Nissan Patrol Ti Y62 2016 review

Mark Oastler road tests and reviews the 2016 Nissan Y62 Patrol Ti with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

If you’re in the market for a luxurious full-size 4x4 wagon with seating for seven (eight at a stretch) and not expecting much change out of $100,000, you should take a long, hard look at Nissan’s Patrol Ti.

When the big V8-engined Y62 range was introduced here in 2013, it barely registered a blip on the sales radar. That was due mainly to the lack of a diesel engine option and optimistic pricing for a three-tier model range starting at more than $82,000 and topping out just under $114,000. And with a gearshift mounted awkwardly on the left side of the console, to remind Aussies that small RHD markets like ours were after-thoughts, the whole deal had an air of arrogance about it.

However, in mid-2015 Nissan Australia launched a rescue mission. It dumped the entry-level ST-L model, slashed a whopping $24,000 from the price of the mid-level (now entry-level) Ti and carved almost $30,000 from the top shelf Ti-L. And to prove it was fair dinkum, even moved the gearshift to the right side of the console.

The Patrol Ti is a bargain compared to equivalent model grades offered by its long-time Japanese nemesis, the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series.

As a result, showroom traffic has increased and according to Nissan, demand is now exceeding supply. Having spent a week aboard the entry level Ti we’re astonished at how much space, luxury, features and performance it offers – and all for less than $70,000.

Price and Features

The Patrol Ti is a bargain compared to equivalent model grades offered by its long-time Japanese nemesis, the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series. It’s almost $23,000 less than the petrol V8-engined VX and undercuts the diesel V8-powered VX by a whopping $28,000. That’s some serious coin, folks.

The Patrol Ti may lack some of the fancy features exclusive to the Ti-L, but for most buyers it has more than everything you need. These include leather-accented trim, keyless entry, electric glass tilt-and-slide sunroof, eight-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats, tri-zone climate control with rear a/c controls, four 12-volt outlets, 8.0-inch touch screen for sat-nav and six-speaker audio system with full connectivity, reversing camera, follow-me-home lighting and electric folding and heated door mirrors to name only a few in a very long list.

Dropping the ST-L model has also ensured that what is now a richly equipped entry-level Patrol shares the Ti-L’s brilliant Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) suspension. This uses active dampers fitted to each wheel’s coil-sprung suspension arms, which serve as shock absorbers and stabiliser bars in one. HBMC not only provides optimum wheel travel and traction off-road but also monitors cornering forces and distributes hydraulic pressure to minimise body roll when on-road. The Ti rides on 18-inch alloys and 265/70R18 tyres with a full-size alloy spare.

Design

The Y62 Patrol is BIG. It was designed primarily for LHD markets in the US and Middle East and there’s no disguising its imposing dimensions.

Its generous 3075mm wheelbase is a substantial 225mm longer than the 200 Series, resulting in rock-solid straight line stability. The Patrol is also 15mm wider, 150mm longer and about 60kg heavier but has superior approach and departure angles, a slightly larger 140-litre fuel tank and an extra cog in its seven-speed transmission.

Headroom, even with the sunroof, is substantial.

The sumptuous interior, with its glossy woodgrain inserts and faint whiff of leather, is well designed with a high standard of finish and logical placement of instruments and controls. The cabin is impressively quiet with an airy and spacious feel that can even make drivers approaching 2.0 metres in height feel vertically challenged. Headroom, even with the sunroof, is substantial.

The tilt-and-reach adjustable leather-accented steering wheel and shifter, padded arm rests on the door and padded lid on console storage box are all ideally positioned for long stints behind the wheel. The plush second row of seating offers comfort and leg room of limousine standard. However, in stark contrast, the third-row is no better than several smaller SUVs we’ve tested and surprisingly tight for such a large vehicle.

Engine and Transmission

The all-aluminium VK56VD 5.6 litre petrol V8 has performance breeding good enough to serve in some of Nissan’s motor sport programs. Its dual overhead camshafts and 32 valves combine with VVEL variable valve timing to produce a mighty class-leading 298kW at 5800rpm and a bulldozer-grade 560Nm of torque at 4000rpm. The Land Cruiser 200’s smaller 4.6 litre petrol V8, with only 227kW/439Nm, looks feeble by comparison given their similar kerb weights.

The Patrol’s equally smooth and refined seven-speed automatic is well suited to this application, with overdriven 6th and 7th ratios for maximum economy at highway speeds, adaptive shift control and optional manual mode which is often handy when towing and off-road. The full-time 4x4 system allows electronic switching between high and 2.679:1 low range, four terrain modes (road/sand/rock/snow), hill descent control and engagement of the locking rear differential all using the single control knob on the console.

Practicality

Matches the petrol Land Cruiser’s benchmark 3500kg braked towing capacity but offers a higher 3500kg GVM (785kg payload) for a mighty 7000kg GCM. Front and rear doors all have their own deep storage pockets, plus there’s a total of four cup holders, eight bottle holders, back pockets on the driver and front passenger seats and a sunglass holder. And there’s a generous amount of luggage space available behind the third row of seats.

Fuel consumption

Nissan claims 14.4L/100km. During our real world test, which combined heavy city traffic, suburban driving and open road touring on dirt and bitumen, our best figure was 16.2L/100km. Yep, it doesn’t mind a drink, but it’s not under the table given that Toyota claims 13.4L/100km for its 4.6 litre petrol V8. And even its 4.5 litre turbo-diesel V8 returns real world consumption figures in the mid-teens, despite Toyota’s optimistic 9.5L/100km official figure achieved in a lab.

Driving

In a nutshell, it’s just a really good thing to drive and hard to fault. The sublime performance of the 5.6 litre V8 with its smooth-shifting seven-speed auto and full-time 4x4 system makes every drive worthwhile. The 560Nm of torque, 90 per cent of which is on tap from only 1600rpm, thrusts the big Patrol forward with such an effortless and unrelenting surge you soon forget that it weighs almost 2.8 tonnes. It just gets up and goes like it’s being carried along on a powerful wave.

Fortunately it also has four big ventilated disc brakes with reassuringly powerful ABS stopping power. Combined with nicely weighted rack and pinion speed-sensitive steering and the excellent self-levelling HBMC suspension, the Patrol Ti offers sublime handling composure and chassis refinement on and off-road normally reserved for vehicles costing far more.

Safety

The Y62 Patrol is loaded with acronyms including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). There’s also driver and front passenger front/side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags covering all three rows of seats. For mums and dads there’s also two ISOFIX and two top-tether child restraints for the second row and another anchorage point for the third.

Ownership

3 year/100,000km warranty and 3 year 24-Hour Roadside Assistance Program. Optional Genuine Nissan Extended Warranty available.