Nissan Patrol celebrates 70th anniversary

The Nissan Patrol has reached 70 years in production, with the Japanese manufacturer celebrating six generations of the off-roader which first arrived locally in 1961.

Launching in 1951 as Nissan's answer to the Willys Jeep, the Patrol has morphed over the years into the off-road focused wagon we now know. Gaining the comfort of coil springs in 1987 when the fourth-generation GQ was launched, it earned 4x4 Australia's 4x4 of the Year award and making its way onto our list of top 10 4x4s.

While the GQ was the Patrol's coming of age in the Australian market, the GU saw further success after its debut in 1997, winning the 1997, 2001 and 2002 4x4 of the Year awards before ultimately going out of production after 19 years in 2016.

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Les Siviour's GQ won the Australian Off-Road Championship 14 times

The Patrol's on-road success and sales were partially driven by its achievements off-road in competition, winning the Australian Off-Road Championship 4WD Production class a record 14 times at the hands of Les Siviour – taking out the overall Championship title in 1987 aboard a Nissan-backed GQ.

Nissan Australia's managing director Adam Paterson said the Patrol's strengths off-road have been a key factor in its popularity with local customers.

“The Patrol is an automotive legend that has always been at the forefront of its segment, by breaking new ground in comfort and convenience while improving its rugged off-road capabilities and durability with every generation,” said Paterson.

“And, as we celebrate the off-roader’s landmark 70th anniversary in 2021, it is fantastic to look back at the collection of achievements and accolades that have recognised and rewarded the Patrol as being the best in its class.

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GU's introduction in 1997 started a purple patch for the Patrol

“That it is winning awards today proves that the evolution of the Patrol through the five generations sold in Australia since 1961 has continued to meet the demands of its passionate and loyal customer base, while attracting new off-road enthusiasts and adventurous families.”

With the launch of the Y62 in 2010, Nissan switched to exclusively petrol power across the range, all examples now fitted with a 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 which develops 298kW and 560Nm in 2020-onwards update models.

Despite Patrol sales remaining consistent and recovering after a tough 2020 for the wider industry, it is trailing to the Toyota LandCruiser to the end of July 2021, having sold 1745 units year to date – while its Japanese rival has managed to sell 12,159 units, a factor in Nissan dropping out of the top 10 manufacturers last month.

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With the Y62's launch in 2010, all diesel engines were dropped from the line-up (facelifted 2020 model shown)