The all-new Y62 Nissan Patrol combines luxury with on-road finesse and off-road ruggedness
Nissan Patrol is one of the best-known and longest established nameplates on the Australian 4WD scene having been on sale here for almost 50 years.
As popular as Patrol is in Australia we are well down the pecking order compared to the Middle East, Russian and USA markets and this led to a delay of around three years in the arrival of the latest, sixth generation, Y62 Patrol here with left-hand drive models taking precedence on the production line. Likewise, engine preferences from the same overseas markets led to the decision to only produce the new Patrol with a 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine.
With prices of the Y62 Patrol starting at $82,200 and without a diesel option Nissan Australia has had little choice but to continue selling the previous fifth generation Y61 Patrol, with its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and $50,000 – $60,000 price tag, alongside the new Y62.
Although it is capable of handling serious off-road conditions the new Patrol Y62 is aimed fairly and squarely at the upper luxury SUV market. Its 3500 kg towing capacity is far more likely to be employed towing a horse float or a luxury cruiser around town than working on the farm.
Nissan has so far resisted the temptation to badge the Patrol under its own, Inifiniti, luxury brand although it does so in its North American markets.
MODELS
Patrol Y62 is offered in three grades. The entry-level ST-L and mid-spec Ti are each eight-seaters while the flagship Ti-L is a seven-seater with increased comfort levels.
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
The big V8 engine delivers 298 kW of power and 560 Nm of torque, 90 per cent of which is available from just 1600 rpm. With that much grunt the new Patrol can make the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.6 seconds.
Fuel consumption is listed at 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle using 95RON unleaded. Given that the Y61 turbo-diesel Patrol uses in the low 11s that’s a pretty impressive number, one that we were able to hover around during our recent real-life road test.
The V8 engine is mated to an advanced seven-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated, electronically controlled, all-mode 4X4 system.
In Auto mode there’s torque split between the front and rear wheels on a 50/50 variable basis depending on road surfaces. The switch then activates 4WD high for semi-serious off-road conditions or 4WD low for the really heavy stuff.
Four terrain options are available: Sand, Snow, Rock and On-road at the touch of a button as are hill descent control and rear differential locks.
EQUIPMENT
Standard in all three of the Y62 Patrol range are Bluetooth phone and audio streaming; large format front DVD player; a 2GB hard drive music server with six speakers; USB connectivity; steering wheel audio controls; intelligent key access; eight-way power assisted driver’s seat; drive computer, dual zone climate control, front, side and curtain airbags, active front headrests.
The $113,900 Patrol Ti-L gets satellite navigation; surround-view monitor; separate seven-inch DVD screens in the rear of the front seat headrests; a memory function for the driver’s seat, steering wheel and door mirrors; centre console cool box; Bose audio with 13 speakers; intelligent cruise control; xenon projector headlamps with auto levelling; power operated tailgate; and tyre pressure monitoring.
INTERIOR
The new Patrol is one of the largest cars that we’ve driven. It’s bigger in all exterior dimensions when compared to the both the Y61 Patrol and the Toyota LandCruiser and, not surprisingly, it’s also heavier.
There’s plenty of interior space and the sort of comfort levels that you expect from a vehicle that can cost in excess of 100 grand including wood grain finishes, an upmarket dash layout and high quality finishes.
It’s functional as well and with all three rows of seats occupied there’s still 550 litres of storage space while by folding the second and third row seats new Patrol can provide 3100 litres with a virtually flat floor.
DRIVING
On the road the big V8 engine is beautifully quiet and smooth – clearly an ideal long-distance cruiser where you need to transport up to eight occupants. Adding to the enjoyment there’s that distinctive throaty V8 burble under heavy acceleration.
Handling is enhanced through Nissan’s new Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) on the suspensions of Ti and Ti-L models that uses hydraulic cylinders to reduce body roll.
As with its luxury rivals there’s that contradiction with the new Patrol of having so much off-road capability but having spent so much money that you’d be terrified of potential damage that you’re unlikely to inflict by challenging it. Nevertheless we did take it into a stretch of relatively steep bush tracks with some deep ruts all of which the Patrol absorbed with ease.
The Y62 Nissan Patrol’s size does make it a bit of a challenge when parking and it might we wise to avoid cramped car parks and do a little more walking to your final destination. Having said that there are a number of parking aids such as a reversing camera, all-round parking sensors and an around-view monitor. There’s also a powered rear cargo door operated by a button on the key fob.
SUMMING UP
This latest model takes the Nissan Patrol into new territory. It’s the most expensive Patrol ever breaching the $100,000 barrier by some way and competing against vehicles such as the Toyota LandCruiser Sahara; Lexus LX570; Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; and even the king of the luxury 4WDs, the Range Rover. Big shoes to try and fill but the quality and performance is certainly there.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Patrol ST-L 5.6-litre petrol five-door wagon: $82,200 (automatic)
Patrol Ti 5.6-litre petrol five-door wagon: $92,850 (automatic)
Patrol Ti-L 5.6-litre petrol five-door wagon: $113,900 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Type: V8 DOHC 32 valve
Capacity: 5552 cc
Fuel system: Direct injection petrol
Fuel type: 95RON minimum
Bore and stroke: 98 mm x 92 mm
Compression ratio: 10.8:1
Maximum Power: 298 kW @ 5800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 560 Nm @ 4000 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with manual mode and adaptive shift control
Transfer case: All Mode 4×4 with electronic 4WD selection. Rear differential lock, rear limited-slip differential
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5140 mm
Width: 1995 mm (excluding mirrors)
Height: 1940 mm
Wheelbase: 3075 mm
Track: 1705 mm (front and rear)
Ground clearance: 283 mm
Tare mass: 2735 kg
Gross vehicle mass: 3500 kg
Carrying capacity: 765 kg
Approach angle: 34.1 degrees
Departure angle: 25.9 degrees
Cargo area: 550 litres (all seat backs raised); 3170 litres (second and third row seat backs folded)
Turning Circle: 12.5 metres
Towing capacity: 750 kg (3500 kg with braked trailer)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 140 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Suspension: Independent double wishbone coil spring, Hydraulic Body Motion Control (front and rear)
Brakes: Ventilated discs (front and rear). Vehicle Dynamic Control, including Traction Control. ABS anti-locking brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution. Hill descent control, hill start assist
Steering: vehicle speed sensitive power steering
Wheels / tyres: 18 x 8J alloy wheels / 265/70R18 tyres. Full size alloy spare
PERFORMANCE:
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: N/A
Maximum speed: N/A
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 14.5 L/100km, CO2 emissions 343 g/km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 2.5/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5.5/10
WARRANTY
Vehicle: 3 years / 100,000 kilometres
24-hour roadside assistance program
