Introduced in 2010 (2013 here), Nissan Patrol is a competitor for the big Toyota Land
Cruiser, recently updated to the 300 Series. It was also sold here briefly as the Infiniti
QX80 before Nissan pulled the pin on the luxury brand in 2019 (yet again).
There are only two models: Ti is priced from $89,599 and Ti-L, from $103,199 driveaway.
The big difference between the two grades is that Ti seats eight, whereas Ti-L is a seven-
seater.
STYLING
Patrol received a top-and-tail upgrade in 2020 and has just been updated again, but with
only minor cosmetic changes. The latest update brings changes to the bonnet and fender
panels, front grille, LED front lamps and the front bumper.
Ti offers a sporty black grille, while Ti-L (L is for luxury) retains a slatted chrome radiator
grille in keeping with its premium positioning.
Lights are all LEDS, with 52 LEDs for the headlights (count them) and a total of 44 LEDs at
the rear, with front LED fog lights as well.
INTERIOR
Once inside, the big Patrol is a bit like the lounge room in your home, with oodles of room
front and back as well as side to side, with centre consoles for both the front and second
row (front is cooled).
Standard kit includes leather trim, tri-zone climate air with second row controls, power
adjust front seats that are heated and cooled, power adjust steering wheel, and driver’s
seat memory with two settings, including side mirrors and steering column.
There’s also push-button start, intelligent rear-view mirror, off-road monitor, around-view
monitor with emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, puddle lights, cooled
centre console box, side steps, rear spoiler and a powered tailgate.
Diamond-stitch quilted leather seats with added padding provide a luxurious feel, as does
the hand-stitched steering wheel. But the old school walnut wood trim has a distinctly 70s
feel.
INFOTAINMENT
Infotainment comprises 13-speaker premium Bose audio with an 8.0-inch touchscreen
system that features satellite navigation, CD/DVD, AM/FM radio, MP3 and USB /iPod
connectivity with Bluetooth audio streaming.
It misses out on DAB digital radio, plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Two USB charging
ports located behind the centre console and there are four 12V power outlets (front, centre
console, second row and rear luggage area).
Rear seat passengers get two second row seat 8.0-inch screens with headphones and
remote control (USB/DVD/HDMI).
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Still no diesel? How many times must these words have been written in relation to the
Nissan Patrol. It’s going on 10 years since the current, petrol-only Patrol was launched
here and buyers must be wondering what they did wrong to deserve such punishment?
In a nutshell, Nissan says it’s the cost. Although Patrol is sold worldwide, there’s simply
insufficient demand to justify the development costs of putting a diesel in the big 4×4
wagon.
Both Ti and Ti-L are powered by the same 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine, with 298kW of power
and 560Nm of torque at 4000 rpm. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission
with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC).
Power is transmitted to the ground through an Intelligent 4X4 system with electronic 4WD
selection, a rear Helical limited-slip diff, off-road monitor, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start
Assist Control.
SAFETY
Five-star safety includes driver and passenger front and side airbags, as well as curtain
airbags for all three rows and active front headrests.
It’s also equipped with auto emergency braking, forward collision warning, rear cross traffic
alert, adaptive cruise Control, lane departure warning, lane intervention and blind spot
warning intervention.
DRIVING
When it comes to the Patrol any discussion revolves around the sheer size of the vehicle
and the merits or otherwise of a petrol V8. The wagon weighs in at 2750kg, and is
5175mm long, 1995mm wide and stands 1955mm tall, with a long 3075mm wheelbase.
It sits on relatively small 18-inch wheels with a full-size alloy spare supplied.
Off road, each wheel is able to move independently, rising or falling based on conditions,
absorbing vibrations caused by off-road bumps and holes.
Patrol is a monster, that’s for sure, but my wife reckons it’s easy to drive although a bit too
big for everyday life. Apart from the sheer size, it sits high and getting in and out requires
some agility, and use of the grab handles and side steps provided. Older people,
particularly, could find it’s one step beyond them.
It’s super quiet too apart from the noise of the silky smooth V8, making for easy
conversation.
The ride quality is old school 4×4 and the steering wanders and delivers little feedback.
Braking is sudden and forceful.
Front and rear sensors, plus a 360-degree overhead camera help to park the beast, but
the images are too small and the resolution too low meaning that it becomes almost
unusable in bad weather.
At almost two metres in height, that’s without roof racks, be careful about entering
underground parking. It could scrape and you find it difficult to manoeuvre and park. While
discussing parking, the foot-operated handbrake is a pain in the butt.
The “Intelligent Rear View Monitor” turns the rear-view mirror into a video screen which
enables the driver to see traffic conditions behind the car through a camera, as well as use
the rear-view mirror to check on passengers and pets in the rear.
Off road, the Patrol is right up there. The 4WD shift switch offers auto, 4 High and 4 Low
settings with mode a selection of On Road, Sand, Snow or Rock.
Ground clearance is an impressive 273mm, impressive because the new 300 Series Land
Cruiser has only 235mm.
Helping the vehicle to move forward are an electronic rear diff lock, Hill Descent Control
(HDC) with on/off switch, Hill Start Assist (HAS) and an off-road monitor. As always,
however, you’re more than likely to dent the side steps.
With a 140-litre tank, fuel consumption is a claimed 14.4L/100km, but that’s a rather
optimistic figure (it takes premium too).
We clocked up just over 600km at the rate of 15.1L/100km, but that was with a very light
right foot. Around 16.0/100km is more like the mark although, given the $35,000 price
difference between top of the range Patrol and Land Cruiser, that money will pay for a lot
of petrol.
SUMMING UP
Patrol is a big, comfy, well appointed, supremely confident off-roader that can haul a 3.5
tonne van or boat.
It can be a handful around town because of its size, but makes for a beautifully smooth
and quiet tourer. If only it wasn’t powered by an equally large, thirsty V8 engine — one that
takes premium unleaded.
Patrol is covered by a 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with service intervals every six
months or 10,000km.
At an average of 20,000km per year that brings the total service cost to $5482.
RATINGS:
Looks: 7.5/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 5/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 8/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 7.4/10
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Patrol Ti: $89,599
Patrol Ti-L: $103,199
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local
Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Nissan Patrol Ti-L 5.6-litre five-door wagon)
ENGINE
Capacity: 5.552 litres
Configuration: V8
Maximum Power: 298 kW @ 5800 rpm
Maximum Torque: 560 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 14.4 litres per 100 km
CO2 emissions 334 g/km
DRIVELINE:
Drivetrain: Seven-speed automatic with high and low range four-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 5165 mm
Width: 1995 mm
Height: 1940 mm
Wheelbase: 3080 mm
Kerb weight: 2746 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 140 litres
Turning circle: 12.5 metres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Five years / unlimited kilometres
