Nissan has finally taken the wraps off the all-new Patrol SUV. Slated to go on sale overseas later this year, the new Nissan Patrol (Codename Y63) gets an updated platform, fresh exterior and interior and loads of tech. The Patrol will be sold in North America under the Nissan Armada nameplate. The SUV has a lot in common with the stylish Infiniti QX80, which is on sale in select international markets.
- New Patrol comes with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
- Gets a long list of features and tech
- Gets a unique rugged variant that rivals the Land Cruiser GR
Nissan Patrol exterior highlights
The new Patrol’s exterior is a tad less rounded than its predecessor, giving it a more boxy appearance. The face gets a wide blacked-out grille, while the headlamps are vertically positioned and come with an E-shaped LED DRL pattern. The headlamps are connected via a thin chrome bar that sits right above the grille. The front bumper design resembles the Range Rover's with a horizontally positioned air dam.
In profile, it's a mix of angular and rounded surfaces. The glasshouse is large and sweeps upwards after the rear doors. Higher variants will come with a contrast roof shade, along with electrically operated footsteps for front and rear passengers.
The tailgate is upright and features an integrated spoiler with a high-mounted stop lamp. The new Patrol gets vertically positioned tail-lamps that are connected with a horizontal LED light bar and a thick blacked-out trim with 'Patrol' lettering on it. The rear windshield also gets a wrap around effect and the bumper features faux aluminium inserts.
Nissan Patrol interior and features
The new Patrol’s interior is a mix of soft-touch materials, faux brushed aluminium trim, and multiple upholstery options, depending on the variant. The wide three-row cabin gets a pair of 14.3-inch displays – one for instrumentation and the other for the infotainment. The traditional gear selector has been done away with and replaced by dedicated buttons, which are positioned on the centre console below the HVAC panel. A rotary selector for terrain modes is positioned next to the HVAC controls, which have been neatly distinguished into separate zones and can be controlled via large toggle switches that can be used even with gloves on.
The audio system on top variants is a 12-speaker Klipsch premium sound system. The SUV comes with two 12.8-inch screens for the rear passengers where they can stream content and play games from their own devices via an HDMI or USB port. Additional features include a wireless charging pad, USB-C ports in all rows, a head-up display, gesture control for the infotainment system, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, and 8-way power-adjustable front seats, among others.
Nissan Patrol powertrain details
The new Nissan Patrol is powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine with full-time four-wheel drive paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox. This engine churns out a healthy 425hp, which is 25hp more than the outgoing 5.6-litre V8 on the previous-gen SUV, and over 100hp more than the LC300's diesel. However, the Nissan and Toyota engines both produce 700Nm of torque.
Nissan Patrol platform and off road gear
While exact platform details have not been revealed, Nissan says that the new Patrol sits on an evolution of the previous-gen Y62 Patrol. The SUV gets adaptive air suspension on higher variants, along with terrain modes: Standard, Sand, Rock, Mud, Eco and Sport.
Nissan has also introduced an off-road-focused variant of the Patrol, which will initially go on sale in North America. Called the Pro-4X, it gets 20-inch all-terrain tyres, adaptive air suspension, a metal skid plate, and a rear electronic-locking differential, which was available on the previous-gen Patrol in the Middle East. The Pro-4X also gets more ground clearance when the suspension is put in its highest setting. Additionally, the Patrol Pro-4X gets a unique front and rear bumper design that allows for better off-roading – 33.9-degree approach, 24.3-degree departure, and a 25.3-degree breakover angle – and adds to the SUV's tough looks.
The Pro-4X variant will take on the likes of the rugged versions of the Land Cruiser 250 that is on sale in the North American market. Elsewhere, it will be a direct rival to the off-road-focused Land Cruiser 300 GR.
Nissan Patrol Y63: the India angle
Nissan was evaluating the previous-gen Patrol Y62 for an India launch. The brand had also conducted multiple customer clinics for the SUV, but decided against it. The new Patrol can be a formidable rival to the popular Land Cruiser 300 in the Indian market, if Nissan decides to launch the SUV here.
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