^{This content was aggregated from local dealer insights and data, using Google Gemini AI with editing by the USA TODAY Network Automotive Insights team to help car shoppers make informed decisions.}

If you need an SUV that can actually handle the big stuff but still feels high-end, the 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve is worth a look. Available at Willis Nissan in Des Moines, it’s built for towing boats, campers, or trailers without feeling like a bare-bones work vehicle. You get the strength and capability you expect from a full-size SUV, plus the comfort and premium touches that make everyday driving just as enjoyable as weekend trips.

• 8,500 lbs of Towing Capability: The Armada Platinum Reserve is built to pull serious weight, whether that’s a large trailer, boat, or camper.
• Strong Payload Capacity: With up to 1,486 lbs of payload, you can load up passengers, luggage, and gear without second-guessing it.
• Twin-Turbo 3.5L V6: This engine delivers 425 horsepower, giving you the kind of power you’ll appreciate when merging, passing, or towing.
• 9-Speed Automatic Transmission: Shifts feel smooth and controlled, whether you’re cruising on the highway or hauling something heavy.
• Built-In Towing Support: Features like a Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Assist, trailer light check, and Reverse Assist with visual guidance help make towing feel more manageable.
• All-Mode 4WD: Full-time four-wheel drive automatically adjusts for better traction in changing road or weather conditions.
• Upscale Interior & Tech: Inside, you’ll find Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, a Head-Up Display, and a Klipsch® premium audio system, so even when you’re driving a full-size SUV built for capability, it still feels comfortable and refined.

At the core of the 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve is a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 that puts out 425 horsepower at 5,600 RPM. It’s paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth, steady power whether you’re driving around town or pulling something heavy. The All-Mode 4WD system automatically adjusts for added traction, which is especially helpful when road conditions change or when you’ve got a trailer behind you.

With up to 8,500 pounds of towing capacity and a 1,486-pound payload rating, the Armada is ready for serious work. Boats, campers, utility trailers, and even a small horse trailer are well within its range. Built-in towing features like the Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Assist, and Reverse Assist with visual guidance help take some of the stress out of hooking up and backing in. Altogether, it’s a full-size SUV that feels just as capable as it looks.

Maximizing the 2026 Nissan Armada's towing potential requires adherence to safe towing practices. Here are some essential tips:

• Know Your Limits: Always stay within the Armada's 8,500 lbs towing capacity and 1,486 lbs payload. Factor in the weight of the trailer itself, its cargo, and the weight of passengers and cargo inside your Armada.
• Proper Weight Distribution: Ensure your trailer's tongue weight is appropriate (typically 10-15% of the total trailer weight) to maintain stability. Use a weight-distributing hitch for heavier loads.
• Pre-Trip Inspection: Before every tow, check your trailer lights (easily done with the Armada's Trailer light test feature), tire pressure on both the Armada and the trailer, brake fluid, and hitch connection.
• Adjust Driving Habits: Allow for longer braking distances, accelerate gradually, and take wider turns. The Armada's Brake assist system and 4-wheel antilock (ABS) brakes provide excellent stopping power, but extra caution is always advised with a trailer.
• Utilize Technology: Engage the Trailer Sway Assist to help mitigate trailer sway in windy conditions or during sudden maneuvers. The Vehicle and trailer reverse assist with visual graphic guidance only is invaluable for precise backing.
• Recommended Trailer Sizes: With its 8,500 lbs capacity, the 2026 Nissan Armada is well-suited for:
  • Medium to large travel trailers (up to 30 feet, depending on weight)
  • Boat trailers (for most recreational boats, including pontoon boats and ski boats)
  • Utility trailers with ATVs, motorcycles, or landscaping equipment
  • Small to medium enclosed cargo trailers

The 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve isn’t just about power; it’s also built to keep you comfortable and connected. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ make it easy to access your apps without dealing with cords, and the Head-Up Display puts key driving info right on the windshield so you can stay focused on the road ahead.

When it comes to visibility, the Armada really shines. The 3D Around View® Monitor with full rotation and Invisible Hood View gives you a better look at what’s around and even below the vehicle, which comes in handy when parking, maneuvering in tight spaces, or lining up a trailer.

Inside, you’ll find ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel, creating a cabin that feels just as comfortable on long road trips as it does on quick drives across town.

The 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve comes loaded with safety features that help you feel more confident behind the wheel, especially in a full-size SUV built for towing and hauling.

Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection can step in if it senses a potential impact ahead. Intelligent Lane Intervention helps keep you centered, while Blind Spot Intervention and Rear Automatic Braking add another layer of awareness around the vehicle, particularly helpful when changing lanes or backing up with a trailer attached.

The Armada also includes nine airbags, including front center and knee airbags, along with a strong electronic stability control system that works behind the scenes to help keep everything steady. It’s a solid safety setup designed to protect you, your passengers, and whatever you’re towing.

• Engine: 3.5L V-6 twin turbo, 425 HP
• Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
• Drive Type: 4x4 (All-Mode 4WD)
• Towing Capacity: 8,500 lbs
• Standard Payload: 1,486 lbs
• Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined): 16/19/17 MPG
• Exterior Color: Black
• Interior Color: Charcoal

The 2026 Nissan Armada Platinum Reserve is here at Willis Nissan in Des Moines and ready for you to see in person. If you’re looking for real towing power with a premium feel inside, this SUV checks both boxes. Stop by 4770 Merle Hay Rd or call (888) 801-7447 to schedule a test drive and see if the Armada is the right fit for you.

Written for Willis Nissan, by the USA TODAY Network Automotive Insights team, in collaboration with Vehicles for Sale near Des Moines