2017 Nissan Armada revealed prior to Chicago auto show debut

Nissan has revealed the latest generation of its full-size Armada SUV prior to its official debut this weekend at the Chicago auto show.

Key changes are in the big utility's styling (which now has more in common with the Infiniti QX80) and under the hood, where the Armada gets Nissan's new "Endurance" direct-injected 5.6L V8 engine, whose ratings of 390 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque promise a major performance improvement over the outgoing truck's engine of the same displacement, which made 317 hp and 385 lb-ft.

Along with the new engine is a seven-speed automatic transmission, replacing a five-speed.

Nissan says the Armada's redesign includes a new interior, and will come in two uplevel trims -- SL and Platinum -- and with standard 4WD. Standard kit across both lines includes navigation, LED headlights, an eight-inch colour infotainment display, heated front seats, and a 13-speaker Bose stereo. Available safety features will include predictive forward collision warning, blind spot intervention, backup collision intervention, and around-view monitor camera system with moving object detection.

Nissan hasn't yet priced the new Armada, but we expect that announcement will come closer to the truck's summer 2016 on-sale date.