Nissan Patrol 2025 Review

The 2025 Nissan Patrol 4x4 SUV lineup starts at $90,600 plus on-road costs (ORCs) for the entry-level Ti, rising to $102,100 plus ORCs for the Ti-L and topping out at $105,660 plus ORCs for the rock-crushing Patrol Warrior. That spells an increase over the old models of $1340 for the Ti and just $140 for both the Ti-L and Warrior.

Despite these price rises, the Patrol remains competitive considering the comprehensive tech upgrades and Nissan’s generous warranty package, now 10 years and 300,000km (if serviced at an official Nissan workshop).

All variants now come standard with the new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charging pad. This is the main upgrade and something owners – and potential buyers – have been crying out for.

The Ti-L adds leather-accented seats and premium door trims, while the Warrior features a 50mm lift, black exterior accents, and Alcantara interior touches.

A 360-degree surround-view camera system returns from the Ti grade upward, making urban manoeuvring much easier in the almost 5.2-metre-long SUV.

Safety equipment includes Nissan’s comprehensive suite of driver assistance technologies, while the robust construction provides excellent passive protection. For serious adventurers, the updated 7.0-inch digital driver display now includes off-road telemetry with pitch and yaw readouts.

But there are no mechanical changes whatsoever. That means carryover suspension, engine, gearbox – the full box and dice.

As such, all variants retain the charismatic 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 (298kW/560Nm) paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The full-time four-wheel-drive system includes low-range gearing for serious off-road work, while towing capacity remains at a substantial 3500kg.

The V8 engine is the Y62 Nissan Patrol’s biggest drawcard and being naturally aspirated means instant throttle response and robust low-end torque without turbo lag – which was readily exploited on a short off-road course during the launch drive.

Originally launched back in 2012, the V8 Patrol excels at towing heavy loads and delivers the kind of effortless grunt and addictive acoustics that have seen countless traditionalists froth over the idea of an all-new twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 from GWM at potentially similar prices to this vehicle in the Tank 700.

The Warrior in particular makes the most of its V8 concerto thanks to a side exhaust pipe that amplifies the throaty warble. It’s poetry in motion and adds value to the priciest model of the Patrol trio.

The full-time 4x4 system fitted to all Patrols pumps through a conventional seven-speed auto with low-range gearing to provide genuine off-road capability. Slow-speed, high-torque crawling ability (particularly in the lifted Warrior variant) make it a fairly talented trail hunter right out of the box.

It’s also a very good highway cruiser with impressive ride comfort, but it’s the interior upgrades that make up the biggest change to this release, addressing the Patrol’s biggest weakness – its dated cabin.

The new 12.3-inch screen looks properly integrated rather than tacked on, while the iDrive-style rotary controller and shortcut buttons improve usability. Wireless connectivity finally brings the cabin (almost) up to modern standards and the redesigned centre stack with contemporary trim finishes creates a more premium atmosphere.

The problem with the new touchscreen system is that it has limited functionality – and when compared to what’s coming out of China, it feels positively dated.

Build quality and reliability remain strong points, backed by an industry-leading 10-year/300,000km warranty plus roadside assistance. The Patrol’s loyal customer base spans all age groups, with over 65 per cent of buyers now aged under 50 according to Nissan Australia, suggesting its appeal extends well beyond traditional demographics.

At $499 per annum, it’s a lot cheaper to service than its arch-rival, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, while another potential ownership benefit for the soon-to-be-retired Y62 Patrol is its resale value.

In fact, Nissan Australia’s Managing Director told carsales that residual values are set to “go through the roof” as customers realise the last V8-powered Patrol ever made will be all but impossible to get by late 2026.

The fact that it’s built alongside the newer Y63 Patrol in Japan means Nissan Australia is hamstrung in terms of volume too, the company admitting that if it could import a higher volume of Patrols, it would sell them all.

Despite the interior refresh, the Patrol’s underlying architecture dates back over a decade, and it shows in areas like fuel economy where the thirsty V8 can’t match modern turbocharged and hybridised alternatives. It drinks quicker than a sponge in a bathtub… but it’s almost worth the 22L/100km average when it sounds and feels this good!

The exterior design, while distinctive, is showing its age compared to more contemporary rivals like the updated Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – and the new Y63-generation 2026 Nissan Patrol, for that matter.

Tipping the scales at almost 2.8 tonnes and measuring 5175mm, this oversized family SUV needs a bit of room to move, its weight and size making it less manoeuvrable in tight urban environments, despite the helpful 360-degree camera system that is now back in action.

The helpful parking cameras were cast adrift by the stop-gap infotainment system added to the 2024 Nissan Patrol (and now ditched) only 12 months ago.

If you value the character and performance of a naturally aspirated V8 engine and need serious towing and off-road capability, the 2025 Patrol makes a compelling case.

The interior tech upgrades finally address the cabin’s biggest shortcoming, while the proven mechanical package continues to deliver dependable service. For families who regularly tow boats or caravans, tackle challenging terrain, or simply appreciate old-school V8 muscle, the Patrol remains hard to beat.

However, if fuel economy is a priority or you primarily drive in urban environments, more modern alternatives might better suit your needs.

2025 Nissan Patrol Ti at a glance:
Price: $90,600 (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

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