Nissan reckons its new Patrol is more versatile than ever

Nissan’s new Patrol will tow up to 3700kg and offer more room for passengers and luggage when the first New Zealand customer deliveries begin in the first quarter of 2027.

The latest details confirm a 200kg increase in braked towing capacity over the outgoing Y62, with the higher rating applying across the range. Buyers will need the appropriate tow tongue and tow ball configuration, available as an extra-cost accessory, to use the full 3700kg capability.

Every grade will come with Trailer Blind Spot Warning and Trailer Sway Control. The PRO-4X and Ti-L Reserve also receive a standard electric trailer brake controller and Trailer Docking Support, which helps drivers line up the tow bar with a trailer coupling.

For families, the gains inside could prove just as useful as the higher towing limit.

A new sliding second-row seat allows owners to adjust the balance of passenger space between the rear rows. With that seat pushed all the way back, Nissan claims up to 250mm more second-row leg space than in the outgoing Patrol.

Move it to its forward-most position and third-row passengers can gain up to 253mm of legroom compared with the Y62. Those maximum improvements depend on seat position, so they won’t be available in both rows at the same time.

The third row also gains 75mm of hip room and 66mm of knee room. A flatter floor and an extra 84mm of heel clearance for the outer occupants are intended to provide a more natural seating position.

Getting into the back should be easier too. A tilt-and-glide second-row mechanism replaces the previous tumble-seat arrangement, allowing access even with a child seat fitted. Wider sidesteps are said to provide more room to place a foot when climbing aboard.

Nissan says the changes are intended to make the third row more accommodating for three passengers, rather than treating it as occasional seating.

The front and second rows receive Nissan’s ‘Zero Gravity’ seat structure, with high-damping foam in the front seats designed to reduce vibrations over rough and corrugated surfaces. Front occupants also gain hip, shoulder and legroom, along with a higher driver eyeline. Ti-L Reserve adds massage functions for both front seats.

There’s said to be more space behind the seats as well. With all three rows occupied, the new Patrol provides a quoted 577 litres of luggage capacity, up 110 litres on the outgoing model.

Folding the third row increases that to 1594 litres, a gain of 181 litres. With both rear rows folded, capacity reaches 2749 litres, up 127 litres, with a near-flat floor to help accommodate larger items.

PRO-4X and Ti-L Reserve models also feature adaptive air suspension, allowing the vehicle to be lowered for easier loading and unloading.

“The Patrol has always been valued by New Zealand families for its space, comfort and versatility. With the all-new model, we’ve taken those attributes to another level,” said Nissan Oceania managing director Steve Milette.

Nissan’s latest announcement does not include New Zealand pricing, with the first customer vehicles scheduled to arrive between January and March 2027.