Nissan Patrol 2020 Tow Test

While it’s not exactly a bargain at $92,790 plus on-road costs, the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L still works out cheaper than many competitors, most notably the Toyota LandCruiser Sahara that starts from $124,396 (plus ORCs).

As detailed here, Nissan has made some small but significant changes with the latest upgrade of its big, bluff SUV.

Aside from a more supple suspension tune and new nose, tail and alloy wheel design, Patrol gets autonomous emergency braking (AEB), rear cross traffic alert and intelligent forward collision warning for the first time. The all-important safety gear is standard on both the Ti (from $77,760) and the Ti-L tested here.

Sheetmetal up front is new, as is the grille, LED lights (headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights) and the front bumper. The Ti and Ti-L are now differentiated by their own unique front-end styling.

The rear end has gone under the knife too, with larger tail-lights (now LEDs) and a larger chrome nameplate, while the 18-inch alloy wheels have also been updated. New colours for MY2020 are Moonlight White, Galaxy Gold and Hermosa Blue.

Despite other detail improvements, items still not on the spec list include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity or even digital radio.

The top-line Patrol also does not have a digital speedo; the only time you see a digital speed readout is when cruise control is set.

The Ti-L continues with an around-view monitor with moving object detection, an 8.0-inch touch-screen, heated/cooled front seats, sat-nav, keyless entry/start, active cruise control, rear diff lock, a sunroof and a second-row entertainment system.

While you get eight seats in the lower-spec Patrol Ti, the Ti-L is a seven-seater only.

The Nissan Patrol’s safety suite is fairly comprehensive.

Apart from the new features of AEB, intelligent forward collision warning and rear cross traffic alert, Patrol also has blind spot warning and intelligent blind spot intervention, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, intelligent lane intervention and tyre pressure monitoring.

However, Patrol does not have trailer sway control built into its electronic stability control system.

Driver and passenger front and side-impact airbags are fitted, along with curtain airbags running the full length of the cabin.

The Nissan Patrol has just one driveline combination available: a 5.6-litre petrol V8 linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission, channelling drive though all four wheels via a two-speed transfer case.

While the V8’s power and torque peaks of 298kW and 560Nm respectively are promising, it does have to lug around a vehicle weighing 2750kg – and that’s of course before you add payload or a trailer.

Rated with a maximum 3500kg towing capacity, the Patrol can have up to 350kg of that mass resting on the tow ball – but there is a catch.

To use the maximum 350kg tow ball mass (TBM), you’ll have to reduce payload in the Patrol by 130kg. For a maximum 325kg TBM, payload must be reduced 100kg; reduce it by 70kg and permitted TBM is 300kg.

At least the Patrol’s gross combined mass (GCM) allows for a maximum payload at maximum tow capacity; with its 7000kg GCM, you can load the Patrol to its 3500kg GVM while towing 3500kg.

With our Jayco’s 210kg tow ball download, the Patrol rose just 15mm at the front while the rear dipped 30mm.

You don’t generally buy a Nissan Patrol for a city runabout, and when driving in a tight urban environment the Patrol feels big – more so than a Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series.

But get the Nissan wagon out on the road with a van behind and it’s more at home.

It’s a very comfortable and stable tow hauler, with no hint of sway up to a maximum of 100km/h on test.

The suspension does feel a bit too soft with a trailer behind, with long undulations setting up a pitching that, while not uncomfortable, is noticeable.

When loaded up or towing on the highway, the big V8 has to reach into the power band often to keep up momentum. Its rev-happy nature seems a bit out of place in a heavy, lumbering SUV.

Yet when loaded up with a 2846kg caravan we picked up from the guys at Jayco Sydney, the Patrol made easy work of the hills. Yes, it needed a big gulp of revs to maintain speed up steep climbs, but there was still plenty in reserve.

With the Patrol’s seven-speed auto held in third our test descent saw revs rise to 4500rpm-plus but it did result in speed pegged at the limit with only a dab on the foot brake necessary.

Driving unladen at highway speeds, the Patrol was surprisingly economical; under 12.0L/100km was achievable. The stop-start inner-city shuffle, of course, killed economy; do that regularly and you can expect consumption to fly past 22.0L/100km very quickly, even if you drive gently.

Towing fuel consumption over 150km, measured tank-to-tank, was 18.7L/100km. While we experienced quite a few 80km/h roadwork sections on test, this is low for a Patrol towing around three tonnes.

We’d expect a more typical heavy-duty towing average of around 20.0L/100km.

The Nissan Patrol is a great tow vehicle, with a planted towing stance and lots of get-up-and-go for hill-climbing or overtaking from its big V8.

While it is a thirsty beast if you condemn it to weekly stop-start traffic, use it in just about any other driving situation, including towing, and it’s no more horrific on fuel than a large turbo-diesel.

The bonus is you get better performance when you need it.

While the new smart body looks fresh and the new safety tech is a welcome addition, the Patrol still feels old in its in-vehicle tech and presentation.

While you’ll save $30K over a LandCruiser Sahara, the Patrol Ti-L is still an expensive SUV that doesn’t quite look it inside. 

How much does the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L cost?
Price: $92,790 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 5.6-litre V8 petrol
Output: 298kW/560Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.4L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 334g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested