Nissan Patrol 2012 review

Just like it's done with the Navara ute, Nissan will continue to sell its older Patrol after the new model arrives in the new year. The main reason is that the new Y62 Patrol is not available with a diesel engine as yet and from all accounts may never be. The old one is in fact it's diesel only these days but it's 15 years old.

Patrol has always played second fiddle to Toyota's Landcruiser. It's always been cheaper and more truck-like alternative, with part-time, instead of fulltime four wheel drive. But the new Patrol has been designed to take the fight right up to the ‘King', with a more luxurious offering that's larger and more powerful. In the ‘mine’s bigger than yours’ 4x4 world the new Patrol outguns its major rival in just about every department.

Value

Built in Japan, the new Patrol makes an appearance at the Sydney motor show next month but does not go on sale until January. There will be three grades: ST-L and Ti (both 8 seat) and Ti-L (7 seat). Prices have not been announced but we're told the ST-L will be less than $85,000, the Ti less than $95,000 and the Ti-L less than $115,000.

This mirrors Landcruiser pricing, from $83,000 through to $113,000 for its petrol V8 (which incidentally accounts for just 6 per cent of Landcruiser sales).

Technology

With fuel economy so important these days, it beggars belief there is still a market for a big, heavy 4x4 wagon with a thumping great 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine at least in this country. With 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque, the direct injection V8 is smooth and powerful and can tow a 3.5 tonne load without batting an eyelid but it's going to be expensive to run.

The V8 is hooked up to a 7-speed auto with manual shift control and sits on a ladder chassis with on independent, double wishbone suspension front and back  18 inch wheels are standard. In comparison, Landcruisers 4.7-litre V8 delivers 202kW/410Nm and is paired with a five-speed tranny.

Patrol is rated at 14.5 litres/100km, but that's on paper. In the real world, it's likely to be a lot thirstier, with a figure more like 16.5 depending on how you drive. It takes Premium 95 too. In fairness we should point out the Landcruiser 200 also consumes 14.5 litres/100km, but takes Unleaded 91. With a 140-litre fuel tank, this means it's going to cost in excess of $200 to fill, with a theoretical range of 965km  depending again on how you drive.

Plenty of gadgets, especially in the top of the range Ti-L. Standard kit includes fulltime four wheel drive, a new dial-in All-mode 4x4 system and a 2Gb 6-speaker audio system. Front and rear parking sensors are standard along with a reversing camera. Also available are active cruise control along with early warning systems for collisions, blind spot awareness and lane departure.

Ti and Ti-L get leather and a new hydraulic system to reduce body roll. Ti adds a twin rear DVD screens that can show different programs at the same time.

Overseas comparison and design

This car has been on sale for the best part of two years overseas, primarily in the Middle East where the cost of fuel is not an issue. Wood trim is standard in the one ghastly shade of brown. The switch from left to right hand drive has left the transmission lever marooned on the wrong side of the cabin, furthest from the driver.
Bluetooth is standard but you only get audio streaming with the Ti-L. Ti-L gets satellite navigation but it doesn't include SUNA traffic updates like other Nissans.

Driving

We had a brief taste of the car both on and off road at the Mt Cotton driver training centre outside Brisbane this week. The off road stuff was a piece of cake and it rides nicely with remarkably little body roll on the bitumen, even without the fancy hydraulics. We liked what we saw and look forward to a longer drive.

Verdict

The lack of diesel is the deal breaker. They'll be queuing up to covert this one to LPG. Whether it's as good off road as the Landcruiser we'll leave to the 4WD boys. By the same token this one is likely to be an urban assault vehicle  a tower of boats and horse floats, with the occasional trip to the beach.