Review - Nissan Patrol

This is where the Nissan Patrol steps into the equation, going up against the likes of the segment’s leader, the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series, in the battle to win over adventure-hungry families looking for maximum bang for their buck. 

The Nissan Patrol recently received a significant mid-life update, bringing a range of styling improvements and more equipment as standard. These improvements have, however, brought in a number of price increases for the Patrol range, which leaves us with a few burning questions. Have these price increases been justified, and just how attractive is the Patrol as a value for money proposition in the world of family-friendly 4x4s here in Australia?

Let’s find out. 

Starting Price: $81,160

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Nissan Patrol - Ti (4x4) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Nissan Patrol car page.

How Much Does the Nissan Patrol Cost?

The Nissan Patrol range kicks off with the base-model Patrol Ti, which is priced from $81,160. The range then moves to the flagship variant, the Patrol Ti-L, which is priced from $94,115. While these prices are accurate at the time of publishing, they are subject to change, and do not include on-road costs. 

How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You? 

You could save money by using one of OnlineAuto’s car agents to assist you in finding the best car for you. As one of the leading car buying services in Australia, our team have access to a range of dealerships across the country to help find you the best deal.

What Features Does the Nissan Patrol Have?

The Nissan Patrol Ti comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, and is packaged with a number of premium and rugged features. As standard, the entry-level Ti comes packaged with a 4x4 system, eight seats, adaptive cruise control, a rear locking differential with hill descent control, automatic LED headlights and fog lights, leather upholstery with power-adjustable driver and front passenger seats, keyless entry and start, surround-view camera with front and rear parking sensors, heated folding mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear lever, an 8.0-inch infotainment system with sat-nav and bluetooth, three-zone climate control, and a clever hydraulic body motion control suspension system. 

Opting for the range-topping Ti-L changes the seating to a seven-seat configuration, while adding heated and ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, digital rear-view mirror, powered boot lift, roof rails, two 8.0-inch screens for rear passengers, a centre console refrigerator and an upgraded 13-speaker sound system from BOSE. 

Range Features: 

• 18-inch alloys 

• Eight seats 

• 4x4 system with terrain-select & locking rear differential 

• Automatic LED headlights & fog lights 

• Adaptive cruise control 

• Leather upholstery 

• Hydraulic body control suspension system 

• Surround-view camera with front & rear parking sensors 

• 8.0-inch infotainment system with sat-nav and bluetooth 

• Three-zone climate control 

• Seven seat configuration (Ti-L)

• Heated and ventilated seats (Ti-L)

• Powered boot lift (Ti-L)

• Panoramic sunroof (Ti-L)

• Two 8.0-inch displays for rear passengers (Ti-L)

• 13-speaker BOSE sound system (Ti-L)

Nissan Patrol Colours

Is it Comfortable to Drive?

The first impressions of the Nissan Patrol are impressive considering just how large and potentially cumbersome a vehicle of this stature could prove on the road. The seating position puts the driver and front passenger extremely high, offering up maximum visibility and driving confidence, which is a welcome addition for a large vehicle. Another confidence-inspiring feature of the Nissan Patrol is the steering system, which has been designed to be both lightweight and responsive, which makes the Patrol an easy car to park and navigate tight city streets. This is a particularly welcomed addition, considering the sheer size of the Patrol can make driving through town and squeezing into car parks a bit of a chore. 

Most importantly, however, is the engine powering the Patrol, which we’re glad to inform has a heap of power at its disposal. At its heart, the Patrol receives a massive 5.6-litre V8 unit which produces 298kW and 560Nm of torque, which means there are very, very few circumstances that you’ll be lacking power. On the road, the Patrol feels stable and confidence-inspiring, and offers effortless acceleration from the V8 engine while overtaking on the highway or while towing large, heavy objects. Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission which works quickly and seamlessly providing smooth shifts, and makes the Patrol a more user-friendly vehicle to pilot for drivers new to the large 4x4 category. 

With all this power and weight, Nissan has had to create a suspension system that not only handles the potential rough and tumble of off-roading, but has to remain comfortable on Australian roads and maintain control of that weight through corners. We’re pleased to report that the hydraulic body motion control system that the Patrol has been fitted with does an absolutely outstanding job at maintaining the overall ride comfort that families expect of their family-friendly 4x4, while being a pleasure to drive in all types of circumstances. This suspension system effectively disguises its sheer weight through the corners, while ironing out the bumps that feature on Australian roads and makes the Patrol one of the most comfortable offerings available in the 4x4 market. 

All up, then, the Patrol is an exceptionally comfortable 4x4 to drive in and around the city, with a huge amount of power available combined with a highly-competent suspension system that offers an extremely comfortable driving dynamic. 

Is the Nissan Patrol a Towing and Off-Roading Powerhouse? 

When it comes to off-roading, the Nissan Patrol is at the front of the 4x4 pack, keeping a very narrow margin between the likes of the segment’s leader, the Toyota LandCruiser. The Patrol is packaged with a 4x4 system that features 4H, 4L, hill descent control, a rear locking differential and settings for sand, snow and rocky terrain which, combined with that hydraulic suspension system we’ve just talked about, results in a serious off-road package that can take on seriously tough terrain before tapping-out. With the power of that large-capacity V8 at hand, the Patrol overcomes its sheer weight and effortlessly conquers steep inclines and difficult terrain without a problem. The Patrol also sits quite high off the road, 273mm to be exact, giving the front and rear enough ground clearance for aggressive off-roading potential. 

In terms of towing capacity, the latest Nissan Patrol has a braked towing capacity rated at 3,500kg, while the unbraked capacity remains 750kg. This matches the towing capacity on offer in the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series, and means that there’s a very small list of objects that the Patrol can’t tow with confidence for weekend and holiday getaways. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

The interior space on offer in the Nissan Patrol matches the big, bulky proportions of the exterior, with a huge amount of space for all occupants. The driver and front passenger are treated to a huge amount of forward visibility through the windscreen, with a large centre console housing the somewhat dated infotainment system and climate control settings. The driver and front passenger receive large door bins for full-sized water bottles, and are separated by a large panel with a folding set of cup holders, and a huge, refrigerated centre armrest box that can fit a huge amount of loose items. 

Moving to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find a comfortable bench seat for three passengers, who are treated to a huge amount of both head and leg room. You won’t hear any complaints from those in the rear, with enough space for even full-sized adults sitting behind the driver. Better still, those seated in the second row of the cabin are treated to a reclining bench seat, so you can lean back and relax on longer journeys, reducing the amount of complaints you’ll hear from kids in the back of the cabin. 

Moving to the third row of seats, you’ll find a bench seat for three in the entry-level Patrol, and a two-seat configuration in the third-row in the range-topping Ti-L. If an eight-seat 4x4 is a must for you, you’ll have to stick with the entry-level Ti to accommodate eight, rather than seven people. The seats can accommodate adults, however they’ve been designed for small to medium-sized kids, who are treated to a set of air vents and cup holders for longer trips. 

In terms of cargo storage, the Patrol has a boot with 467L of storage with the third-row seats standing, which is impressive for a family needing to accommodate seven-to-eight people and a sizable supermarket load. Fold the third-row down and you’ll benefit from 1,414L of boot space, which can extend to a massive 2,623L with the second-row folded down, too. For those of you with children, the Patrol comes packaged with easily accessible ISOFIX anchor and top tether points, and has rear doors that open wide enough to accommodate even the bulkiest of child seats. 

Is it Safe? 

The current-generation Nissan Patrol is yet to receive an official ANCAP safety rating, although it does come feature-packed in terms of active safety technologies. As a reference point, the older generation received a three-star safety rating, although this is likely to be improved upon with the latest generation. As standard, the Patrol comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking with a forward collision warning system, as well as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warnings and curtain airbags for all three-rows. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The downside to all the power on offer from the large capacity V8 engine is that fuel economy is the first and major victim. Officially, the Nissan Patrol is rated at 14.4L per 100km, which is an undeniably thirsty engine. As a reference point, the comparative Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series is rated at 9.5L per 100km, although the LandCruiser is powered by a diesel engine, rather than the Patrol’s petrol unit. 

Our Verdict: Is the Nissan Patrol Worth it? 

If you’re looking for a family-friendly 4x4 that matches the segment’s leader, the Toyota LandCruiser, in almost every measurable aspect, the Nissan Patrol is a car very much worth a spot on your shortlist. Better still, it offers so much value for money, you’d need to spend $20,000 or more for the equivalent LandCruiser to receive many of the same features. The major trade-off here, though, is the absence of a diesel variant which will leave some prospective buyers disappointed.   

As a result of this generous equipment as standard, the overall value for money proposition in the Patrol makes something like a Range Rover look needlessly expensive, while matching it in a number of key areas. As an overall package, then, the Nissan Patrol is a fabulous family 4x4 that won’t be phased by transporting eight people with all their belongings, or towing large objects for a family escape. With that in mind, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925 

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year, unlimited KM warranty with capped-price servicing package also available 

2. Entry-level Ti is an eight-seater; premium Ti-L comes with seven-seat configuration 

3. No official ANCAP safety rating yet 

4. 3,500kg braked towing capacity

5. 5.6-litre V8 produces 298kW/560Nm 

Pros 

• Immensely powerful V8 engine paired with smooth transmission 

• Silky-smooth suspension system 

• Extremely competent off-road and towing performance 

• Huge, spacious cabin with three-rows of seating 

Cons

• Underwhelming infotainment system

• Thirsty fuel economy 

• Lack of diesel variant 

• Large proportions can prove tricky in and around town

OnlineAuto Rating: 8/10

Nissan Patrol Competition