2025 Nissan Patrol Review | Powerful 4x4 for Australian Roads

For decades, the Nissan Patrol has been an icon of durability and strength across Australia’s diverse terrains. From the dusty Outback tracks to urban highways, the Patrol has always stood shoulder to shoulder with rivals like the Toyota LandCruiser and Mitsubishi Pajero. The 2025 Nissan Patrol continues this legacy, blending raw power, advanced safety, and luxury touches that make it more than just a rugged workhorse.

Australian buyers in 2025 are demanding more from their SUVs: superior towing capacity, comfortable long-distance cruising, advanced driver assistance systems, and value for money in a market where prices are climbing. The Patrol steps up to meet these needs, offering a package that feels equally at home on a cattle station, a construction site, or outside a five-star resort in Sydney.

Exterior Design: Bold and Purposeful

The 2025 Patrol has been subtly refreshed while retaining the imposing stance that defines its presence. Its bold chrome grille, sharp LED headlamps, and muscular wheel arches create a road-commanding image.

• Front Profile: The updated V-motion grille with integrated LED DRLs ensures a modern, confident face.
• Side View: Large 18-inch to 20-inch alloy wheel options, strong character lines, and roof rails underscore practicality and style.
• Rear: Sleek LED taillights and a redesigned tailgate give it a more contemporary finish.

Though competitors like the LandCruiser 300 lean towards minimalism, the Patrol proudly holds onto a bold, almost military-like silhouette – a look that appeals to buyers who want an SUV that looks as tough as it drives.

Interior Comfort and Luxury

Step inside the 2025 Nissan Patrol, and you’ll quickly realise this is more than a rugged off-roader. Nissan has elevated the cabin experience:

• Seating: Plush leather upholstery with ventilated and heated options. Front seats offer eight-way power adjustment, while second-row passengers enjoy captain-style comfort in higher trims.
• Technology: A 12.3-inch central infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto brings modern connectivity.
• Audio: A premium Bose sound system with 13 speakers delivers rich sound for long drives.
• Space: With its generous dimensions, the Patrol accommodates seven or eight passengers comfortably, while its flat-folding rear seats create cavernous cargo space.

The Patrol’s cabin is quiet thanks to improved insulation, making it a relaxing companion for highway touring.

Engine and Performance

At the heart of the Patrol is its renowned 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine.

• Power: Producing around 298 kW and 560 Nm of torque, it’s one of the most powerful naturally aspirated engines in the large SUV class.
• Transmission: A smooth 7-speed automatic gearbox paired with an intelligent four-wheel drive system.
• Acceleration: Despite its hefty weight, it delivers respectable 0–100 km/h times, thanks to its immense torque.

Where the Patrol shines is in towing and off-road performance. With a braked towing capacity of 3,500 kg, it’s built for hauling caravans, boats, or trailers across long distances – a critical need for many Australian families.

Off-Road Capability

The Patrol remains one of the most capable off-roaders available today. Key features include:

• All-Mode 4x4 System with selectable modes for sand, rock, snow, and more.
• Hydraulic Body Motion Control which reduces body roll and improves ride comfort.
• Ground Clearance of nearly 275 mm, ensuring safe navigation over rocks and water crossings.
• Approach/Departure Angles optimised for steep tracks.

In the Outback, where conditions can change quickly, the Patrol’s advanced 4x4 system gives drivers confidence that few rivals can match.

Fuel Economy and Efficiency

Fuel consumption remains the Patrol’s biggest drawback. The large V8 isn’t shy at the bowser, averaging around 14–16L/100 km depending on driving conditions.

However, for buyers who prioritise strength and reliability over efficiency, the trade-off feels acceptable. In fact, many Australians argue that for long highway runs and remote towing, a big naturally aspirated petrol engine provides peace of mind compared to downsized turbos or hybrid setups.

Technology and Features

Nissan has modernised the Patrol’s feature list for 2025, ensuring it appeals to tech-savvy buyers.

• Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, built-in navigation, and over-the-air updates.
• Driver Assistance: Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Safety: A five-star ANCAP rating is backed by a full suite of airbags, 360-degree cameras, and intelligent emergency braking.
• Convenience: Keyless entry, push-button start, wireless phone charging, and multiple USB-C outlets.

Trim Levels and Pricing in Australia

The 2025 Patrol is offered in multiple trims, typically starting with the Ti and topping out with the Ti-L luxury model.

• Patrol Ti: Leather seating, advanced infotainment, and strong 4x4 capability.
• Patrol Ti-L: Adds premium features such as sunroof, rear entertainment screens, more advanced driver aids, and high-end audio.

Pricing in Australia generally starts around $90,000 drive-away, climbing closer to $110,000–$120,000 for the Ti-L. This makes it a direct competitor to the Toyota LandCruiser 300, though the Patrol often undercuts its rival by several thousand dollars.

On-Road Driving Experience

The Patrol might be heavy, but its V8 engine and hydraulic suspension make highway cruising a pleasure. The cabin remains calm even at 110 km/h, and the Bose sound system turns long drives into enjoyable journeys.

Urban driving is a different story. The Patrol’s size makes it challenging in tight car parks and congested city streets. Still, its parking sensors, cameras, and turning circle improvements for 2025 help mitigate this.

Ownership and Maintenance

Owning a Patrol in 2025 is about reliability and confidence.

• Warranty: Nissan Australia offers a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
• Servicing: Capped-price servicing helps owners budget effectively. Service intervals are typically set at 10,000–15,000 km.
• Resale Value: The Patrol’s resale is strong, especially in rural and regional markets where demand for durable 4x4s remains high.

Comparisons: Patrol vs Rivals

The Patrol’s biggest rival remains the Toyota LandCruiser 300. While the LandCruiser has moved to a turbo-diesel V6, the Patrol sticks with a big petrol V8. This split highlights two buyer camps: those who want efficiency vs those who want simplicity and brute force.

Other rivals include:

• Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – cheaper but smaller and less powerful.
• Land Rover Defender – premium but significantly more expensive.
• Ford Everest – popular among families but can’t match the Patrol’s sheer presence.

Who Should Buy the 2025 Nissan Patrol?

• Adventurers needing unmatched off-road confidence.
• Caravan and boat owners who want reliable towing strength.
• Large families desiring comfort, space, and luxury touches.
• Buyers outside cities where fuel costs are less of a concern and size is an advantage.

For inner-city dwellers who mostly commute and do light weekend driving, a smaller SUV or hybrid might make more sense. But for those who truly want an SUV that can go anywhere, the Patrol is still one of the best.

Final Verdict

The 2025 Nissan Patrol is not perfect – it’s thirsty, large, and unapologetically old-school in some respects. But that’s precisely why many Australians love it. It delivers brute strength, simple reliability, and luxurious comfort in a package that rivals struggle to match.

For buyers who want a powerful 4x4 that feels equally ready for school runs and Simpson Desert crossings, the Patrol deserves serious consideration.