Shopping for a full-size SUV but worried about feeding a gas guzzler? The 2025 Nissan Armada just ditched its thirsty V8 for a twin-turbo V6. Let’s see if it’s actually better on fuel—or just clever marketing. The numbers might surprise you.
The 2025 Nissan Armada: A New Engine Era
Nissan killed the V8. After riding the 5.6-liter “Endurance” V8 for over a decade, the 2025 Armada now packs a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. This isn’t a compromise—it’s an upgrade.
The new powerplant cranks out 425 horsepower and a massive 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s 25 more horses and 103 lb-ft more twist than the old V8. The torque peaks earlier too, at 3,600 rpm instead of 4,000 rpm, giving you stronger pull from standstill.
Paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission (up from 7 speeds), this setup is designed to deliver power when you need it and sip fuel when you don’t. The wider gear spread lets the engine loaf along at low RPMs during highway cruising—key for better fuel economy.
The strategy here is classic: downsize the engine, add turbos, increase gears. You get V8-level grunt with V6-level efficiency. At least, that’s the plan.
2025 Nissan Armada Gas Mileage: The Official Numbers
Here’s what the EPA ratings say about Nissan Armada gas mileage for 2025:
- 2WD models: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG
- 4WD models: 16 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG
- PRO-4X (4WD): 15 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG
Notice the PRO-4X takes a 1 MPG hit across the board. That’s the price you pay for off-road capability—aggressive all-terrain tires create more rolling resistance and drag.
The interesting part? City ratings are identical for 2WD and standard 4WD models at 16 MPG. That’s because the Armada’s “Intelligent 4WD” system runs in 2WD mode during light-load city driving. You only see the highway penalty (1 MPG) from spinning the extra 4WD components at sustained speeds.
| Drivetrain | Trim Type | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | Standard | 16 | 20 | 18 |
| 4WD | Standard | 16 | 19 | 17 |
| 4WD | PRO-4X | 15 | 18 | 16 |
These aren’t stellar numbers, but they’re a meaningful jump from the old V8. We’ll get to that comparison soon.
Real-World Nissan Armada Gas Mileage: Owner Reports
EPA ratings are controlled lab tests. Real-world driving tells a different story—and it’s complicated.
Car and Driver nailed 22 MPG in their 75-mph highway test with a 4WD model. That beats the EPA’s 19 MPG highway rating by 3 MPG. The twin-turbo V6 excels when the turbos aren’t working hard.
Mixed driving mirrors the EPA pretty closely. Consumer Guide tested a 4WD Platinum Reserve for 110 miles (65% city) and logged 17.1 MPG—essentially matching the 17 MPG combined rating. Edmunds saw “about 18 mpg” on rural routes.
But here’s the catch: heavy city traffic absolutely destroys Nissan Armada gas mileage.
A 2025 PRO-4X owner on Reddit reported 20-22 MPG on highways but a dismal 8-14 MPG in city driving. That’s worse than the EPA’s 15 MPG city rating.
Why the huge city penalty?
Twin-turbo engines behave like two different powerplants:
- Highway driving (low load): The turbos barely spool. The engine acts like a small, efficient 3.5-liter V6.
- City driving (high load): Constantly accelerating 6,000+ pounds from stops forces the turbos to work overtime. The engine chugs fuel like a big, thirsty V8.
Your daily commute determines everything. Highway warriors will love the Armada’s efficiency. Stop-and-go city dwellers? You’ll want that Toyota Sequoia hybrid instead.
2024 Nissan Armada Gas Mileage: The V8 Baseline
To appreciate the 2025’s improvement, you need context. The 2023-2024 Armada’s 5.6-liter V8 produced 400 hp and 413 lb-ft while drinking gas like it was going out of style.
The V8’s EPA ratings were brutal:
- 2WD: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG
- 4WD: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG
Reviewers consistently ranked it last in class for fuel economy. It trailed not just V6 competitors but even other V8-powered rivals like the Chevy Tahoe.
| Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2WD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 4WD | 13 | 18 | 15 |
Real-world numbers confirmed the pain. Owners routinely saw low teens in the city. But the V8 had one redeeming quality: it relaxed at highway speeds. One 1,250-mile trip averaged 17.5 MPG. A highway-focused test hit 19.7 MPG.
The V8 was thirsty but predictable. You knew what you were getting.
V6 vs V8: The Efficiency Showdown
On paper, the improvement looks modest. The 2025 V6 gains 2 MPG combined over the 2024 V8—that’s about 13% better.
But Consumer Guide’s real-world testing tells a more dramatic story. Their previous V8 test returned 12.4 MPG in mixed driving. The new V6 delivered 17.1 MPG. That’s a 38% improvement.
Here’s the full comparison for 4WD models:
| Spec | 2024 V8 | 2025 V6 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 400 | 425 | +6.3% |
| Torque | 413 lb-ft | 516 lb-ft | +24.9% |
| Transmission | 7-speed | 9-speed | +2 gears |
| EPA Combined | 15 MPG | 17 MPG | +13.3% |
| Real-World Mixed | 12.4 MPG | 17.1 MPG | +37.9% |
| Real-World Highway | 19.7 MPG | 22 MPG | +11.7% |
Looks great, right? Not so fast.
The Premium Fuel Catch
The 2024 V8 ran on regular gas. The 2025 V6 wants premium to hit its full 425 hp and 516 lb-ft ratings.
Let’s do the math. Assume regular costs $3.50/gallon and premium runs $4.25/gallon:
- 2024 V8 (4WD): $3.50 ÷ 15 MPG = $0.233 per mile
- 2025 V6 (4WD): $4.25 ÷ 17 MPG = $0.250 per mile
The “more efficient” 2025 Armada costs about 7% more per mile to fuel than the V8 it replaced. The higher MPG gets completely wiped out by premium fuel prices.
You’re not saving money. You’re getting 103 lb-ft more torque for roughly the same operating cost.
The Shrinking Fuel Tank Problem
The 2024 model had a 26-gallon tank. The 2025 model dropped to 23.6 gallons.
That smaller tank negates the range benefits from better Nissan Armada gas mileage:
- 2024 V8 highway range: 26.0 gal × 18 MPG = 468 miles (EPA) / ~512 miles (real-world)
- 2025 V6 highway range: 23.6 gal × 19 MPG = 448 miles (EPA) / ~519 miles (real-world)
In real-world highway driving, you get essentially the same range. The V6 just uses less fuel to achieve it.
How the Armada Stacks Up Against Rivals
The 2025 redesign successfully moved the Armada from worst-in-class to middle-of-the-pack. But “not last” isn’t exactly a victory lap.
| SUV | Drivetrain | Engine | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Armada | 4WD | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 | 17 |
| Toyota Sequoia | 4WD | 3.4L Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid | 20 |
| Ford Expedition | 4WD | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 | 18 |
| Chevy Tahoe | 4WD | 5.3L V8 | 17 |
| Chevy Tahoe | 4WD | 3.0L Turbo-Diesel | 22 |
Nissan Armada vs Toyota Sequoia
The Sequoia hybrid dominates on Nissan Armada gas mileage. Its i-FORCE MAX hybrid system hits 20 MPG combined (4WD) and 22 MPG (2WD). The city rating of 19-21 MPG crushes the Armada’s 16 MPG.
But the Armada costs significantly less and offers more rear legroom and cargo space. You’re choosing between efficiency and value.
Nissan Armada vs Ford Expedition
The Expedition’s standard 3.5L EcoBoost edges out the Armada at 18 MPG combined (4WD). The 2WD Expedition hits 17 city / 23 highway—better across the board.
The Armada’s advantage? Its standard engine (425 hp / 516 lb-ft) outmuscles the Expedition’s standard mill (400 hp / 480 lb-ft). Ford offers a high-output variant, but it costs extra.
Nissan Armada vs Chevy Tahoe
The 2025 Armada finally matches the Tahoe’s 5.3L V8 at 17 MPG combined. The old 2024 V8 Armada couldn’t compete.
Chevy’s trump card remains the available 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel, which delivers 22 MPG combined with exceptional highway range. If efficiency matters, the diesel Tahoe wins.
Who Should Buy the 2025 Armada?
The 2025 Nissan Armada isn’t an efficiency champion. It’s a performance SUV that happens to be 38% more efficient than before.
Buy it if:
- You want best-in-class standard torque (516 lb-ft)
- You prioritize power and refinement over maximum MPG
- You do mostly highway driving where it hits 20-22 MPG
- You appreciate the 38% real-world efficiency gain as a bonus, not the main selling point
Skip it if:
- You’re genuinely focused on minimizing fuel costs
- Your daily grind involves heavy city traffic (hello, 8-14 MPG)
- You can’t stomach premium fuel prices
- You need true class-leading efficiency
For efficiency-focused buyers, two alternatives make more sense:
- Toyota Sequoia hybrid: 20-22 MPG combined, runs on regular fuel
- Chevy Tahoe diesel: 22 MPG combined with massive highway range
The 2025 Armada’s new powertrain is impressive engineering. It transforms a last-place gas guzzler into a competitive, powerful SUV. Just don’t expect to save money at the pump—you’re paying roughly the same per mile as the V8, except now you’re getting 103 lb-ft more torque and a vastly better driving experience.
That’s the real story of Nissan Armada gas mileage: not a fuel-sipping miracle, but a muscle-bound SUV that won’t destroy your wallet quite as quickly as before.
