By Alistair Kennedy, Marque Motoring
Like a couple of sumo wrestlers from their native Japan, Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol have been grappling with each other for more than 70 years.
The SUV (Sports Utility) tag really doesn’t fit these two giants, they are old-style, off-roading 4WDs. They’re right up-to-date in terms of engineering and safety but lag behind in technology, although in the case of the latest LandCruiser that has been addressed with the new 300 Series.
The latest, sixth generation, Patrol has been here since late 2019 with a minor upgrade for the MY2022 version that we’ve just tested.
Patrol is only available in two premium variants, the Ti and Ti-L, priced at $82,160 and $95,115 (plus-on road costs), respectively. Both are powered by the same 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine with seven-speed automatic transmission.
The ‘L’ in Ti-L stands for Luxury, not long wheelbase, with extra features including a powered sunroof; roof rails; powered tailgate; automatic headlight levelling; puddle illumination light; driver’s seat memory; three-zone air conditioning; heated/cooled front seats; rear-seat video screens; premium sound system; and front row centre console cool box.
STYLING
The recent trend towards couple-like SUV styling has been by-passed with the Patrol designers sticking with the traditional square corners and avoiding any fussiness. There’s more chrome than some may prefer but to our eyes it really works well.
Sidesteps are almost a must for a vehicle of this size especially for smaller passengers. Wheels are 18-inch all-terrain alloys.
INTERIOR
Unsurprisingly there’s lots of space in every direction inside the Patrol although, as is normally the case, the third-row seats are best suited to children. Patrol Ti is a 2-3-3 eight-seater while the Ti-L is a 2-3-2 seven-seater. All seats are leather.
Access to the third row is made easier with the second-row seats able to fold and tumble forward.
With the third row of seatbacks in place there’s 467 litres of storage space, expandable to 1413 litres with the third-row folded flat. That increases to a van-sized 2632 litres with the middle row rolled forward against the backs of the front seats.
The front seats are large, supportive and very comfortable. Both driver and front passenger get eight-way electric adjustment as well as heating and cooling. The driver’s seat has a memory function.
There is a deep centre console cool box which can be accessed from either front or second-row seats.
The instrument cluster is clear and uncomplicated, and that’s just the way we like it. Everything is easy to find and operate with minimal distraction.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Power for Patrol comes from a direct-injected, naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine that delivers 298 kW of power at 5800 rpm, and 560 Nm of peak torque 90 per cent of which is available from 1600 revs.
Power is put to ground through an advanced seven-speed automatic transmission and a sophisticated, electronically controlled, all mode 4×4 system with settings for Auto, 4H, 4L, diff lock and hill descent control.
The centre console mounted-control knob also incorporates Patrol’s terrain select system, featuring on road, snow, sand and rock settings for the serious off-road adventurer.
SAFETY
Standard safety features include six airbags with curtain bags covering all three seat rows;
Intelligent Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection; Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist; two IsoFix child restraint anchorage points; front and rear adjustable active headrests; Intelligent Cruise Control; Intelligent Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Intelligent Lane Intervention; Blind Spot Warning and Intervention;
There are also Intelligent Emergency Braking; Intelligent Forward Collision Warning; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; front and rear parking sensors; and tyre pressure monitoring.
INFOTAINMENT
Patrol’s infotainment system is showing its age. There’s an 8-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation and traffic monitoring system but other features are limited and, unusually, there is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility.
The audio system has CD/DVD, AM/FM radio (no DAB+), MP3 and USB / iPod connectivity with Bluetooth phone and audio streaming. There are two USB ports and a 12V socket at the bottom of the front console and two USBs in the rear.
Ti has a six-speaker audio system. Ti-L adds premium BOSE sound with 13 speakers as well as two second row seat 8-inch DVD screens with headphones and remote controls.
DRIVING
Getting into the Patrol involves a bit of a climb for the less agile with the combination of sidestep and grab handle coming onto play to assist.
The next chore is releasing the parking brake which, unfortunately, is of the old-fashioned foot-operated variety.
Once underway though, these two little annoyances are quickly forgotten – at least until the time comes to pull up alongside the petrol bowser.
Despite its size Patrol isn’t too difficult to drive around town with the cameras ensuring that awkward spots are handled
On the open road it’s smooth, composed ride and exceptional occupant comfort make it an ideal long-distance cruiser. The 140-litre fuel tank will stretch the distance covered but, with fuel prices soaring there will be a nasty shock at the bowser.
Consumption is listed at 14.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle, we averaged 16.6 L/100 km.
SUMMING UP
Patrol is the most luxurious and sophisticated Nissan offered in Australia and although it’s showing its age in many ways it provides a top-class drive on and off road and can double as either a luxury people mover or tow vehicle for pulling large boats or horse floats.
All Nissan models now come with the five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with free roadside assistance during that same period.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Patrol Ti: $82,160
Patrol Ti-L: $95,115
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.
