Well I just got the 05 LE last week & I love it! I don't have a real problem that ranks with the 04's...yet. Remember, this is just for my venting pleasure.
So far everything about the Armada is a home run: exterior styling the roominess & power. I wish I could say that for the radio/nav/heat/cooling controls - of course designed by an entirely different set of people. I just want to love everything about it. Maybe someone listening at Nissan can fix for future models.
#1. Nice leather steering wheel but the stereo controls should be on the back like Chrysler/Dodge - currently too awkward for the thumb while holding the wheel. The wide toggle switches themselves are odd. Probably the most adjusted item while driving & they become intuitive as well so you don't need to see them. Also add the 'seek' button to the wheel you’re at it.
#2. All the heat/cooling & radio info should have separate LED displays that always show current info (again, like our Chrysler Pacifica). Everything is crowded on the nav screen & has to be mode switched to be seen. For instance, on the heat/cooling you have to adjust a knob to find out what anything is set at & when you do it changes - arghhh! Everything takes an extra step or two just to adjust it. Gotta keep the manual handy. Plus not much is intuitive: Quick-how do you put the cd on random?! I dunno - I did it once & the 3+ step process was too much trouble.
#3. Speaking of which the entire set of plastic control knobs are from a boom box 20 yrs ago & doesn't match the vehicle. I feel like if I don’t cut my nails the paint on the plastic will scratch off or if I push them too much they'll break.
#4. The orange instrument backlighting was cool back in the 80's....how about green, blue or white?
#5. No white instrument cluster on this performance beast?
#6. What's up with the pastel color motif in the nav screen? Pink & brown streets on a yellow background? I like the black night feature & love the 3d mode but the "Strawberry Shortcake" colors make me wince. No offense - maybe it's a Japanese thing like their color clashing variety shows.
#7. Another nav ding - what's up with the tiny sensitive all-controlling joystick nipple? You’re supposed to push it without bending it to the side? You need the skill of a surgeon & a pair of tweezers just to put in an address. Make it a directional pad of buttons already.
#8. Why the maze-like path for the shifter? From Park it's right, down, right down, down, right, down, left. (ok, I'm exaggerating now but it's close).
#9. How about a headrest that cradles your head? Of course all cars have this issue - why are they all shaped like a curb? Haven’t these designers ever sat in a comfortable dentist chair? Is it that difficult to make a comfortable curved headrest? I guess it is.
#10. Ok, I did find an exterior issue - this is the first vehicle that I've ever noticed where the door handles are loose - on purpose.
Well, I don’t mean to complain, so I’d like to leave it on a good note. Everyone I know likes or loves the Armada. The overall modern design is cool. The roominess is awesome. The sound system is great. The backup camera is cool & a must have! And of course, power up the wazoo. I’m so glad I didn’t settle for a boring Expedition or run-o-the mill GM Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe/Escalade (I remember laughing with friends at anything GM during cars shows & test track promotions over the last 10 years). Now if Dodge made a large SUV I’d have a tougher decision since I almost got the Durango - whew!
So far everything about the Armada is a home run: exterior styling the roominess & power. I wish I could say that for the radio/nav/heat/cooling controls - of course designed by an entirely different set of people. I just want to love everything about it. Maybe someone listening at Nissan can fix for future models.
#1. Nice leather steering wheel but the stereo controls should be on the back like Chrysler/Dodge - currently too awkward for the thumb while holding the wheel. The wide toggle switches themselves are odd. Probably the most adjusted item while driving & they become intuitive as well so you don't need to see them. Also add the 'seek' button to the wheel you’re at it.
#2. All the heat/cooling & radio info should have separate LED displays that always show current info (again, like our Chrysler Pacifica). Everything is crowded on the nav screen & has to be mode switched to be seen. For instance, on the heat/cooling you have to adjust a knob to find out what anything is set at & when you do it changes - arghhh! Everything takes an extra step or two just to adjust it. Gotta keep the manual handy. Plus not much is intuitive: Quick-how do you put the cd on random?! I dunno - I did it once & the 3+ step process was too much trouble.
#3. Speaking of which the entire set of plastic control knobs are from a boom box 20 yrs ago & doesn't match the vehicle. I feel like if I don’t cut my nails the paint on the plastic will scratch off or if I push them too much they'll break.
#4. The orange instrument backlighting was cool back in the 80's....how about green, blue or white?
#5. No white instrument cluster on this performance beast?
#6. What's up with the pastel color motif in the nav screen? Pink & brown streets on a yellow background? I like the black night feature & love the 3d mode but the "Strawberry Shortcake" colors make me wince. No offense - maybe it's a Japanese thing like their color clashing variety shows.
#7. Another nav ding - what's up with the tiny sensitive all-controlling joystick nipple? You’re supposed to push it without bending it to the side? You need the skill of a surgeon & a pair of tweezers just to put in an address. Make it a directional pad of buttons already.
#8. Why the maze-like path for the shifter? From Park it's right, down, right down, down, right, down, left. (ok, I'm exaggerating now but it's close).
#9. How about a headrest that cradles your head? Of course all cars have this issue - why are they all shaped like a curb? Haven’t these designers ever sat in a comfortable dentist chair? Is it that difficult to make a comfortable curved headrest? I guess it is.
#10. Ok, I did find an exterior issue - this is the first vehicle that I've ever noticed where the door handles are loose - on purpose.
Well, I don’t mean to complain, so I’d like to leave it on a good note. Everyone I know likes or loves the Armada. The overall modern design is cool. The roominess is awesome. The sound system is great. The backup camera is cool & a must have! And of course, power up the wazoo. I’m so glad I didn’t settle for a boring Expedition or run-o-the mill GM Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe/Escalade (I remember laughing with friends at anything GM during cars shows & test track promotions over the last 10 years). Now if Dodge made a large SUV I’d have a tougher decision since I almost got the Durango - whew!