There was a time when a three-row SUV with a leather-lined cabin, sophisticated technology and serious off-road hardware would have seemed like an odd combination. The 2026 Nissan Armada PRO-4X Intelligent 4WD proves that the formula can work well.

The PRO-4X sits near the heart of the Armada lineup with a starting price of more than $61,000, and unlike the more road-oriented versions, it comes standard with four-wheel drive. Under the hood is Nissan’s 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing a muscular 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission sends that power through the Intelligent 4WD system.

The numbers tell only part of the story. What makes the PRO-4X interesting is what Nissan does with that power. Intelligent 4WD incorporates a two-speed transfer case, giving the driver lots of control on their drive. There are also multiple modes designed for different surfaces, while an electronic locking rear differential can help when the trail gets particularly challenging.

Then there is the hardware you can see or sometimes don’t see. The PRO-4X wears 20-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires, protective metal skid plates and distinctive exterior trim. Its adaptive electronic air suspension can provide additional ground clearance, while the off-road-oriented bumpers improve the Armada’s ability to approach and leave obstacles. Nissan lists up to 9.6 inches of ground clearance, depending on configuration.

That makes the Armada more than an SUV dressed up to look adventurous. Reviewers have found the PRO-4X genuinely capable away from pavement, with its locking differential, low-range gearing and trail-focused drive modes giving it equipment normally associated with dedicated off-road vehicles.

Even with the hardware and rugged credibility, the Armada remains a large, comfortable three-row SUV with all the bells and whistles you’d expect in a luxury vehicle. Depending on configuration, it seats seven or eight, and Nissan offers upscale touches such as leather-appointed seating, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated second row, panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Klipsch premium audio system. The dashboard is dominated by dual 14.3-inch displays, with Google built-in available alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The technology is particularly useful when the pavement ends. An available Invisible Hood View can make it easier to position the front wheels around rocks and obstacles, while Nissan’s enhanced Around View Monitor provides a virtual look around the vehicle. Those features help turn a nearly 6,000-pound SUV from something intimidating into something considerably easier to drive on a narrow trail.

At the end of the day, the 2026 Nissan Armada PRO-4X Intelligent is a mean driving machine. I enjoyed driving it and you will, too. Give it a spin and tell me what you think.