2026 Nissan Patrol V8 Ti-L Review

The V8-powered Patrol is no more, production officially ending last month. We take one last ride in the big brute.

Once a Japanese automotive powerhouse that went toe-to-toe with Toyota, Nissan finds itself in a tougher position these days, and the Patrol is a perfect example of this. This Y62 generation Patrol was first introduced in 2010. The usual model lifecycle spans around seven years, so saying it’s a bit long in the tooth is an understatement. It has received a few facelifts during its 16 years on sale, but it’s fundamentally the same vehicle. And I’m actually quite fond of it.

There’s a certain charm to this ageing Patrol, something the automotive world has seemingly forgotten in its attempts to keep up with evolving technology. Most of this charm can be found beneath the bonnet, although it comes with a rather thirsty caveat. The Patrol Ti-L was the last model standing, asking $118,990. There are still a few available at dealerships around the country, but it’s no longer available to order. While that might seem like a pretty penny, it’s still around $30,000 cheaper than Toyota’s entry-level Land Cruiser.

Don’t fix what ain’t broke

I doubt Nissan intended to still be selling the Y62 Patrol 16 years after it was first introduced, but this mantra has seemingly kept it on the road. While all its rivals have moved to smaller turbocharged engines or even hybrid powertrains, Nissan has stood by its burly V8. Displacing 5.6 litres, this engine produces a healthy 298kW and 560Nm without any form of forced induction. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system.

This engine makes its peak power at 5800rpm, though outright performance isn’t really its game, and the 0–100km/h time of around 7.3 seconds backs this up. Instead, it’s designed to tow up to 3.5 tonnes at highway speeds without breaking a sweat. And while I didn’t load it up during my time with it, the Patrol felt well within its comfort zone, whether that was on tarmac or off the beaten track.

I mentioned a thirsty caveat earlier, and there’s no denying it likes a drink. Nissan claims a combined fuel economy figure of 16.2L/100km. This is high by modern standards, but I feel the official figure is a little harsh on the Patrol, as I only saw that sort of consumption when driving with a heavy foot around town. On the open road, this dropped as low as 12.9L/100km, which significantly betters Nissan’s claim but still isn’t great by segment standards. For context, Toyota claims combined fuel consumption of 10.2L/100km for the turbo-diesel Land Cruiser 300.

If you can look past the fuel consumption, the Patrol is otherwise a nod to what these big SUVs used to be like on the road. With independent suspension at both ends, it rides well, and the hydraulic body-control system does a fantastic job of mitigating body roll. Given the large tyres it wears, you can’t throw it into corners in the same way you can a new Defender, but it holds its own as an on-road cruiser.

I spent most of my time on tarmac for this review, only straying from the beaten track to grab some photos. A quick twist of the terrain selector engages 4H, while another button locks the rear differential. The 272mm of ground clearance was arguably the most useful feature here, as the moguls were larger than anticipated, but the Patrol idled across the broken terrain without complaint.

Nostalgic comforts

On the inside, the Patrol echoes its nostalgic driving dynamics with the type of interior I grew up with. Our test vehicle featured woodgrain-style panelling across the dashboard, and there were more physical controls than I could count. A 12.3-inch infotainment screen is present, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s also a wireless phone charger.

What impressed me most was the analogue instrument cluster. Even in the highest-end driver’s cars, boring digital displays are now standard. So, good work keeping that one, Nissan. The Patrol also featured diamond-stitched leather seats with heating and ventilation in the front row. The second row has more space than anyone really needs, and the climate controls on the back of the centre console are a nice touch. There is also a pair of seats in the third row, although space back there is limited.

The end

Though Nissan’s Y62 Patrol has been holding down the fort for more than a decade and a half, it’s all but gone now, save for the stock still available at dealers. Nissan has confirmed that the new Y63 Patrol will arrive in New Zealand sometime next year.

As expected, the new Patrol brings with it a more efficient turbocharged powerplant that eclipses the naturally aspirated V8 in almost every respect – except displacement. The Y63 uses a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 producing 317kW and 700Nm, the latter made much lower in the range. The new model has also been heavily revised aesthetically and will fit into Nissan’s modern line-up far more easily than the Y62.