Some 4x4s scream ‘practical’ and ‘well-worn’ but the Nissan Patrol is not one of those vehicles. It’s something a lot more rugged and intimidating. If Chuck Norris was a 4×4, this very well might be it.
The Patrol is a common sight in many Middle Eastern countries, where the oddly-stylish looks and famous durability have made it something of a ubiquitous ride.
As a result, you would expect it to cope rather well in sand and it does indeed. The separate chassis also means it holds together well when it’s being battered around on a green lane.
Why is it so popular?
The roots of the Patrol can be traced back to the 1950s when it was exclusively sold in Japan and used by the Japanese military. It was in the next decade that a version of the Patrol became the first car to cross the Simpson Desert in Australia.
The modern Patrol, however, has earned its reputation as a brilliant off-roader. It is also massive (longer than a Range Rover) and a reliable workhorse that rarely breaks down.
It’s that heft that really earns it so many brownie points though. There’s just so much room in there, even in the three-door models. The interior might be a little workmanlike, but there is always going to be enough legroom for the average users.
Off-road performance
At its heart though, the Nissan Patrol is an off-roader, with the ability and technical features (high and low-ratio gears, locking centre differential and so on) to make it over obstacles that most drivers wouldn’t even begin to contemplate.
On conventional roads, it doesn’t fare quite so well, but then again, this isn’t a vehicle built for flexibility; it’s a vehicle built for fun.
It’s a machine rife with machismo and it makes no bones about it and it comes with a price point to match. It’s also not the most economical vehicle in the world.
For sheer space, practicality and intimidating statute, however, it’s a 4×4 it’s pretty hard to beat. It can also be upgraded quite comfortably, which makes it an ideal ‘project build’.
Does it upgrade well?
As the Patrol is famously built like a tank you might assume it would work quite comfortably ‘out of the box’, as it were. But if you look past the stock parts, there are dozens of potential avenues to explore.
Suspension upgrades are going to be a must if you want to do any serious driving with the beast, with standard 50mm lifts quite common to improve clearance.
Major suppliers such as Old Man Emu have dozens of off-the-shelf suspension kits available that will do the trick, but you should do some research into what kind of driving you’re going to be doing before making an investment.
Generally speaking, however, this is a vehicle that is going to make a pretty bold impression even right out of the gate.
It’s not for everyone, but if it’s for you then it’s probably the kind of off-roader you’ll still be having fun with 20 years from now.
Image: MOVOYAGEE / Shutterstock.com