For more than 50 years the hardy Nissan Patrol has served in warzones, towed
burger vans and carried children to school. But lately it has faced its
biggest challenge yet: increasing fuel costs and a backlash against 4x4s.
When the current model was launched in October 2004, Nissan’s response was to
slim the range down to a single 3 litre turbodiesel engine, a five-door body
and two trim levels. But in every other respect the Patrol remained the same
— and unapologetic.
At more than 16ft long and nearly 6½ft wide, it’s one of the bulkiest vehicles
on the road. So before you buy one, ask yourself this: do you need a
workhorse? Think carefully, because modern road manners are not part of the
Patrol’s repertoire.
The driving position affords a view to make mountaineers feel at home; there
is enough space for them and their Sherpas; and the 668 litre boot swallows
luggage like a crevasse. Pick the SVE model and you can raise the occupant
count to seven, thanks to a pair of fold-down seats in the boot.
The 3 litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces 160bhp and 280 lb
ft of torque (261 lb ft on automatic models), allowing a maximum braked
trailer weight of 3,500kg — perfect for the horsebox or caravan. Despite its
modest top speed of 99mph, the Patrol will comfortably cruise at the legal
limit with passengers and luggage aboard. A claimed combined-cycle fuel
economy of 26.2mpg is largely confirmed by owner experience, and it’s
impressive for such a large vehicle.
In town, there is no getting away from the Patrol’s off-roading roots. Its
knobbly, high-walled tyres make for vague steering, a fair bit of body roll
and limited grip, but the ride is comfortable, and wind and road noise are
well suppressed. It’s on the rough stuff that this 4x4 shows its mettle;
with the ability to wade to a depth of more than 2ft, locking differentials
and a low-ratio transfer box, the Patrol can take you well beyond the limits
of fluffier off-roaders.
Nissan revised the range in 2006, reducing list prices and renaming the
variants. The entry-level S became the Trek; the SVE was renamed the
Aventura. The S/Trek has a CD player, air-conditioning, electric windows and
remote central locking, while the SVE/Aventura adds leather upholstery, wood
trim, satellite navigation and the extra seats. Expect to pay about £2,000
more for the higher-spec seven-seater.
Finding one, however, is not easy. Many owners buy a Patrol new and run it for
a lifetime. At least the gloom surrounding big cars has dented second-hand
values: in the past six months a 2004 54-plate Patrol has been dropping in
value by about £150 per week. You could pick one up for £4,000 less now than
you could have back in February.
CHECK THE FOLLOWING
AUTOMATIC
Auto box gives almost identical fuel consumption to manual
BRAKES
Front brakes prone to wear, especially on automatics
BUMPERS
Patrol’s great length often leads to parking damage
CLUTCH
Towing operations are hard on the clutch, so check it
SAT NAV
DVD system, standard on SVE, is one of the best in any car
SERVICING
9,000-mile services — check history
TAILGATE
Look for corrosion in hinges and lock
TRANSMISSION
Listen for gearbox and diff rumbles
TYRES
Inner edge of tyres prone to wear
UNDERBODY
Check sills and exhaust for damage
VITAL STATISTICS
MODEL Nissan Patrol 3.0 Di SVE auto
ENGINE 2953cc, six cylinders
POWER 160bhp
TRANSMISSION Four-speed auto
FUEL 26.2mpg (combined)
CO2 287g/km
ACCELERATION 0-60mph: 15.8sec
TOP SPEED 99mph
COST NEW (2004)£31,197
ROAD TAX BAND G (£400 a year*)
*If registered from March 23, 2006; £210 before then
THE ONE TO BUY
Nissan Patrol 3.0 Di SVE auto, 2004 54, with 40,000 miles. Pay £13,495 at a
dealer or £12,250 privately
OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY
2003 03 Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE Geartronic
2003 52 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 D-4D LC3
2004 53 Land Rover Discovery 2.5 Td5 ES
2005 05 Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-D
2005 55 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Ltd
OWNER’S VIEW
“I’ve had seven big adults in my Patrol and often tow a horsebox, yet I get
30mpg. I would only ever replace it with another one.
Paul Chivers, Nottingham
