Nissan Patrol Ti-L review 2023: Beach patrol

As the hotly anticipated Nissan Patrol Warrior gets close to its big reveal, Evan Spence heads out for some beach touring in the high-spec 2022 Nissan Patrol Ti-L.

JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on value?
• Interior comfort, space and storage
• What is it like to drive?
• How is it on fuel?
• How safe is it?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How much is it, and what do you get?

Pricing for this top-spec Ti-L model Nissan Patrol comes in at $103,202 drive-away, which is certainly a fair chunk of change, while the only other model available is the Ti which costs $13,600 less.

The extra money you spend on the Ti-L scores an intelligent rear-view monitor, second-row seat entertainment screens and driver's seat memory with two settings that also store your side mirror and steering column positions.

Inside, the Ti-L also gets a 13-speaker premium Bose sound system, perfect for listening to your old CDs, as yes, the Ti-L still has a CD player. There are also heated and cooled front seats and a sunroof. Lastly, the Ti-L has roof rails fitted where the base spec Ti misses out.

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How do rivals compare on value?

If we were to compare the top-spec Patrol to the base model GX LandCruiser 300 Series, the GX retails for $96,262 drive-away.

Although it’s hard to call the GX a pov-pack model these days, it’s certainly not as nice as a Ti-L and it’s also not a seven-seater.

The next step up the ladder for the LandCruiser range is the GXL which is more expensive than the top-tier Patrol at $108,652 drive-away. The top LC300, the Sahara ZX sells for $147,704 drive-away. When you take that into account, the Ti-L Patrol is a bit of a bargain on paper.

Another option in the seven-seat full-size four-wheel drive wagon category is the newish Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Jeep offers a plush interior and many more modern features compared to the Patrol, so could be worth a spin if you need the seats and off-road capability. In Night Eagle trim, the Grand Cherokee L is priced from $86,922 drive-away and goes all the way up to $121,782 drive-away for the top-spec Summit Reserve.

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Interior comfort, space and storage

While the Patrol's interior is visually and technologically dated, you have to give Nissan points for creating a comfortable environment.

Even after a four-hour stint behind the wheel, at no stage did I feel sore, fatigued or uncomfortable; quite the opposite.

This thing is built to cruise, be that on the highway or the beach. The leather seats are lounge-like, offering excellent comfort in the front or back, although I’m no fan of the faux woodgrain trim which, as I’ve said in the past, makes you feel like you are sitting at a roulette machine in a rural casino.

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Make no mistake, this is a very large vehicle, which is perfect for both families who need space as well as long-distance tourers who want to accessorise their Patrol with storage drawers, bulky fridges and camping gear.

Technology-wise, the Ti-L Patrol is a bit sad, with the highest selling point of its frankly rubbish infotainment being a CD player. It is not Apple CarPlay compatible and the navigation system looks dated.

One saving grace is the Bose audio system, which sounds good and operates at a nice volume for my road-worn ears.

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There’s a pair of USB points up front as well as two 12-volt outlets, which will get used as you charge your phone and opt to use its mapping instead of the vehicle’s navigation.

In the back seats, the Ti-L has two screens built into the headrests, which you can use to pop on your favourite DVD. See what I mean when I say this interior is dated?

With the third row of seating folded down, the cargo area is simply massive, providing 1413 litres of space. With the third row in operation, you get 467 litres.

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What is it like to drive?

With a claimed 298kW of power and 560Nm produced from the 5.6L naturally aspirated V8 petrol motor, as you can expect the Patrol has plenty of poke to move its hefty frame.

The listed 3500kg towing capacity suggests the Patrol will be a popular choice for those with a trailer and this is a task I feel it will handle well considering the power, handling and braking ability found on test.

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And let’s not forget the sound; this motor is as sweet as a nut when you put your foot down.

One of the first things I test is braking feel and performance, and the Patrol is excellent in this department, as is the engine and gearbox combo. When the going gets tough, it’s great to see various selectable terrain modes and a rear diff lock.

The foot-operated park brake is a bit weird but isn’t really an inconvenience once you get used to it.

It's a big wide car, and you notice this pulling onto a cramped Parramatta Road for example. Once away from the city grind and on the sand of Stockton Beach, the Patrol really felt in its element.

The power, wider track and decent approach, departure and ramp-over angles give the Patrol genuinely capable off-road credentials.

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Not only is this thing capable in the sand, it’s a ball to drive – even though it’s not a petite vehicle.

There’s a reason why the Nissan Patrol is so popular in the UAE; it’s a terrific vehicle to drive on sand.

In terms of negatives, the front suspension bottomed out on a few occasions, so for me, some stiffer and taller springs would be beneficial for serious off-road work, to both provide a better ride and more ground clearance.

Oh, and from experience, you can fit a nearly 35-inch tyre to this generation Patrol on the stock suspension – neat!

So, for me, a small suspension lift with quality aftermarket gear, a set of 35-inch tyres and some frontal protection, you’ll have a solid base for a practical, comfortable and capable family off-roader.

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How is it on fuel?

After a week of highway, off-road and around-town driving, 15L/100km seemed to be the average. However, my official final recording was higher coming in at 16.1L/100km combined.

When you take into consideration this includes urban commuting, highway and off-road driving, that figure, while certainly high, isn’t crazy high.

For reference,  my own petrol-powered Toyota FJ Cruiser with its 4.0L V6 at best uses 11L/100km, and while it has plenty of power – it’s not V8 power.

I expect if you were simply punting along at the posted speed limit of 110km/h on a long highway run, this figure would drop considerably as sand driving certainly puts more load on the vehicle, using more fuel in the process.

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How safe is it?

Sadly, there is no ANCAP rating available for the Patrol. However, in terms of safety equipment inside the cabin you’ll find dual front and front side airbags, plus curtain airbags across all three rows of seating.

Blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors front and rear, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert and radar cruise control round out the safety suite for the 2022 Nissan Patrol Ti-L.

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Warranty and running costs

The 2022 Nissan Patrol is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with service intervals listed for every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first).

Prices for servicing are capped for the first six services:

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VERDICT

It might be getting a little long in the tooth, but the Nissan Patrol is a good thing if you are in the market for a seven-seater wagon with genuine off-road capability that is considerably cheaper than a similar specification of Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

You can't call the Nissan Patrol a cheap vehicle though, and the interior is begging for a modern update both in terms of technology and aesthetics.

On the beach, the Patrol felt completely at home, with that grunty petrol V8 engine singing a sweet tune and offering more than enough instant acceleration to climb dunes or work through soft sand.

It felt planted and rode well, even though on occasion the front end did bottom out when hitting washouts at speed.

On the highway, the Patrol was effortless to drive and I could see it being a brilliant tow vehicle. However, it would be fairly thirsty on fuel if you hitched up a large van and did big kilometres regularly.

If you can live with a dated interior, and don’t mind spending a bit more on fuel (don’t forget that petrol is commonly cheaper than diesel at the moment), the 2022 Nissan Patrol is a rock-solid option for four-wheel drivers seeking a large wagon to use as it was intended.

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2022 Nissan Patrol Ti-L specifications

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