The Nissan Armada does 15.4 mpg combined (13.3 city, 18.7 highway), which works out to about $2,494 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.5L 6-cyl does 18 mpg while 5.6L 8-cyl does 15.1 — a difference of $410 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every Nissan Armada engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Nissan Armada ranges from 18 down to 15.1 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $410 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 16 / 20 | 2025–2026 | $2,133 | |
| 5.6L 8-cyl | 13.1 / 18.6 | 2004–2024 | $2,543 |
What that actually costs
The Nissan Armada burns a gallon every 15.4 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 779 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.208 |
| Fuel per year | $2,494 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,470 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$109 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,316 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Nissan Armada gives up 5.4 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 18.7 out there against 13.3 in town, a 41% drop worth $834 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 13.3 mpg | $2,887 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 18.7 mpg | $2,053 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.4 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Armada changed over the years
The Armada peaked in 2026 at 18 mpg (16 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2009 at 14 — 4 mpg apart, or $610 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 18. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2025 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 2024 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2023 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2022 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2021 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2020 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2019 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2018 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2017 | 14 / 19 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2015 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2014 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2013 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2012 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2011 | 13 / 19 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2010 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,560 | |
| 2009 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2008 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2007 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2006 | 12 / 17 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2005 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 | |
| 2004 | 12 / 18 | 1 | $2,743 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 22 EPA ratings of the Nissan Armada — 2 engines across 2004–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $4,316. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Nissan Armada get?
15.4 mpg combined on average — 13.3 in the city and 18.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2004–2026.
How much does a Nissan Armada cost in fuel per year?
About $2,494 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,470 over five years, or 0.208 dollars a mile.
Which Armada engine is the most economical?
The 3.5L 6-cyl at 18 mpg, against 15.1 for the 5.6L 8-cyl — a difference of about $410 a year.
Is the Armada good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world Armada figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Nissan Armada is $4,316 against the $2,494 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 18 and 14 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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