Nissan Patrol 2020 Review

The Nissan Patrol has plied Australian roads and tracks for 60 years. The G60 model went on sale here in 1960 and was a rugged, utilitarian beast, but it proved its worth when, in 1962, it took geologist Reg Sprigg and his family on the first motorised crossing of the Simpson Desert.

That competence has underpinned the Patrol's evolution ever since and now today's sixth-generation Y62-series Patrol has been updated again, as it continues the fight against arch rival, the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series.

The two are the sole combatants in their full-size SUV niche and the diesel-only Toyota currently outsells the petrol-only Nissan seven to one, although the Patrol has more than doubled its sales over the last three years, shifting 1951 units in 2019 (VFACTS data).

Now Nissan is hoping its facelifted 2020 Patrol will keep that uptick building, despite a price rise. The base-model eight-seater Patrol Ti is now $75,990 plus ORC (up $3000), while the flagship seven-seater Patrol Ti-L reviewed here is now $91,990 plus ORC (up $2000).

In comparison, the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series ranges from $80,190 - $123,590 (plus ORCs).

For the extra money, the 2020 Nissan Patrol gets new frontal styling – a sportier look for the Ti and a more premium look for the Ti-L, says Nissan – plus refreshed rear styling, along with improved LED headlights and taillights, recalibrated suspension, and three new colour choices (white, gold, and blue) for a total of six.

Both grades now receive power folding mirrors and improved climate-control cooling, while the base-spec Patrol Ti receives a range of Nissan's Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety features.

The Patrol Ti-L receives updated autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert, all with moving object detection, but these features also make an appearance for the first time in the Patrol Ti.

The Patrol Ti also now receives adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with dynamic lane-keeping assist and blind spot monitoring with Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention.

Currently only Toyota's flagship LandCruiser 200 Series Sahara benefits from features such as autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.

With a 2750kg tare weight, the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L is a big vehicle with an overall length of 5175mm. Even with three rows of seating (2-3-2) there's plenty of room for adults to stretch out, although the third row is really mainly for kids.

The supportive leather-accented seating features heating and ventilation up front while the driver's seat has eight-way electric adjustment with lumbar support and memory function, the latter also incorporating the electric adjustment (tilt and reach) of the steering wheel.

A couple of push-to-open panels in the centre console reveal front cup holders and some oddment storage, but nothing of a shape and size that neatly accepts a typical smartphone, despite the twin USB ports at the bottom of the centre stack.

That, I guess, is no surprise for a platform that dates back to 2013 in Australia and that has been produced since 2010. In a similar vein, this latest Patrol still has a manual foot-operated park brake and there's no digital radio, nor Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Second-row occupants benefit from 8.0-inch entertainment screens built into the front seat head restraints plus a fold-down centre armrest with cup holders. There are multiple device charging options and air-con controls located on the rear of the centre console bin, which is large and offers a cooling function.

The second row adopts a 60:40 split-fold arrangement for easy access to the third row, which adopts a similar configuration. This makes accommodating various combinations of people and/or luggage easy and there's acres of storage space – 550 litres behind the third row, increasing to 1490 and 3170 with third- and second-row seating folded. The Patrol Ti-L has a maximum payload of 750kg.

Add in the electric sunroof, the 13-speaker BOSE sound system and the opulent cabin trim, and this is no jacked-up rock-hopper you simply hose out come the end of the weekend…

Despite the lavish interior, the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L has all the essentials required for family off-road exploration, with a dual-range transfer case, electronic locking rear differential and reasonably healthy off-road geometry.

There's a very decent 273mm of ground clearance but the Patrol Ti-L's front lip spoiler does limit its approach angle to 28.0 degrees (34.4 degrees for the Patrol Ti). Both variants have a departure angle of 26.3 degrees and a wading depth of 700mm.

While the underbody sees everything largely tucked out of harm's way, the steel front bash plate isn't the strongest we've seen. There's also a guard under the fuel tank.

All the off-road controls are neatly grouped together on the centre console, with a dial to select between automatic, four-wheel high-range (4H) and four-wheel low-range (4L) gearing. Clustered within and around the dial are pushbuttons for the rear diff lock, hill descent control, traction control and various drive modes: On-road, Sand, Rock, and Snow.

It's a logical layout and shifting between modes and gearing ranges is accomplished quickly and efficiently.

To see how the vehicle acquits itself off-road, we took the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L to the bush north-west of Melbourne, to subject it to the region's fire trails plus a range of obstacles at a disused quarry.

The ride is impressively plush and comfortable off-road, the independent double wishbone with coil/shock arrangement at all four corners soaking up corrugations nicely at higher speeds while taking the sting out of bigger hits in more technical going.

The Nissan Patrol uses what the brand calls Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) to enhance high-speed stability while affording maximum traction in rough going. Essentially this sees a pair of linked hydraulic systems supporting the (retuned) dampers, allowing full wheel travel when you need it and minimising body roll when you don't. It's an effective setup that works well.

The 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 produces creamy smooth power and torque and, with 298kW at 5800rpm and 560Nm at 4000rpm, there's plenty of both. Generally speaking, petrol engines deliver peak performance higher in the rev range than diesel equivalents, but regardless this Patrol still produces plenty of grunt both low down and through its midrange for effective off-roading.

It faithfully clawed its way up steep off-road climbs, the V8 almost seemingly embarrassed by what it viewed as the minor task before it, while it's easy to make even the tiniest of inputs with the accelerator when required.

Of course the Nissan Patrol can't hide its physical dimensions in tighter going but that's where the many cameras and sensors comes into play. The broad expanse of bonnet isn't too difficult to see over but you can always call on the cameras to show the way when threading through trees, avoiding large rocks or when summiting crests.

Displayed on the 8.0-inch infotainment screen, the set-up also offers predictive guides for front wheel paths along with audible and visual alerts when an object is near.

Unlike the older diesel-engined Patrols, a Y62 Patrol Ti-L is not a common choice for those seeking to conquer their favourite 'widow-maker' climb or explore bottomless bog holes. But, when called upon, it has the ability to cart you and your family through tough country with relative ease, and in complete comfort.

On sealed roads that big V8 is a gem, propelling the Patrol's considerable bulk with stirring pace from a standing start and accomplishing highway overtakes quickly.

While there's a little body roll on tip-in, the Patrol quickly settles to deliver commendable stability through the bends. It's still a big brute to guide through smaller roundabouts, but for its weight and size it remains nicely composed in most situations.

There's barely a hint of vibration, even up near the indicated 6000rpm redline, and noise suppression is good. On the highway, when the engine is ticking along at 1600rpm in top (seventh) gear, the cabin is a quiet and peaceful, the muted rumble of the big V8 only making its presence known under harder acceleration.

The Patrol's turning circle is par for the course but the camera setup makes parking relatively simple. And we really like Nissan's Intelligent Rear View digital mirror, which offers a bright and wide-angle view to the rear, and which can be flicked back to the standard mirror when required.

With a braked towing limit of 3500kg, the 2020 Nissan Patrol will continue to find favour with those who tow large caravans, boats, horse floats etc. We didn't tow during this test but given the cabin comfort and amenity, and the strong performance of the V8, it's easy to see why the Patrol is a popular choice as a heavy-duty tow tug.

Of course fuel economy is just one factor that sees many buyers for this style of vehicle favour diesel. Our petrol Patrol's trip computer peaked at 20.6L/100km when off-road, while subsequent highway miles saw the figure settle on 15.6. After nearly 600km we achieved 16.4 measured at the pump, giving a safe working range of somewhere approaching 800km from the 140-litre tank.

The Patrol comes with a five-year factory warranty with roadside assistance and capped-price servicing for the first six services, with intervals pegged at every 10,000km or six months, whichever comes first. The total cost of those six services comes to $3278, or an average of $546 per service, although the amount for each particular service varies.

With the current Y62 Patrol now entering its 10th year, one has to wonder when we'll see the next generation. While Nissan is yet to make an official announcement regarding a replacement, Nissan design chief Alfonso Albaisa mentioned at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show that Patrol was one of several 'iconic' Nissan models currently being scrutinised.

Closer to home, the Patrol is widely tipped as a prime contender for off-road enhancement by Melbourne-based auto engineering specialist Premcar, which is currently converting Nissan Navara N-TREK models to Navara N-TREK Warrior specification. However, like the next-gen Patrol, Nissan is yet to officially confirm the possibility of a Patrol Warrior, or any timing.

While in some respects the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L is showing its age, this latest facelift adds some modest improvements to a proven platform. Despite the latest price hike, this flagship Patrol continues to offer impressive comfort, performance and features for the money.

The rugged diesel-engined Patrols may have disappeared from Australian showrooms but the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L is still a capable performer on the dirt, capping off a well-rounded package that can switch between a variety of roles with ease.

Price: $91,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.6-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 298kW/560Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.4L/100km (ADR Combined); 16.4L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 334g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A