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    Home  /  Nissan  /  Patrol  /  Nissan Patrol Y62 2014 Review

    Nissan Patrol Y62 2014 Review

    Big and imposing, you get a lot for your money with the Nissan Patrol.
    EXPERT RATING
    6
    Nissan Patrol Y62 Series is the largest and most expensive off-road wagon ever made by the Japanese giant, a giant with a long history in the 4WD and SUV fields.  Listed from $82,690 to $114,490, the latest Nissan Patrol is competing against upmarket vehicles such as the Toyota LandCruiser Sahara, Lexus LX570, and
    Ewan Kennedy
    Ewan Kennedy
    Contributing Journalist
    Marque Motoring
    2 Sep 2014 • 4 min read
    Book a Test Drive Download a Brochure Find Out More

    Nissan Patrol Y62 Series is the largest and most expensive off-road wagon ever made by the Japanese giant, a giant with a long history in the 4WD and SUV fields. 

    Listed from $82,690 to $114,490, the latest Nissan Patrol is competing against upmarket vehicles such as the Toyota LandCruiser Sahara, Lexus LX570, and even the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. 

    Though the Patrol is aimed squarely at the upper luxury SUV market, the company that’s been building serious 4WDs for decades has made sure it’s capable of handling serious off-road conditions and has a 3500 kg towing capacity.

    As with its luxury rivals, there’s that contradiction with the big Nissan Patrol of having lots of off-road capability, but being so expensive that you would be worried about causing of damage by taking it into challenging areas. Ah well, the choice is yours, and it’s a free country...

    • Nissan Patrol is one of the best-known and longest established nameplates on the Australian 4WD scene having been on sale here for almost 50 years. Nissan Patrol is one of the best-known and longest established nameplates on the Australian 4WD scene having been on sale here for almost 50 years.
    • Not svelte, nor particularly stylish, the behemoth wagon doesn't shrink once within - space in most directions is more than ample for seven adults. Not svelte, nor particularly stylish, the behemoth wagon doesn't shrink once within - space in most directions is more than ample for seven adults.
    • The new off-road flagship for Nissan - the first time Patrol has been offered with a V8 powerplant over inline-six-cylinder petrol propulsion - is a PULP-only proposition. The new off-road flagship for Nissan - the first time Patrol has been offered with a V8 powerplant over inline-six-cylinder petrol propulsion - is a PULP-only proposition.
    • No cheap-as-chips off-roading here, but in metal-for-money terms the new Patrol might be considered ''value''. No cheap-as-chips off-roading here, but in metal-for-money terms the new Patrol might be considered ''value''.
    • The entry-level eight-seater ST-L will start from $82,200, with a jump to $92,850 for the mid-spec Ti and $113,900 is the ask for the flagship Ti-L, which drops its seat count to seven. The entry-level eight-seater ST-L will start from $82,200, with a jump to $92,850 for the mid-spec Ti and $113,900 is the ask for the flagship Ti-L, which drops its seat count to seven.
    • There's no shortage of clever bits - the 5.6-litre V8 has direct injection, four valves per cylinder, double overhead cams and variable valve timing and lift system. There's no shortage of clever bits - the 5.6-litre V8 has direct injection, four valves per cylinder, double overhead cams and variable valve timing and lift system.
    • The new Patrol has a it peak power of 298kW and 560Nm of torque, the latter on offer at a slightly peaky 4000, although Nissan says 90 per cent of that is on offer from 1600 rpm. The new Patrol has a it peak power of 298kW and 560Nm of torque, the latter on offer at a slightly peaky 4000, although Nissan says 90 per cent of that is on offer from 1600 rpm.
    • Fuel use of 14.5 litres per 100km - says Nissan - is 15 per cent better than the 4.8-litre six-cylinder, but it will still need a big sip from the 140-litre fuel tank. Fuel use of 14.5 litres per 100km - says Nissan - is 15 per cent better than the 4.8-litre six-cylinder, but it will still need a big sip from the 140-litre fuel tank.
    • A seven-speed auto puts the drive to the full-time (but rear-biased) 4WD system, which has limited slip and lockable rear differential, as well as specific terrain modes, hill descent control and low range. A seven-speed auto puts the drive to the full-time (but rear-biased) 4WD system, which has limited slip and lockable rear differential, as well as specific terrain modes, hill descent control and low range.
    • Big, squared-off (particularly when viewed from the stumpy rear) and wide, the new Patrol takes up a lot of space and nothing in the looks helps suggest otherwise. Big, squared-off (particularly when viewed from the stumpy rear) and wide, the new Patrol takes up a lot of space and nothing in the looks helps suggest otherwise.
    • The seven-speed auto (an in-house Nissan transmission) is a slick-shifter that will hold a gear in manual shift mode and the all-wheel drive system feels capable of shifting drive quickly and effectively in off-road terrain. The seven-speed auto (an in-house Nissan transmission) is a slick-shifter that will hold a gear in manual shift mode and the all-wheel drive system feels capable of shifting drive quickly and effectively in off-road terrain.
    • As yet untested by the NCAP crew, the new Patrol gets front, side and curtain airbags, active front headrests, and front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, lap sash seatbelts for all three seating rows. Stability and traction control, hill start and descent control are all standard, with the mid-spec Ti getting guide-lines for the reversing camera set-up. As yet untested by the NCAP crew, the new Patrol gets front, side and curtain airbags, active front headrests, and front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, lap sash seatbelts for all three seating rows. Stability and traction control, hill start and descent control are all standard, with the mid-spec Ti getting guide-lines for the reversing camera set-up.
    • Anyone in the market for a cavernous kid-carter that sounds delicious, your ride has arrived. Anyone in the market for a cavernous kid-carter that sounds delicious, your ride has arrived.
    • The velour trim in the ST-L looks a little outdated and appears likely to show wear and tear quickly. The velour trim in the ST-L looks a little outdated and appears likely to show wear and tear quickly.
    • The transmission selector remains placed for a left-hand drive set-up and on the incorrect side of the transmission tunnel for our side. The transmission selector remains placed for a left-hand drive set-up and on the incorrect side of the transmission tunnel for our side.
    • Finsihes are clean and simple - the way 'some people' like it. Finsihes are clean and simple - the way 'some people' like it.
    • Cabin space is considerable, build quality feels first-rate (as do the materials) and feel is solid (aside from the odd trim in the ST-L), it's a quiet and comfortable interior. Cabin space is considerable, build quality feels first-rate (as do the materials) and feel is solid (aside from the odd trim in the ST-L), it's a quiet and comfortable interior.
    • The V8 is a gem - there's simply no other way to describe it - producing peak power of 298kW at 5800rpm, with maximum torque of at 560Nm at a somewhat-high 4000rpm, although 90 per cent is on offer from 1600rpm. The V8 is a gem - there's simply no other way to describe it - producing peak power of 298kW at 5800rpm, with maximum torque of at 560Nm at a somewhat-high 4000rpm, although 90 per cent is on offer from 1600rpm.
    • The soundtrack is more than pleasant, as is the push in the back, but given it's shifting almost three tonnes (in the Ti-L) there's punishment at the pump - Nissan says ADR of 14.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle but expect plenty more than that if you're towing (up to 3500kg braked) or dwelling around town. The soundtrack is more than pleasant, as is the push in the back, but given it's shifting almost three tonnes (in the Ti-L) there's punishment at the pump - Nissan says ADR of 14.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle but expect plenty more than that if you're towing (up to 3500kg braked) or dwelling around town.
    • The seven-speed auto (an in-house Nissan transmission) is a slick-shifter that will hold a gear in manual shift mode and the all-wheel drive system feels capable of shifting drive quickly and effectively in off-road terrain. The seven-speed auto (an in-house Nissan transmission) is a slick-shifter that will hold a gear in manual shift mode and the all-wheel drive system feels capable of shifting drive quickly and effectively in off-road terrain.
    • It's been a long time coming and in some ways worth the wait for big off-roader buyers to have an alternative to the LandCruiser. The lack of a diesel won't do it any favours - particularly in rural areas, if the comments from passers-by are indicative - but for some there's nothing quite like a V8. It's been a long time coming and in some ways worth the wait for big off-roader buyers to have an alternative to the LandCruiser. The lack of a diesel won't do it any favours - particularly in rural areas, if the comments from passers-by are indicative - but for some there's nothing quite like a V8.
    • Ride comfort is outstanding. The quietness and the plush nature of the Patrol puts it almost into prestige-car league. Ride comfort is outstanding. The quietness and the plush nature of the Patrol puts it almost into prestige-car league.
    • The steering is typically over-assisted and the numerous turns required interrupt the sensory nature of the drive and serve to enforce just how big this thing is. The engine is sweet. The steering is typically over-assisted and the numerous turns required interrupt the sensory nature of the drive and serve to enforce just how big this thing is. The engine is sweet.
    • It tells you through the auto's torque converter wind-up that it's hauling about 3-tonnes but still manages to be responsive and deliver a delightful V8 burble, first as a murmur around 2000rpm and then upwards to a roar around 6000rpm. It tells you through the auto's torque converter wind-up that it's hauling about 3-tonnes but still manages to be responsive and deliver a delightful V8 burble, first as a murmur around 2000rpm and then upwards to a roar around 6000rpm.
    • No diesel because the US and Middle East prefer petrol. Simple. There are thoughts that, at one day in the future, the big Patrol will get Renault's 170kW/550Nm 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel (it's in the Navara) but that's not confirmed. No diesel because the US and Middle East prefer petrol. Simple. There are thoughts that, at one day in the future, the big Patrol will get Renault's 170kW/550Nm 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel (it's in the Navara) but that's not confirmed.
    • It drives a seven-speed auto then a two-speed transfer case to all wheels. There's a four-mode terrain-assist system that dials up varying off-road conditions to maximise traction. It drives a seven-speed auto then a two-speed transfer case to all wheels. There's a four-mode terrain-assist system that dials up varying off-road conditions to maximise traction.
    • It stretches the wheels out to find traction where other 4WDs would fumble and the low gearing of the transfer case, switchable terrain-assist mode and gobs of low-end torque make it a very competent machine in difficult off-road conditions. All this while maintaining supple ride comfort. It stretches the wheels out to find traction where other 4WDs would fumble and the low gearing of the transfer case, switchable terrain-assist mode and gobs of low-end torque make it a very competent machine in difficult off-road conditions. All this while maintaining supple ride comfort.
    • Comfortable, extremely roomy and a luxurious drive. It's as good on the road as off. But fuel economy and price detract from the cleverness. Needs a diesel. Comfortable, extremely roomy and a luxurious drive. It's as good on the road as off. But fuel economy and price detract from the cleverness. Needs a diesel.

    INFOTAINMENT

    This big Patrol comes in three grades. The entry-level ST-L and mid-spec Ti are each eight-seaters while the flagship Patrol Ti-L is a seven-seater with increased comfort levels.

    Standard in all models are Bluetooth phone and audio streaming; large format front DVD player; a 2GB hard drive music server with six speakers; USB connectivity; and steering wheel audio controls. 

    The $114,490 Patrol Ti-L gets satellite navigation; surround-view monitor; separate seven-inch DVD screens in the rear of the front seat headrests; a memory function for the driver's seat, steering wheel and door mirrors; centre console cool box; Bose audio with 13 speakers.

    ENGINE / TRANSMISSION

    The big 5.6-litre petrol V8 engine delivers up to 298 kW of power, and an impressive 560 Nm of torque; 90 per cent of that torque is there at just 1600 rpm. 

    With that much grunt the new Patrol can make the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 6.6 seconds. Many cars can’t get off the line what quickly. In the real world where zero to 100 sprints aren’t exactly the norm all that grunt is very useful for making light of hills, as well as spending as little time as possible on the wrong side of the road where overtaking.

    There’s no turbodiesel option, primarily because the big Patrol is aimed at the American and Middle East markets where petrol is cheap and money is plentiful. 

    In Auto mode the 4WD system has a torque split between the front and rear wheels on a 50/50 variable basis depending on road surfaces. There are 4WD-High for semi-serious off-road conditions and 4WD-Low for the heavy-duty off-road stuff. 

    Four terrain options are available: Sand, Snow, Rock and On-road at the touch of a button as are hill descent control and rear differential locks.

    Nissan Australia has been smart in keeping the somewhat-aged turbo-diesel Patrol Y61 Series on the market alongside its bigger brother for those who want a workhorse (and can’t afford close to $100,000).

    DRIVING

    There’s plenty of interior space and the sort of comfort levels that you expect from a high-grade people mover. Spend up big and you get such features as wood grain finishes, an upmarket dash layout and high quality trim throughout.

    The big advantage of a vehicle of this size is that even with all three rows of seats occupied there’s still 550 litres of storage space. Folding the second and third row seats gives you a van-like 3100 litres, that’s made even more practical as it has a virtually flat floor.

    The powered rear cargo door is operated by a button on the key fob.

    On the road the big V8 engine is beautifully quiet and smooth, a throaty V8 burble under heavy acceleration is a joy to the ears of those who like old-fashioned grunt. 

    Fuel consumption is listed at 14.5L/100km on the combined cycle. During our test period we were able to get it down into the tens in easy country running, but around town the high teens were much more likely.

    Handling is enhanced through Nissan’s new Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) on the suspensions of Ti and Ti-L models that use hydraulic cylinders to minimise body roll.

    As this is claimed to be an off-road vehicle we took it into steep bush tracks with deep ruts, rocky ledges and steep climbs and drops. All of which the big Nissan Patrol absorbed with ease. 

    Nissan Patrol’s size makes it a challenge when parking, and can be a nightmare in cramped carparks. There are a number of parking aids such as a reversing camera, all-round parking sensors and an around-view monitor. 

    Pricing guides

    $40,495
    Based on 26 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
    Lowest Price
    $18,950
    Highest Price
    $68,987
    See all Nissan Patrol pricing & specs

    Range and Specs

    VehicleSpecsPrice*
    ST (4X4) 3.0L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $26,400 – 32,560 2014 Nissan Patrol 2014 ST (4X4) Pricing and Specs
    DX (4X4) 3.0L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $27,610 – 33,220 2014 Nissan Patrol 2014 DX (4X4) Pricing and Specs
    ST-L (4X4) 5.6L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $39,050 – 45,980 2014 Nissan Patrol 2014 ST-L (4X4) Pricing and Specs
    Ti (4x4) 5.6L, PULP, 7 SP AUTO $40,590 – 47,740 2014 Nissan Patrol 2014 Ti (4x4) Pricing and Specs
    See all 2014 Nissan Patrol in the Range
    * Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
    Pricing & SpecsInsurance Quote
    EXPERT RATING
    6
    Ewan Kennedy
    Ewan Kennedy
    Contributing Journalist
    0 Comments

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    Pricing Guide

    $18,950

    Lowest price, based on 22 car listings in the last 6 months

    See 2014 Nissan Patrol pricing & specs >
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