is one of the only full-size SUVs on the market with the chops to handle off-road performance. From the back trails to the highway, the Nissan Armada’s got you covered.

For adventurous drivers, having a vehicle that can tackle even the toughest of off-road conditions is an absolute must. But how can you tell whether or not your rugged-looking SUV is fit for the trails, or whether it’s just a facade?

Here to break down the key specs of the 2021 Nissan Armada’s off-road performance is

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. We’ll take a look at everything from this full-size SUV’s ground clearance specs and torque, to how it stacks up against the competition.

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Can the 2021 Nissan Armada go off road?

Yes—the 2021 Nissan Armada is more than capable of going off road. That being said, it likely wouldn’t be an avid off-roader’s first choice when it comes to hitting the trails.

Unlike some seriously decked-out off-roading vehicles, the Nissan Armada is relatively affordable, with a base MSRP of $49,500. At that price point, however, you’ll only be getting the Armada’s standard rear-wheel drive drivetrain—all-wheel drive will cost you extra.

But what else makes the 2021 Nissan Armada a great choice for off-road adventures? Let’s take a deep dive into some of this full-size SUV’s key specs.

Ground clearance

As a general rule, ground clearance is one of the first specs you should investigate when considering a car for off-roading. The 2021 Nissan Armada boasts a minimum ground clearance of 9.1 inches, making it more than capable of tackling moderate off-roading conditions.

For the most part, any vehicle with a ground clearance between 8.8 and 10.6 inches will be able to handle off-road adventures without seriously damaging its undercarriage. The higher a vehicle’s ground clearance, the more off-road obstacles it will be able to tackle without causing damage. While the Armada’s 9.1 inches is higher than, say, the 2021

Toyota RAV4’s

8.6 inches, it’s not as impressive as the 2021

Jeep Wrangler’s

9.7 inches—though all three are capable of going off-road.

Torque

When you’re shopping for an off-road vehicle, you might be tempted to opt for the highest horsepower and torque at the highest possible RPMs, but the best off-roading vehicles boast low-end torque specs. Low-end torque refers to a high torque rating in terms of lb-ft, but at a lower RPM. This is because, on the trail, power is more important than speed.

The 2021 Nissan Armada’s 5.6-liter V-8 engine offers a maximum torque output of 413 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM. That’s a decent amount of power at a relatively low RPM, meaning that the Armada is better suited for off-roading in terms of torque, than, say, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 with 184 lb-ft of torque @ 5,000 RPM.

Tires

When it comes to tires, the 2021 Nissan Armada features a set of P265/70HR18 tires on a standard model. If that looks like a load of gibberish to you, here’s what that means.

P265/70HR18 tires have a tire width of 265 millimeters, or 10.4 inches, and an aspect ratio of 70%. A tire’s aspect ratio is the measurement of its sidewalls—from the rim to the tread. The 18 at the end of the tire code means that these tires are designed to be installed on 18-inch wheels. P265/70HR18 tires are generally regarded as decent tires for off-roading purposes.

Drivetrain

Rear-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain on the 2021 Nissan Armada, but all-wheel drive is available for an additional cost. Rear-wheel drive really isn’t ideal for off-roading, so if you plan to tackle the trails, you should strongly consider upgrading to all-wheel drive.

Angles

Off-roading is all about angles: specifically, the approach angle and departure angle:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

Because the 2021 Nissan Armada isn’t necessarily designed to be an off-road vehicle, its approach and departure angles are less than ideal for the practice coming in at 20.8 and 22.1 degrees respectively. Those measurements are enough to tackle some gentle rises and falls in the trail, but if you’re planning on some serious rock crawling, the Armada is likely to fall flat.

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Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Utilizing

Jerry’s

super-sophisticated DIRT rating system—broken down in the table below— we’ve rated the 2021 Nissan Armada’s off-roading prowess.

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

We’ve given the 2021 Nissan Armada an R rating: despite being well-equipped to handle moderate off-roading adventures, taking on more than the Armada can handle is ill-advised and potentially dangerous. So if you’re looking for an SUV that can handle whatever terrain you throw at it, we’d suggest looking elsewhere.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Nissan Armada

If you’re looking for one of the only full-size SUVs on the market with moderate off-roading capabilities and a powerful V-8 engine, then the 2021 Nissan Armada is a great option for you. That being said, if you’re looking for something cheaper, more powerful, or just generally more capable off-road, here are some great alternatives.

Alternative	Model	Price	Powertrain
Best affordable alternative	2020 Nissan Pathfinder	$31,980	284-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine
Best luxury alternative	2021 Infiniti QX80	$69,150	400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 engine
Best alternative for serious off-roading	2021 Jeep Wrangler	$31,975	470-horsepower V-8 engine

MORE:Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

While there are limitless benefits to owning and driving an off-road capable vehicle, one of the few drawbacks is higher car insurance rates. Buying insurance for an off-road vehicle is more expensive due to the added risks associated with off-roading.

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