2020 Nissan Patrol is a plush, V8 bundu basher
The 2020 Nissan Patrol is one of the few cars that best exemplifies the opposite of an electrified automotive future. Recently, I was given the opportunity to test drive the Patrol for a few days to discover what the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 rival currently has to offer.
The current Nissan Patrol, which is part of the Y62 generation, has been sold in a number of markets since 2010, even though it has just recently been available in the local market.
Although the Patrol is a very well-liked mode of transportation in the Middle East, which is wealthy in oil, it has had less success on the local market. This may be because it competes with the more contemporary Land Rover Discovery and the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser 200, both of which provide luxurious, seven-seat SUV packages that can go almost anywhere you aim them.
By tempting buyers with updated styling, improved specifications, and new technology that brings the large Nissan up to date with its Toyota rival, which was also upgraded recently, the revised Patrol seeks to repair its less than satisfactory sales performance.
Styling
The Patrol's visual modifications are evident right away; Nissan added what it calls its V-Motion front grille and redesigned the LED headlamps, and the extensive use of chrome creates a commanding front face. The taillamps are designed in the so-called "boomerang-shape" at the back, integrating with a long chrome strip that runs the full length of the rear end. The new set of 18-inch alloy wheels do not change the side profile from the previous model. Overall, the Patrol's design can best be described as divisive; some of the people I spoke with thought it was pompous, while others thought it had a strong presence.
Interior
The interior looks old even though this is an updated model. A console covered in buttons rules the interior design, making the wood trim or, should I say, the plas-teak panels look cheap. You won't feel shortchanged when it comes to the amount of leather and available space, despite the dated interior's foot-operated parking brake.
The majority of the cabin, which has three rows of seating and a large 467-liter boot, is covered in cow hide. You will have 1413 liters of space if you fold the third row of seats down. Amazingly, there is 2 623 liters of space when the two rear rows of seats are folded flat, or enough room for two 29-inch mountain bikes. The first two rows offer plenty of room for passengers, while the third row is respectably roomy but not particularly luxury.
Comfort
In terms of its standard specification, there is a lot. The 13-speaker Bose sound system is superb, and the 8.0-inch infotainment system is competent despite not supporting smartphone connectivity. Expect luxuries like keyless entry, a heated multi-function steering wheel, an apparent modest sunroof, an electrically adjustable steering column and mirrors, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear entertainment is also provided by screens integrated into the backs of the front seats, together with Bluetooth headphones and a controller.
Performance
In the new Patrol, the engine takes up most of the figures. 298 kW and 560 Nm of torque are produced by its VK56VD 5.6-liter naturally aspirated engine. The vehicle has a staggering 272 mm of ground clearance and a 3 500 kg braked towing capability thanks to a seven-speed automated gearbox that distributes power to all four wheels.
Even though it provides a generally hassle-free on-road driving experience, you are undoubtedly conscious of its heft and high center of gravity when driving. Although it is incredibly soft and opulent due to refinement and ride quality, there is a noticeable wallow when navigating corners or when a fast change in direction is required. Although I did not anticipate it to be the pinnacle of driving dynamics given its kerb weight of over 2 700kg, it did take some getting used to due to its size.
With a 4-wheel limited-slip differential and the brand's Intelligent 4x4 system, this car shines when traveling off-road. Toggle the switch behind the gear lever to pick Auto, 4WD-High, or 4WD-Low as you approach your selected off-road challenge. Next, choose your terrain from the Sand, Road, Rock, or Snow modes.
I was astounded at how simple the large Nissan made my neighborhood off-road trip appear. In order to crawl through a muddy portion that typically results in mud throwing and a very theatrical scenario, I used its linear power delivery and massive amounts of low-down torque.
Fuel efficiency
That 5.6-liter V8 isn't exactly known for its eco-friendliness, spewing out 334 g/km of CO2 while claiming to consume 14.4L/km of petrol. The normal rule of thumb when receiving a car for testing is that the manufacturer's claimed fuel consumption figure is optimistic, which was intimidating when glancing at the claimed amount. I'm delighted to report that it only consumes slightly more fuel than Nissan claims; my three-day use came to 15.3 L/100km. When embarking on your next adventure, you will still struggle to get 900 kilometers out of a tank due to consumption and the enormous 100 + 40-liter gasoline tank.
Safety
There is no new car evaluation program that has evaluated the Nissan to determine its crashworthiness. With six airbags, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, traction and stability control, hill descent control, and ABS with EBD, it appears to have the necessary credentials, at least on paper.
The Judgement
The Nissan Patrol is often viewed as an automotive dinosaur, yet from the standpoint of Zimbabwe, there is unquestionably still a market for the Patrol and similar vehicles. There are more contemporary options available with the same features as the large Nissan, but few of them possess the same level of overpowering appeal.
Simply because they are tried-and-true overland exploration vehicles, if I were to visit the more remote areas of our lovely continent with complete confidence and luxury, my weapon of choice would be either a Patrol or a Land Cruiser 200. Given that both products are excellent at what they do, the choice boils down to whether you favor gasoline or diesel, or down to brand preference.
The current Nissan Patrol, which is part of the Y62 generation, has been sold in a number of markets since 2010, even though it has just recently been available in the local market.
Although the Patrol is a very well-liked mode of transportation in the Middle East, which is wealthy in oil, it has had less success on the local market. This may be because it competes with the more contemporary Land Rover Discovery and the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser 200, both of which provide luxurious, seven-seat SUV packages that can go almost anywhere you aim them.
By tempting buyers with updated styling, improved specifications, and new technology that brings the large Nissan up to date with its Toyota rival, which was also upgraded recently, the revised Patrol seeks to repair its less than satisfactory sales performance.
Styling
The Patrol's visual modifications are evident right away; Nissan added what it calls its V-Motion front grille and redesigned the LED headlamps, and the extensive use of chrome creates a commanding front face. The taillamps are designed in the so-called "boomerang-shape" at the back, integrating with a long chrome strip that runs the full length of the rear end. The new set of 18-inch alloy wheels do not change the side profile from the previous model. Overall, the Patrol's design can best be described as divisive; some of the people I spoke with thought it was pompous, while others thought it had a strong presence.
Interior
The interior looks old even though this is an updated model. A console covered in buttons rules the interior design, making the wood trim or, should I say, the plas-teak panels look cheap. You won't feel shortchanged when it comes to the amount of leather and available space, despite the dated interior's foot-operated parking brake.
The majority of the cabin, which has three rows of seating and a large 467-liter boot, is covered in cow hide. You will have 1413 liters of space if you fold the third row of seats down. Amazingly, there is 2 623 liters of space when the two rear rows of seats are folded flat, or enough room for two 29-inch mountain bikes. The first two rows offer plenty of room for passengers, while the third row is respectably roomy but not particularly luxury.
Comfort
In terms of its standard specification, there is a lot. The 13-speaker Bose sound system is superb, and the 8.0-inch infotainment system is competent despite not supporting smartphone connectivity. Expect luxuries like keyless entry, a heated multi-function steering wheel, an apparent modest sunroof, an electrically adjustable steering column and mirrors, and heated and ventilated front seats. Rear entertainment is also provided by screens integrated into the backs of the front seats, together with Bluetooth headphones and a controller.
Performance
In the new Patrol, the engine takes up most of the figures. 298 kW and 560 Nm of torque are produced by its VK56VD 5.6-liter naturally aspirated engine. The vehicle has a staggering 272 mm of ground clearance and a 3 500 kg braked towing capability thanks to a seven-speed automated gearbox that distributes power to all four wheels.
Even though it provides a generally hassle-free on-road driving experience, you are undoubtedly conscious of its heft and high center of gravity when driving. Although it is incredibly soft and opulent due to refinement and ride quality, there is a noticeable wallow when navigating corners or when a fast change in direction is required. Although I did not anticipate it to be the pinnacle of driving dynamics given its kerb weight of over 2 700kg, it did take some getting used to due to its size.
With a 4-wheel limited-slip differential and the brand's Intelligent 4x4 system, this car shines when traveling off-road. Toggle the switch behind the gear lever to pick Auto, 4WD-High, or 4WD-Low as you approach your selected off-road challenge. Next, choose your terrain from the Sand, Road, Rock, or Snow modes.
I was astounded at how simple the large Nissan made my neighborhood off-road trip appear. In order to crawl through a muddy portion that typically results in mud throwing and a very theatrical scenario, I used its linear power delivery and massive amounts of low-down torque.
Fuel efficiency
That 5.6-liter V8 isn't exactly known for its eco-friendliness, spewing out 334 g/km of CO2 while claiming to consume 14.4L/km of petrol. The normal rule of thumb when receiving a car for testing is that the manufacturer's claimed fuel consumption figure is optimistic, which was intimidating when glancing at the claimed amount. I'm delighted to report that it only consumes slightly more fuel than Nissan claims; my three-day use came to 15.3 L/100km. When embarking on your next adventure, you will still struggle to get 900 kilometers out of a tank due to consumption and the enormous 100 + 40-liter gasoline tank.
Safety
There is no new car evaluation program that has evaluated the Nissan to determine its crashworthiness. With six airbags, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, intelligent forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, traction and stability control, hill descent control, and ABS with EBD, it appears to have the necessary credentials, at least on paper.
The Judgement
The Nissan Patrol is often viewed as an automotive dinosaur, yet from the standpoint of Zimbabwe, there is unquestionably still a market for the Patrol and similar vehicles. There are more contemporary options available with the same features as the large Nissan, but few of them possess the same level of overpowering appeal.
Simply because they are tried-and-true overland exploration vehicles, if I were to visit the more remote areas of our lovely continent with complete confidence and luxury, my weapon of choice would be either a Patrol or a Land Cruiser 200. Given that both products are excellent at what they do, the choice boils down to whether you favor gasoline or diesel, or down to brand preference.
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