15 MPG combined; those numbers aren’t going to impress anyone looking for lower fuel costs, but this is the reality for the 2022 Nissan Armada 4WD with its strong 5.6L V8. This isn’t a vehicle for efficient driving or city commutes. It’s a classic, truck-based SUV designed to haul families, boats, and cargo. Buyers understand this, prioritizing capacity and space over ultimate fuel efficiency.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Armada gets 13 MPG in the city and 18 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the engine’s fuel consumption in stop-and-go traffic, made worse by the vehicle’s weight and traditional engine. The highway number is a little better, but still lower than many competitors, showing that moving this much weight requires a lot of fuel, even at a constant speed. Expect these figures from a vehicle of this type, but prospective buyers should consider if they mostly drive in the city or on the highway to have a realistic idea of their expected fuel consumption.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2022 Nissan Armada 4WD at $3,850. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, with 55% city driving and 45% highway driving, using national average fuel prices. Knowing this number is important to understanding the total cost of ownership. Expect that annual cost to increase if you drive more than 15,000 miles a year, or if fuel prices increase greatly. However, someone who mostly uses the Armada for weekend towing and occasional family trips might see the annual fuel bill be slightly lower.

Real-world expectations

Do not expect to always match the EPA numbers. Real-world driving, such as fast acceleration, towing, carrying heavy loads, and even tire pressure, can affect fuel economy. Owners report numbers that vary, and some have worse fuel economy than the EPA estimates under difficult conditions. However, those who drive carefully and keep up with vehicle maintenance might see numbers that are close, or even better than the official ratings, when on long highway trips.

How it compares

This Nissan Armada is competing against other full-size SUVs. The Ford Expedition with its EcoBoost V6 does a little better, achieving 17 MPG combined in its 4×4 configuration. The Chevrolet Tahoe, with a 5.3L V8, gets around 16 MPG combined in 4WD. Even the Toyota Sequoia, known for its reliability, is around 15 MPG combined with its i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain on the TRD Pro trim. This explains why buyers looking at vehicles like ARMADA MPG across all years already understand the cost. For them, the Armada’s value lies in its ruggedness, passenger space, towing capacity, and overall price, even if it uses more gas compared to its rivals. Owners who accept this tradeoff can explore all Nissan fuel economy data.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While you can’t completely change the Armada’s fuel consumption, you can take steps to minimize it. Regular maintenance, including oil changes and air filter replacements, makes sure the engine runs well. A maintained engine burns fuel better.

Monitor your tire pressure. Underinflated tires create more resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check the sticker on the driver’s side doorjamb for the recommended tire pressure, and inflate accordingly. This is especially important when towing.

Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking. Smooth acceleration and anticipating traffic can greatly improve fuel economy, especially in city driving. Consider it a skill to practice with the Armada.

Reduce weight. Extra cargo adds weight, which affects fuel consumption. Remove unnecessary items. The Armada can carry a lot, but only carry what you need, when you need it.