2008 Nissan Armada Preview – 2007 Chicago Auto Show: Let’s face it: High gas prices, environmental concern and oil dependency have made vehicles like the Nissan Armada poster children for conspicuous consumption, and that’s made selling these beasts a slow slog down a muddy trail. Sadly, the headlines obscure the reality that if you have lots of people and things to haul, these SUVs serve a valuable purpose – a fact that Nissan is attempting to underline with its 2008 refresh of the Armada.

The changes for 2008 might be subtle, but they’re effective in updating the Armada to face renewed competition from the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, and what will undoubtedly be a new Sequoia based on the updated Tundra platform. Without this surface makeover, the Armada wouldn’t have stood a chance against such a formidable lineup of competitors.

Awash in hard, cheap-feeling plastic since its debut, the Armada’s cabin is addressed with revised materials for 2008 to give it a touch of class. The armrests are soft and comfortable, and the optional heated steering wheel on LE models will assuredly be welcomed by drivers in cold climates. Additional options include a power folding third-row seat and new wood trim on LE models, an improved gated shifter, and an advanced optional navigation system with real-time traffic information for XM radio subscribers. In addition, there’s a new sound system with a 9.3-gigabyte hard drive, third-row speakers and an amplifier (standard LE, optional SE), an available hands-free phone system and a larger 8-inch screen for the optional DVD package.

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