We like
Overall execution, up-to-date interior, torquey twin-turbo V6, improved steering, supple ride quality, tight build quality, hushed refinement, well-tuned safety tech, accommodating eight-seat layout

Room for improvement
Slimmer than expected fuel economy improvement, smaller fuel tank reduces driving range, even larger than before, substantial CO2 emissions for NVES purposes, no diesel or hybrid powertrain option

Overview

 

FLAGSHIP four-wheel drives from Japanese manufacturers occupy a prominent place in Australia’s automotive landscape, with much of postwar development underpinned by rugged and reliable Toyota LandCruisers and Nissan Patrols.

 

While the LandCruiser remains deeply woven into Australia’s motoring story, the Patrol has enjoyed a remarkable sales renaissance in recent years, aided by Nissan Motor Co (NMC) tailoring the product to local tastes, and by Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) moving the LandCruiser further into luxury territory.

 

The sixth generation ‘Y62’ Patrol’s late-career turnaround has been a rare success story for Nissan Motor Co Australia (NMA), which otherwise suffered a torrid decade of sales performance, falling 67 per cent from 79,747 units in 2012 to 26,491 in 2022. The decline prompted NMC bosses to travel from Paris in 2023 to investigate NMA’s performance.

 

Affairs have also been far from rosy for NMC, which endured the high-profile arrest and dramatic escape of charismatic CEO Carlos Ghosn from Japan in 2018. The fallout destabilised the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, resulting in delayed product launches and costly brand misalignments.

 

This is the tempestuous backdrop against which Nissan’s product planners have tackled the task of replacing the Y62 Patrol, launched in 2013 and sustained through extensive updates for more than a decade.

 

The replacement is now ready. The seventh generation ‘Y63’ Patrol was unveiled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2024, ahead of its rollout in left-hand drive markets. Australian buyers will need to wait until 2026, but GoAuto has already driven the new Patrol in the UAE.

 

One factor delaying right-hand-drive Y63 deliveries to Australia was NMA receiving a belated interior upgrade for the Y62, rolled out in May 2025. This dashboard redesign – provided to North American and Middle Eastern markets as early as 2021 – was only recently approved for local models.

 

NMA is unlikely to begrudge extra time to plan how the Y63 will fill the Y62’s girthy, 5.6-litre V8-sized shoes. With 8293 Patrols delivered in 2024, nine times the Y62’s 2017 nadir, the four-wheel drive was NMA’s third-best seller last year, trailing the X-Trail midsize SUV (17,494) and Navara ute (10,063).

 

To preserve the Y62’s strong value reputation, NMA will need to manage the 13 per cent price increase observed in the UAE’s transition to Y63. With the Y62 offered in three grades priced from $90,600 to $105,660 plus on-road costs, the Y63 could arrive between $103,000 and $120,000 + ORCs if Middle East pricing trends are mirrored locally.

 

That would theoretically position the Y63 between the diesel four-cylinder Toyota LandCruiser Prado ($72,500–$99,990 + ORCs) and diesel V6 LandCruiser 300 Series ($97,990–$146,910 + ORCs), placing Patrol in the ballpark of the Prado-based Lexus GX ($116,000–$128,200 + ORCs), which, like the Patrol, is exclusively powered by a twin-turbo petrol V6.

 

The new Patrol is larger than a Prado, a GX, the already sizeable Y62, and the LandCruiser 300 Series. The Y63 measures 5205mm long (with a 3075mm wheelbase), 2030mm wide and 1955mm high. Kerb weight in UAE specification ranges from 2680 to 2714kg.

 

C-shaped LED headlights remain, but the Y62’s softer contours are gone, replaced by broad shoulders, a blacked-out glasshouse, and slab-sided doors in line with current SUV design trends. Alloy wheel sizes span from 18- to 22 inches.

 

In the UAE, lower-grade Patrols (XE, T1, T2) are fitted with ‘off-road’ bumpers to improve approach angles, while more luxurious Titanium and Platinum variants adopt a low-slung ‘city bumper’. A rugged Pro-4X grade adds off-road styling cues, and a recently unveiled Patrol Nismo brings extra power along with a Z Nismo-inspired red-accented body kit.

 

Standard equipment across the range includes a ‘Monolith’ twin 12.3-inch infotainment display, keyless entry and start, three-zone climate control, a centre console fridge, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and reversing camera.

 

The Middle East’s mid-grade T2 variant, likely to align with Australia’s base Patrol Ti, adds roof rails, leatherette upholstery, a power tailgate, wireless phone charging, automatic headlights and wipers, and a rear occupant alert system.

 

An Australian-market Patrol Ti-L would gain features from the UAE’s Titanium and Platinum City, which add 22-inch alloy wheels, adaptive air suspension, leather, 14.3-inch screens, a 12-speaker Klipsch stereo, heated, ventilated, massaging front seats, a head-up display, 360-degree camera, power steering column, and rear-seat entertainment screens.

 

The Pro-4X, equipped with all-terrain tyres, skid plates, and a superior approach angle (33.9- versus 27 degrees), appears tailor-made for local development by Australian engineering firm Premcar, potentially as a next-generation Patrol Warrior. The Nismo variant, which features forged Rays alloys, remains a speculative proposition for Australia.

 

Options include a largely monochromatic exterior palette with attractive dark grey and navy tones, plus an optional black roof. Interior trim colours span black, beige, tan and burgundy. An eight-seat layout and 3500kg braked towing capacity are standard across the range.

 

Driving impressions

 

The new Y63 is an enrichment of the Y62’s realignment of the Patrol’s mission from rough-and-ready in beloved GU form (1997-2016). In a case of wincing irony, the feature that initially alienated Aussies from the Y62 (its 298kW/560Nm petrol V8) ended up finding many fans.

 

Buyers who had come to appreciate the Y62’s understressed bent-eight must now be convinced that the Y63’s downsized 317kW/700Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 is fit for Australian duty. Displacement is down, but power and torque rise by six and 25 per cent respectively.

 

The ‘VR35DDTT’ engine shares its modern lineage with the 3.0-litre unit found in the Nissan Z sports car and delivers a circa-6.5-second 0–100km/h sprint. Nissan claims the twin-turbos offer sufficient heat resistance, while the V6 offers superior thermal efficiency to the Y62’s V8. A scavenger oil pump improves lubrication on inclines.

 

A slick nine-speed torque converter automatic adds two ratios over the Y62’s seven-speed, keeping the force-fed six on the boil more of the time. Much of the core package remains familiar: the Y63 retains ladder-frame construction, full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case, and a standard rear differential lock across the range.

 

The new powertrain is characterised by energetic, early torque delivery and a generally hushed demeanour. That marks a stark change from the way the Y62’s naturally aspirated V8 had to be pedalled to make quick time, with a heavy right boot producing pace and theatre. By contrast, the muscular Y63 is swifter and quieter.

 

In the Middle East, a simpler 236kW/394Nm VQ38DE 3.8-litre naturally aspirated petrol V6 is offered in more affordable trims, but it is unlikely to reach Australia. GoAuto sampled this engine too, it’s not fast, but it is smooth, effective, and may suit a new, sub-Ti base grade.

 

While the Y63’s F-Alpha chassis largely carries over, changes to geometry, packaging and cabling have enhanced the Patrol’s rigidity and freed up space for new technologies. Tokico frequency-selective dampers are standard, and adaptive air suspension is available. Electric power steering now enables modern lane-keeping assistance.

 

Nissan has further refined the Patrol’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) system, which hydraulically links the shock absorbers to limit body roll at speed while maintaining substantial articulation off-road.

 

Cornering posture, already respectable, is now genuinely impressive with second-gen HBMC working in the background. The Patrol sits flat through bends but the major breakthrough is in steering response. Compared with the old hydraulic setup, feedback is sharper and more immediate. Our test car wore 275/60 R20 Yokohama Geolandar H/T tyres.

 

The Patrol retains coil springs and double-wishbone independent suspension at both ends. Ride quality on the standard passive (but frequency-selective) Tokico dampers and 20-inch wheels is slightly firm but compliant. Nissan appear to have engineered in excellent isolation from typical shudder found in separate-chassis vehicles.

 

Plush adaptive air suspension softens the ride of 22-inch wheels on high-grade models, and 20s on the Pro-4X. The system allows ride height adjustment, with up to 314mm of ground clearance in off-road mode, and a lowered access mode to aid entry and exit. Standard coil suspension offers 244mm clearance.

 

The Patrol isn’t a sports SUV, but its cohesive ride and handling could see it outpoint a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series on a twisting back road, and it may even ride more sweetly, at least on first impression, than a Lexus LX. The Pro-4X could prove the sweet spot, combining top-shelf suspension, a high-grade interior, 20-inch wheels and off-road readiness.

 

Our UAE test loop included dense traffic and high-speed cruising at 100–120km/h. The latter revealed two key strengths: excellent cabin refinement and low NVH levels, and well-calibrated ProPilot driver assistance tech, including smooth lane centring with no nagging alerts, enabled by a capacitive leather steering wheel and high-quality sensors.

 

Despite the financial headwinds faced by NMC in the past decade, the Y63 Patrol development program appears to have been insulated from major cost-cutting.

 

Step inside the Y63 and the first impression is visual, a calmer mix of materials (no woodgrain) capped by a radically restructured dashboard. The ‘Monolith’ unified twin-display layout looks lightyears ahead of the Y62, even with its surprise late-life update. The second impression is one of excellent build quality: tight tolerances, and no squeaks or rattles.

 

The unexpectedly firm front seats forgo the Y62’s lounge-like cushiness but deliver superior long-distance support. Extensive power adjustment for both seats and steering column results in solid ergonomics, though some switchgear, particularly the stalks, still feels like Nissan parts-bin fare.

 

The learning curve for using the 14.3-inch displays is shallower than in many rivals. Nissan’s interface is intuitive, and the wireless Apple CarPlay connection proved stable during testing. Physical knobs and buttons remain for climate, drive mode and off-road controls.

 

Second-row amenities include air vents and a dedicated climate zone, though legroom is only marginally better than in the cramped LandCruiser 300 Series. Fortunately, the Patrol’s second-row bench slides and reclines to liberate more space for third-row passengers. The Y63 seats eight occupants.

 

Cabin storage is just acceptable, with a between-seat centre bin that functions as a coolbox on all variants. It’s fed by the Patrol’s powerful air-conditioning system, which coped admirably with Dubai’s 43-degree heat during testing.

 

Boot space is quoted at 608 litres with all eight seats in use, or 1833 litres in five-seat mode, figures that appear to be measured to the roof rather than the window line. A full-size matching spare wheel and tyre is underslung beneath the rear of the vehicle.

 

While the new Patrol appears to be a well-executed successor to a generation that steadily won over Australians, one of the key challenges for the Y63’s local campaign may centre on the very reason Nissan downsized the engine – fuel economy.

 

When NMC revealed the Y63 last year, it claimed the new twin-turbo V6 would offer a 24 per cent efficiency improvement over the outgoing V8. However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency later rated the improvement at just 12 per cent, just half Nissan’s claim.

 

Our testing suggests the US figures are closer to reality than Nissan’s optimistic claims. We recorded around 10.0L/100km on flat highways and 15.0L/100km in city traffic. With the current Y62 Patrol V8 rated at 14.4L/100km under Australia’s ADR 81/02 standard, a 12 per cent improvement would equate to 12.7L/100km.

 

At that hypothetical consumption figure, the new Patrol’s COâ‚‚ emissions would be around 292g/km – extremely high, and already in breach of Australia’s NVES emissions regulations in their first year of operation.

 

While the turbocharged six is a strong performer, it’s easy to anticipate arguments from loyal Patrol V8 fans that NMC should have delivered a more substantial fuel saving to justify retiring the V8.

 

Prospective buyers may also be disappointed to learn that Nissan has reduced the Y63’s fuel tank capacity from 140- to just 97 litres. That slashes the realistic driving range to approximately 970km on the highway or 646km in urban driving, requiring more frequent refuelling than the Y62.

 

Perhaps a long-range fuel tank can be engineered for Australia, or else the reduction could be a thorn in the side of NMA just as it should be emphasising the Y63’s noticeably improved dynamics.