Earned reputation undergoes
“Truly engineered to tackle every road condition on the planet”
“Head-turner with its refreshed design”
“In every home’s garage in the middle-east, there is a Nissan Patrol!” said Issam
When you spend much time in the Middle-East and more specifically in the Gulf region, you will understand why having an SUV is a must at any cost. And when spending time with lots of locals in the GCC, you will know which two SUVs are considered iconic: what other than the Toyota Land Cruiser for Saudi Arabia and the Nissan Patrol for the UAE. It is noteworthy that the Nissan Patrol has been registering more than 45% sales in the UAE, which makes it the best-selling SUV compared to the Land Cruiser.
Anyhow, lately, I had the chance to lay my hands on the facelifted 2020 Nissan Patrol. Indeed, some execs say it is a whole new Nissan Patrol, but in my authentic opinion, it shows a major facelift. But that’s not what we’re debating. Whether new or facelifted, I consider it a huge beautiful makeover, particularly from the front fascia.
What’s different on the 2020 Nissan Patrol?
The 2020 Patrol include Nissan’s V-motion grille, interpreted in a new way for SUVs. Along with the new boomerang-shaped LED headlights, the redesigned grille highlights the Patrol’s strong and angular front.
At the rear, the Patrol’s new taillights also sport the boomerang shape. They are seamlessly integrated along with a large chrome nameplate and sequential rear turn indicators, which have been added for the first time on a Nissan vehicle.
You can find as well significant noise and vibration reductions, to end up with a quieter, more pleasant cabin. Improved cooling and air flow distribution systems lead to quicker cooling, ideal in hot climates. The new Nissan Patrol also stands out for its extensive suite of advanced safety and security technologies. In addition to the Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies already available, the 2020 Patrol comes with Intelligent Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection and the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning system.
Drivetrain
When it comes to the engine variations, the base 4.0-liter V6 that produces 275 hp and 394 Nm of torque wasn’t changed. The 5.6-liter V8 which produces 400 hp and 560 Nm of torque remained untouched as well. An All-Mode 4X4 system lets you switch modes to handle different on- and off-road conditions. Hydraulic Body Motion Control, available on V8 models, ensures a more comfortable ride due to improved suspension and vibration reduction.
Driving Impressions
No big changes were done except for some infotainment features, safety features and the cabin noise reduction which I felt right away compared to the previous model. In terms of driving, it is still the same Patrol that we all love and cherish. You can drive it comfortably in the city and cross any sand dunes at ease. That’s what differentiates the Patrol. Steering is nimble as it was always. The hydraulic suspension felt restfully decent most of the time. The Patrol succeeded in every obstacle assigned such as sand dunes and bashing. We weren’t able to try it on a rocky road due to the nature of the terrain in Abu Dhabi. Maybe our first regional drive should have been somewhere in Oman where we could have experienced more various terrains.
Verdict
After a 2-day road trip (gravel and sand) on board of the 2020 Nissan Patrol, I can admit that it is still very similar to the previous model but with major tweaks from the exterior and interior. Whatever Nissan does on the Patrol, I’m pretty sure it will remain the bestseller model in our region due to its endured reputation!
Rivals: Toyota Land Cruiser, Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition
Pros: cabin noise reduction, attractive front look, ambient interior cabin
Cons: unchanged V6 and V8 engines, fuel consumption not really improved
4 / 5 stars
One word: Reputable
Specs
V6
4.0L V6, 275 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 395 Nm @ 4,000 rpm
7-speed automatic gearbox, 4WD with locking differentials
0-100 kph: 11.4 secs, top speed: 205 kph, fuel consumption: 10.8 L/100 km
Weight: 2,500 kg
V8
5.6L, V8, 400hp @4900rpm, 560Nm @3600rpm
7 speed automatic gearbox, 4 wheel drive with locking differentials
0-100 kph: 7.3 secs, top speed: 210kph, Fuel consumption 14.5 L/100km
Weight: 2,600 kg