The V8 petrol-powered Patrol, while a living fossil in the modern automotive world, still has a lot going for her — but damn she thirsty.
The Nissan Patrol is tried, tested and proven to be a reliable, capable and comfortable off-road people mover. For decades, it has had a rock-solid reputation to tackle the toughest of terrains with its petrol-powered V8 certainly having the power to keep going. Add that to the all-round, independent suspension for a smooth ride and a posh interior with wood grain and lots of leather, and you can be sure to be very comfortable inside.
Exterior:
Full-size SUVs have a reputation for demanding respect on the road. No reason for Nissan to change any of this, nor the gearbox, or any other mechanical part. Headlining the changes for 2022 are the application of a new, flat Nissan logo design which will gradually roll out across its line-up, and some darkened trim pieces on the front intakes and grille which features the V-motion design. They did add plenty of safety technology, which is what you would expect from a modern car in that price range nowadays.
Interior:
The Patrol’s cabin feels luxe, gone are the polished wood but replaced with black wood veneer. Some will find it charming, others may consider it dated and gauche. Since the only changes is the modern-sized 12.3-inch infotainment system now with AppleCarPlay. Other than that, the a/c switch controls are a bit different and that’s about it. They still kept the old design of the dash from the previous gen which i won’t complain at all because i enjoy a bit of classic styling now and then.
Engine and Performance:
All versions of the Patrol are powered by a big ol’ 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8 petrol engine, with outputs of 405 HP and 560 Nm of torque. With power like this, dominating every road is almost inevitable, always ready at your disposal.
Having owned a Land Cruiser 200, a diesel-powered V8, the Patrol feels like a very different beast from the moment you press the starter button. It fires up with that distinctive V8 petrol growl but then quickly settles into a muted, subdued burble. There’s an old-school feel to it, in a good way. That old-school feel carries over to the bulk of the drive experience, too.
The Patrol feels as huge as it appears from behind the wheel, with to its enormous, boxy ladder-frame SUV and powerful V8 engine up front. The Patrol feels like a land yacht because its light steering and substantial body heaviness, but that doesn't mean it's clumsy or uninspiring to drive - rather the contrary. It's extremely enjoyable.
You feel like you’re the King of the Road in this thing, possibly more than you would in the Land Cruiser because of the Nissan’s heft. A commanding driving position, light driver controls, and that petrol engine make the Patrol charming, with that V8 growl putting a smile on your face whether you’re in town or roaring up to expressway speeds.
Safety and Practicality:
The most significant update to the Patrol is the tech. The new Patrol now has features such as the Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Forward Collision Braking, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Lane Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Blindspot Intervention, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist, in addition to the Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control.
Second-row accommodation is very generous, as you’d expect from a vehicle measuring 5175mm long with a 3075mm wheelbase. The seats are comfortable, and the bench is nice and wide so seating three across shouldn’t be much of a squeeze. There’s rear climate controls, a dual-screen entertainment system and a fold-down centre armrest. There’s ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions, with top-tether points on the outboard pews as well as the driver’s side seat in the third row.
With all three rows in play there’s 467L of boot space, expanding to 1413L with the third row folded – these measurements are to the roofline not to the top of the seatbacks. Tumble the second row and there’s 2623L. Worth noting is that the third row doesn’t fold completely flat, and there’s a bit of a gap between the third-row seatbacks and the second-row seat bases when you tumble them forward.
Verdict:
Just about every aspect of this car is a throwback, from the drivetrain to the design and interior appointments. It’s really starting to show its age.
But that’s precisely the appeal, even a decade on from this generation’s initial launch. It’s for the type of person who isn’t persuaded by downsizing, turbocharging, or the latest tech.
The Patrol is loud and proud, and it does exactly what it says. It can go almost anywhere and haul almost anything - as long as you don't run out of gas along the way.
For what it’s worth, you can have a decked-out Patrol for less than a base Land Cruiser 300 VX and not have uncertainty around delivery times. Relative to competitors, it’s something of a bargain.
Price:
Nissan Patrol Royale: ₱4,548,000
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