eats me.

If the Platinum trim is as nice on this as it is on the this could be a solid luxury 4x4 option. If it’s available with any kind of decent terrain-response system (or locking differentials? A boy can dream.) I’d look forward to driving it!

Images via Nissan

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