If you’ve spent more than three seconds on the tracks in the last few years, the name Nissan Patrol will have come up, probably in a heated debate about V8s, independent suspension VS live axles, or how far one made it up Beer O'Clock Hill before breaking something. It's a name that’s earned its stripes in the Aussie off-road scene for decades, whether crawling through corrugations on the Canning or towing a caravan up the east coast with the family on board.
These days, the Patrol’s gone full-size and what Nissan would say is full-luxury, especially in Y62 V8 form, but has it forgotten its roots?
At Club 4X4, we’ve seen the Patrol in its element, and occasionally out of it (fuel stops mostly). Whether you're chasing comfort, capability, or sheer V8 grunt, there’s a lot to unpack. So, here’s our no-nonsense, boots-on-the-ground Nissan Patrol review, tested in Aussie conditions by the people who actually use them.
Overview of the Nissan Patrol
The Nissan Patrol has been in the game for an age, carving its way across Aussie dirt for over 60 years. From its early days as a rugged, go-anywhere workhorse to the high-tech V8 we have now, the Patrol has always had one thing going for it: capability. And lots of it.
What sets the Patrol apart from its competitors is its sheer size and fossil-fuelled power. The Y62’s 5.6-litre V8 isn’t shy, producing a healthy 298kW and 560Nm. It tows, it climbs, and will bulldoze its way through most terrains. Inside, it’s made a departure from it’s function over form predecessors, it’s all leather, screens, and space.
Whether you’re crawling through the Kimberley, towing a 3.5-tonne van up the Bruce, or just heading to a campsite an hour past where Google Maps gives up, the Patrol has the gear and grunt to do it. It's not perfect, but few rigs this big, this capable, and this well-equipped come without a few trade-offs. Let’s get into it.
nissan patrol 4x4 driving through sand and kicking it up
Nissan Patrol Model Reviews
Nissan Patrol Y62 Review
The Nissan Patrol Y62 is the current flagship. It’s big, loud, and packs a proper V8 under the bonnet. Powered by a 5.6-litre petrol engine it throws down 298kW and 560Nm, which is more than enough to tow a large van, tackle steep tracks, or overtake just about anything short of a Boeing.
Where the Y62 surprises most other vehicles in its class is in its comfort. The ride is supple, the cabin’s packed with tech, and there’s room for seven blokes, their gear, and probably a dog or two. Off-road, it’s no slouch either. Whilst it’s stepped away from live axles and now sports Independent Front Suspension (IFS), decent low range, and a clever traction control system, it’ll handle rough tracks, sand, and the steep stuff, though serious tourers will still want to add a suspension lift and other mods to sharpen it up.
Pros:
- Serious V8 power and towing grunt
- Comfortable for long-distance touring
- Well-equipped interior
Cons:
- Thirsty, especially when towing
- Interior feels luxurious, but 2011 spec-luxury. Not 2025 six-figure luxury.
- Large footprint makes tight tracks a challenge
This is the Patrol for families and tourers who want muscle without sacrificing creature comforts. If you’re chasing a big petrol-powered 4WD that’s as happy doing the school run as it is dragging a van across the Simmo, the Y62 Patrol won’t disappoint you… until you cop the fuel bill. Three times. In one day.
Nissan Patrol Warrior Review
Take the Y62, give it a bit of lift, better clearance, tougher tyres, underbody protection, a louder exhaust, and a healthy dose of Aussie tuning from the team at Premcar and you get the Nissan Patrol Warrior.
Its upgrades aren’t just cosmetic. The Warrior’s suspension has been re-tuned for our harsh Aussie conditions. You’ll notice it on corrugated outback tracks and rutted access roads where the standard Y62 can start to feel a bit floaty. It’s still running the same V8, same drivetrain, and same fuel economy (or lack thereof), but it feels more planted and ready to cop a hit off-road without you wincing.
Pros:
- Looks tougher, drives sharper
- More off-road ready straight off the showroom floor
Cons:
- Still petrol, still thirsty
- Limited availability
- Can be hard to justify price bump if you’re planning your own mods anyway
The Nissan Patrol Warrior is for people who want to hit the tracks without spending six weeks in the shed first. If you want showroom confidence and a bit of that Aussie-engineered toughness, the Warrior’s worth a look.
Nissan Patrol Y61 Ute Review
The Y61 Patrol ute is no longer in production and that’s part of the reason why so many people want one. This thing is a dinosaur in all the right ways. Live axles. Coil springs. Manual gearbox. None of the fancy driver assists or digital whizz-bangery. Just steel, rubber, and big diesel-powered determination.
You’ll only find them on the second-hand market now, and the good ones aren’t getting any cheaper. Why? Because they work. They’re basic, easy to fix in the bush, and have enough aftermarket support to turn one into just about anything, from a tradie’s trayback to a full-blown touring rig.
Pros:
- Tough, reliable, and proven
- Mod-friendly with massive aftermarket support
- Simple and honest
Cons:
- No longer available new
- Feels like it was built in a different decade (because it was)
- Not built for comfort or refinement
The Y61 Patrol ute isn’t a 4WD you buy for daily comfort. It’s one you buy to beat the crap out of, fix with a hammer, and drive again the next morning. If you can find a clean one, grab it before someone else does.
Nissan Patrol V8 Engine Review
Let’s not pretend here. The Nissan Patrol’s V8 is the whole reason some people buy this thing in the first place. It’s big, lazy (in a good way), torquey, and has that proper V8 growl when you bury your right foot. It’s not a high-revving, euro-tuned engine, it’s a stump-puller. And it doesn’t care what you’ve got hanging off the towbar.
In real-world use, it tows beautifully. Long hills, overtaking, soft sand, it just pulls. But the price you pay for all that pulling power is, of course, paid at the bowser. Fuel figures hover around 12–14L/100km on the highway, but can easily spike well north of 25 litres per hundred when towing or loaded up in soft terrain.
Pros:
- Smooth and effortless torque
- Excellent for towing heavy loads
- One of the last proper V8s still going in a 4WD
Cons:
- Drinks more than John Daly
- Needs premium fuel for best results and has questionable efficiency when run on Opal
If you want an engine with enough grunt to tow your van across the country and back, and you’re not scared of high fuel bills, the Patrol’s V8 is still one of the greats.
Towing and Off-Road Capabilities
This is where the Nissan Patrol really starts to earn its keep. Whether you’re dragging a 3.5-tonne van to Winderabandi or picking your way through ruts and washouts, the Patrol has the brawn to back up its reputation.
Let’s start with towing. Across both Y62 and Warrior variants, you’re looking at a braked towing capacity of 3,500kg which is the benchmark for heavy-duty 4WD wagons in Australia. What sets the Patrol apart isn’t just the number on the spec sheet, it’s how it feels with a load on the back. That V8 doesn’t flinch, even with a full-size van in tow. Hills, overtakes, headwinds, it handles them without you needing to wring its neck. Stability’s solid too, thanks to the long wheelbase and track it feels properly planted.
Off-road, the Patrol is a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly in a good way. It’s got low range, traction control, and enough clearance to get over most things that you point its bullbar at. The Warrior gets a better approach angle and tougher suspension, but even the base Y62 can hold its own on moderately rutted tracks, soft sand, and rock steps. What you do notice, though, is the weight. It’s over 2.7 tonnes empty, so you’ve got to drive it with that in mind, momentum is your friend, until it isn’t.
The independent suspension is great for comfort, but it lacks the articulation of older live-axle setups, especially in off-camber situations. You can fix some of that with aftermarket lifts and longer-travel shocks, and plenty of owners do. It’s not a rock crawler, but with a few tweaks, it’s capable of some properly gnarly stuff.
At Club 4X4, we’ve seen plenty of Patrols out there earning their stripes, from beach runs on K’Gari to endless red dirt runs in the Territory. One thing they all have in common? They’ll go further than most people expect, as long as you’re not expecting diesel-like economy on the way there.
two nissan patrol 4x4 driving through mud
Practical FAQs About the Nissan Patrol
The Nissan Patrol sparks a lot of questions, especially from folks weighing up new VS used, or wondering if it really stacks up against all the 300 Series hype. So, here’s what we hear most, answered without any fluff.
Which Nissan Patrol to avoid?
Most Patrols have a solid reputation, but if there’s one to go in with eyes wide open, it’s the early Y62s (2013–2015). These copped a few teething issues, mainly thirsty fuel habits and soft suspension that didn’t quite gel with Aussie touring conditions. Later models saw improvements, and aftermarket support can fix most of the early quirks.
How much is a (used) Nissan Patrol?
For a Y61 one you'll need to hit the second-hand market. Good examples are getting harder to find, and the prices reflect it. You can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 - $60,000.
How much does a Nissan Patrol weigh?
The Y62 tips the scales at about 2,812kg, before you load it up with fuel, passengers, or the entire contents of your shed. Loaded for touring, you’ll be over three tonnes. The Y61 ute is lighter (circa 2,155kg’s) which is on par when compared to most modern dual-cabs.
How much is a new Nissan Patrol?
A brand-new Y62 Patrol starts at around $87,000 for the Ti and climbs to roughly $105,000 for the Ti-L, depending on trim, options, and which dealer’s had their morning coffee. The Warrior is more again.
Toyota LandCruiser VS Nissan Patrol: Which is Better?
That depends on what you’re chasing. If you want diesel, resale value, and Toyota’s dealer network, the LandCruiser has you covered. But if you want petrol V8 grunt, a plusher ride, and more bang-for-buck out of the box, the Patrol fights back hard.
Where is the Nissan Patrol made?
Modern Y62 Patrols are built in Japan.
Is the Nissan Patrol a good car?
No. But it’s an excellent 4X4! If you’re using it for the right reasons. It’s not made for narrow Sydney laneways or Wilson’s parking lots, and it’s not going to win any fuel economy awards. But for towing, touring, and getting off the beaten track with a decent load and a sense of adventure, we can’t deny that the Patrol is one of the most capable petrol 4WD wagons out there.
nissan patrol 4x4 on muddy hill
Conclusion
The Y62 Nissan Patrol is one of the last great V8 wagons still doing laps of the nation and it’s not pretending to be anything it’s not. It’s big. It’s capable. And it’s built for people who actually use their 4WDs to go places, tow heavy things, and push beyond the blacktop. Whether you go for the (dated) but plush Y62, the beefed up Warrior, or a second-hand Y61 workhorse, there’s a Patrol for just about every type of adventurer, family hauler, or mod-happy wheeler.
It won’t win any awards for fuel economy, and it’s not what you’d call subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. The Patrol is built to do a job. And it does it bloody well.
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