It seems as though the Nissan Patrol has been ‘on the beat’ since the year dot – well, 70 years, anyway. And with the recent upgrade, the big sports utility vehicle is qualified more than most to wear the ‘icon’ tag.
The Patrol comes in two well-specced grades Ti and Ti-L, while a flagship Warrior by Premcar model rounds out the range. Common to all is the carryover 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control.
Leading the upgrades is an Aussie-developed infotainment system. Making the screen debut of Directed Technologies, the high-definition display in the central dashboard links with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus other useful functions.
Directed Technologies Executive Director Brent Stafford says the company’s expertise will ensure the cutting-edge upgrades respond to Australia’s rugged conditions often taken on by Patrols.
Price to be paid is $87,900, plus on-road costs, for the eight-seat Ti version and $100,600 for the seven-seater Ti-L. Premcar input adds $4100. The Patrols are covered by Nissan’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty with road-side assistance for a similar period.
STYLING
The Patrol has aged well: With an upright, shoulders back stance, handsome is the way to describe the iconic 4WD wagon. The base Ti wears a sports bumper and automatic headlamps, plus LED daytime running lights and LED front foglamps.
There are heated door mirrors with power adjustment and folding and integrated indicator lights. Both models roll on 18-inch alloy wheels. The Ti-L adds a premium bumper with unique radiator grille and roof rails. A sunroof has one-touch power tilt and slide, plus privacy glass.
INTERIOR
Inside the Ti has leather-accented seating for eight, the Ti-L, seven. The driver’s spot is ten-way power adjustable, including height and lumbar support. The front passenger enjoys eight-way adjustment. The Ti-L includes heated and cooled front seats, two-position driver’s seat with memory including side mirrors and steering column. Comfort is good in the front seats but drops off rapidly in the third.
Storage is varied and is topped off by a deep centre console cool box on Ti spec. Cargo capacity is 467 litres with the third row in use, 1423 litres with the third-row seat back folded and 2623 litres with the second row folded.
INFOTAINMENT
As well as the internet links, the new info system unlocks a host of functions including iGo Street navigation, Hema 4×4 Navigation and over-the-air updates. DAB+ radio is at the behest of an Infinity Premium Audio and there are twin A and C USB ports and a 15W wireless smartphone charge station.
A 10.1-inch high definition central touchscreen allows access to both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and DAB+ radio with six speakers in the Ti and Infinity Premium system in the Ti-L. The so-called intelligent rea-view mirror has its shortcomings, especially in reflected bright sunlight.
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION
The 5.6 litre powerplant puts out 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque and is mated with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control.
SAFETY
Active safety comes from collision warning, electronic stability control, blind spot alert, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and rear cross traffic alert.
Parking of the large wagon is helped by parking sensors, multiple parking cameras, plus a rear parking camera.
DRIVING
For those Patrol ‘pals’ in the know, there’s little new to say about the carryover Nissan V8 engine. The well sorted 5.6 litre powerplant puts out 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque and is mated with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control, making the Patrol capable of towing 3.5 tonnes with a braked trailer.
Also carried over is Nissan’s Intelligent 4×4 with electronic 4×4 selection, a rear helical limited-slip differential and Hydraulic Body Motion Control suspension.
Said by the maker to use 14.4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres in the combined urban / highway cycle the test V8 put in a fuel consumption figure of 20 litres per 100 kilometres in crowded streets and half that cruising the open road.
The happy hunting ground of the Patrol is off the bitumen. The Ti-L has a full-time 4WD system, selectable off-road driving modes – Sand, Snow and Rock – and a rear diff lock. Ground clearance is 273mm, wading depth up to 700mm.
Cabin visibility all round is good but now misses out on to the all-round view cameras, replaced by moving object detection. A recuring Patrol problem over the years has been the long bonnet that leaves the driver staring into the sky on broaching a climb on a steep bush track. I’ve found standing up peering over the bonnet to find where the front wheels are going to land on the downside is the solution. It’s a lottery.
SUMMARY
Here comes the cavalry! The weary Patrol is about to be relieved by a new recruit recently paraded in the Middle East. The seventh generation might not make it Down Under until 2026. Still time to give the upgraded MY25 a go.
RATINGS
Looks – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Safety – 6/10
Thirst – 5/10
Practicality – 7/10
Comfort – 6/10
Tech – 7/10
Value – 6/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Nissan Patrol Ti $87,900
Nissan Patrol Ti-L $100,600
Nissan Patrol Warrior by Premcar $104,160
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Nissan Patrol Ti 5.6-litre V8 petrol, 7sp auto, 4WD)
ENGINE
Configuration: 5552cc
Maximum power 298kW @ 5800rpm
Maximum torque: 560Nm @ 4000rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 14.4L/100km
CO2 emissions 334g/100km
DRIVELINE: Seven-speed automatic, 4WD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 5175 mm
Width: 1995 mm
Height:1940 mm
Wheelbase: 3075 mm
Ground clearance: 323 mm
Kerb mass: 2812kg
Turning circle: 12.5 metres
Fuel tank: 140 litres
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
Five years roadside assist
