- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 8 seats
- Engine
5.6i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
298kW, 560Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 14.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2013 Nissan Patrol ST-L Snapshot Review
2013 NISSAN PATROL REVIEW
Vehicle Style: Upper-large SUV
Engine/trans: 5.6 litre petrol V8/seven-speed auto
Power/torque: 298kW/560Nm
Price: $82,200 (plus on-roads)
Fuel Economy listed: 14.5 l/100km | tested: 21.2 l/100km
This is a Snapshot Review of the new Nissan Patrol. See our Patrol page for additional reviews.
OVERVIEW
When Nissan confirmed that it would be bringing the new Y62 Patrol to Australia as a petrol-only model, it raised eyebrows.
Here is a car that weighs 2.6 tonnes plus. Charging a 5.6 litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 with the task of hauling all that mass brings about a predictable result - a rapidly emptying wallet at the bowser.
It’s not such a huge deal in the Y62 Patrol’s primary market, the Middle East, but here in the land of ever-escalating fuel prices the absence of a diesel is a huge stumbling block.
Especially as the Patrol’s only direct competitor, the LC200 Toyota Landcruiser, comes with the choice of a diesel powertrain.
Nissan still has the Y61 Patrol for those who want a diesel, but it’s a far more utilitarian thing than the more comfortable, more spacious Y62.
So just how thirsty is it? We subjected a base model Patrol ST-L to a week of mainly urban driving to see how it stacks up.
THE INTERIOR
This tester may be the base model, but we have no complaints about the quality, materials or construction of the cabin.
The soft velour upholstery is perfect for cold weather, there’s heaps of space for seven adults (or five adults and three kids) and all cabin fittings have a premium upmarket feel.
Luxuries like tri-zone climate control are also handy, and so are the four 12-volt outlets dotted throughout the cabin.
But there’s no sat-nav. In fact, you need to hop up to the $113,900 Patrol Ti-L before you see nav in a Y62.
That’s perhaps a serious oversight given the Landcruiser 200 comes with nav as standard in every model.
ON THE ROAD
Let’s get this out of the way: the Patrol is phenomenally thirsty.
During a mix of roughly 60 percent urban and 40 percent freeway driving, the Patrol ST-L returned an average of 21.2 litres. And that was without any needlessly aggressive throttle applications.
It’s simply a fish out of water when plonked into suburbia.
The fuel burned during stop-and-go driving is simply obscene, and although the Patrol’s V8 is wonderfully smooth and exceptionally muscular, it guzzles gas at an unacceptable rate.
Put it on a freeway, and it’s much happier.
The big V8 lopes along at low rpm and the Patrol eats up the miles with ease. It’s almost purpose-built for towing, and with a maximum tow rating of 3500kg the Patrol is well-suited to the task.
With a 140 litre tank, there’s also a potential cruising range in excess of 1000km.
It’s also very comfortable and quiet on road. The suspension is soft but keeps the Patrol’s substantial weight in check and the transmission is ultra-smooth through the gears.
This is a Snapshot Review of the new Nissan Patrol. See our Patrol page for additional reviews.
TMR VERDICT | OVERALL RATING: 3/5
If you plan on using your Patrol as an everyday family hack, be prepared for a colossal fuel bill.
But, if you travel long distances and need the Patrol’s impressive off-road ability, long distance comfort and/or towing capacity, it could make sense for you.
There’s some gaps in the Patrol ST-L’s standard equipment list though, and they’ll need to be plugged before we’d consider it a genuinely compelling rival to the Toyota Landcruiser GXL - even though the Patrol boasts more power and more torque.
- Patrol | Nissan | 4WDs | SUVs | Family Cars
Pricing
- Patrol ST-L - $82,200 ($90,500 drive-away)
- Patrol Ti - $92,850 ($101,680 drive-away)
- Patrol Ti-L - $113,900 ($123,780 drive-away)
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