2005 Nissan Patrol

The new Nissan Patrol is a 4×4 that’s not easily overseen. The newly designed front and back give it a distinctive look that will stand out of the crowd anywhere. The Nissan Patrol never fails to create an impression. For the driver and passengers, it is a feeling of effortless power and utter comfort from the driveway to the desert.

The commanding driving position is quite a draw. It yields good forward and side vision, but rear visibility is a bit limited. Height-adjustable steering wheel and seat on all models. The five-door has plenty of room and, because of it’s length, it offers an outstanding amount of legroom in the back. Seats are good enough for long trips. Trim is tough but luxurious. The air-conditioning is impressive. The Patrol has front and rear a/c vents, and you can switch on the rear AC from the front. Between the 2 front seats there is a fridge.

The Patrol has a large, more curved body with improved interior space and switchable suspension system. The revised models launched for 2005 with restyled bumpers and grille, upgraded interior, uprated suspension and new head and tail lights. Super Safari models have automatic air-conditioning, CD autochanger, dual airbags, Xenon headlights and ABS. Options include side airbags, an electric sunroof, leather trim and heated front seats.

Launched with an old fashioned engine years ago, there are now three inline six-cylinder engine choices. They are noisy and hard-working, but provide loads of low-down power for towing and serious off-roading, and reasonable fuel economy for a large 4WD. These engines have leisurely acceleration. Peak horsepower figures are relatively weak for such a large vehicle, but torque figures are massive, with the top-range 4.8-litre engine providing as much as 400 Nm of peak torque. The Cadillac Escalade has more power, but the top model Patrol beats its main rival, the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The five-door is hard to park because of its size. The three-door model is a more manageable-sized alternative to the five-door wagon. Bodyroll and ponderous steering make on-road driving a chore. There is good access to the luggage compartment and a split-folding seat means you can carry some really large loads. Plenty of space is available to put large boxes on the seats.

The Nissan Patrol is smooth, convenient, and easy to drive on the highway. It’s hard to find faults with the ride.

A favourite in danger zones, deserts and the tropics. It’s proven, tough has an unblemished reliability record and is highly unlikely to let you down. Construction is solid. Driver and passenger airbags are standard except on early basic models. The Patrol is less expensive than the Land Cruiser but not cheap. Nissan dealer servicing tends to be good value, but parts can be expensive. Insurance is high.

The power steering is somewhat heavy, but provides a nice feel without being too stiff. The suspension has been tuned to give a smooth ride, which is helped by a relatively long wheelbase. The vehicle feels secure and stable at highway speeds. The suspension is soft and does a good job of soaking up bumps and road vibration, giving a smooth ride that we really liked.

Nissan Patrol is the car to consider if you’re looking for a sophisticated and utterly reliable large four-wheel-drive.