2017 Nissan Armada basically a rebadged Infiniti QX80

Nissan has unveiled the redesigned 2017 Armada and, in the process, duped us all.

Because make no mistake about it, the new Nissan Armada is little more than a rebadged Infiniti QX80—and nobody should be complaining about it.

• Also: 2017 Nissan Armada: Redesigned and Ready to Go
• Also: 2018 Nissan Armada: Big is the Word of the Day

Here's the thing: Building two or more vehicles on the same platform is nothing new.

Neither is putting a luxury badge on a non-luxury vehicle and dressing it up to boost the value proposition.

Just about every automaker out there does it, usually launching, say, the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe before the Cadillac Escalade hits the market.

But that's the thing—the luxury version usually comes after, not before.

With this new Armada, Nissan has done the opposite, essentially taking a $75,000 sport utility and slashing 20 per cent from the base MSRP.

Yes, the 2017 Armada is basically the Nissan Patrol sold in other parts of the world, but the fact that it is now coming to Canada is like getting a porterhouse steak for the price of a sirloin.

Available in Canada in SL and Platinum trims, the Armada comes standard with four-wheel drive, while its 5.6-litre V8 gets a major boost in power, jumping to 390 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque from the previous generation's 317 and 385, respectively.

More sound-deadening materials and the use of "acoustic glass" give the new eight-seater "library level" interior noise levels, according to Nissan, though it was quick to note that drivers can only expect that at idle.

Satellite navigation with traffic and weather information, run through an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, leather seating, heated front seats and a 13-speaker Bose audio system are all counted as standard equipment, while heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel and heated second-row seats are standard on the Platinum trim.

Armada Platinum models also get a standard DVD system with dual seven-inch screens in the back of the front seat headrests.

While pricing hasn't been announced, it's unlikely the 2017 Armada's sticker will start at much more than the $59,828 of the current version, which is only available in Platinum grade.

That's $14,822 less than the QX80's starting price of $74,650.