2025 Nissan Patrol launch review

Nissan struck gold with its ‘Y62’ generation Patrol when it launched here back in 2013, combining sharp pricing, off-roading performance and a thumping V8 engine. Over the 12 years since, the model has received various tweaks and updates to ensure it remained competitive against newer rivals like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

They’ve clearly worked, too, with the Patrol still enjoying significant sales and recently seeing big year-on-year growth. But now, with an all-new Y63-generation successor inbound (expected in 2027), the buying case for the ageing Y62 in the interim becomes harder to make.

Cleary aware of this, Nissan Australia has given the Patrol another update for 2025 that introduces a more modern cabin fit-out, improved infotainment and more standard tech to effectively bridge the gap to the new model. We spent time with the large SUV to see if aspiring Patrol buyers should still fork out for a Y62 in the twilight of its model cycle.

How much does the 2025 Nissan Patrol cost?

Despite additional standard tech and a modernised cabin, pricing for the updated Patrol has only crept up modestly. So little, in fact, that we’d expect recent buyers of the pre-update model to be more than a little peeved.

The 2025 Nissan Patrol range now opens from $90,600 for base Ti grade, up $1340 on the outgoing model. Luxury Ti-L and flagship off-road Warrior trims are up just $140 each, reaching $102,100 and $105,660 respectively before on-road costs.

A five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty comes as standard, however the updated Patrol is also included in Nissan Australia’s conditional 10-year/300,000km warranty. Capped-price servicing can be purchased for five years, bringing each visit down to $499.

What is the 2025 Nissan Patrol like inside?

Primary to the update is the revamped interior, now refreshed and modernised with new finishes and tech.

The centre console and dash have been redesigned, with the former receiving a new rotary dial control (which has relocated 4WD/off-road mode controls); and the latter, a completely redesigned centre section with new climate controls and infotainment.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard, cast onto a larger 12.3-inch centre touchscreen (up from 10.1- and 8.0-inch units in the last two updates). The previously 5.0-inch driver display also grows to 7.0 inches, gaining colour and a digital speedometer, while also doubling as the display for a new off-road monitoring system.

Function-wise, the update has been executed soundly, however, aesthetically, it all begins to feel a bit ‘tacked on’ the longer you stare. Newly introduced material finishes don’t always match what was already there. Updated centre air vents, for instance, feature a more modern toggle design with anodised aluminium-look trim, now noticeably different to the carryover outboard dash air vents, which feature a different design and chrome bezels.

The same can be seen elsewhere when comparing new and old and, although trivial, it’s a reminder that the Patrol’s interior facelift is only partial, with cost considerations clearly at the forefront of decision making.

Buyers get the choice of two interior colour palettes in the update: minimalist with black leather accenting, or chestnut woodgrain accenting. Warrior grade still receives Alcantara leather inserts proudly stamped with its namesake and additional gloss black trimmings.

What equipment does the 2025 Nissan Patrol come with?

The updated 2025 Nissan Patrol carries over its impressive standard kit.

Base Ti grade scores leather-accented upholstery with eight seats, including 10-way power adjustment for the driver’s and eight-way for front passengers. Dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, a six-speaker sound system and USB-A and USB-C ports up front also come standard.

Externally, LED fog lights, automatic LED headlights and heated power windows round out the Ti’s equipment list.

Moving to luxury TiL reduces seating to seven, but gains power adjustment for the steering column, a memory function for drivers (that adjusts seat, mirrors and steering wheel positions) and adds heating and ventilation for the front seats.

A powered tailgate and sunroof, puddle lights, integrated roof rails, refrigerated storage in the centre console, digital rear-view mirror and a new 13-speaker Bose sound system are all added. A revised grille and front bumper come fitted to TiL, but due to the latter’s lipped design, ground clearance is reduced slightly.

Flagship Warrior trim additionally gains special bumpers with a frontal bash plate, black fender flares, black side mirrors and front grille, two additional recovery points, and a 50mm lift kit with additional suspension tweaking that increases ground clearance to 323mm.

How safe is the 2025 Nissan Patrol?

The Y62 Patrol has never been tested by ANCAP, however it does come with a respectable list of standard safety inclusions such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot and lane-keep assists, a rear cross-traffic alert, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and a surround-view camera with front and rear parking sensors.

What powers the 2025 Nissan Patrol?

The crowd favourite ‘VK56’ 5.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol V8 continues to power the Patrol in all guises.

Pumping out 298kW and 560Nm, grunt is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox and transfer case with high- and low-range.

Nissan claims fuel consumption of 14.4L/100km.

What is the 2025 Nissan Patrol like to drive?

With no mechanical amendments, the Patrol experience hasn’t changed: it drives like a solid, off-road-capable large SUV with 15-year-old DNA … because that’s exactly what it is (considering the model was available in other territories as early as 2010).

In Ti and TiL trim, the ride is doughy around town, with slow steering and soft suspension emphasising its heft and creating a bit of a truck-like feel. Counterintuitively, the off-road-focused Warrior, with tweaks to its ‘hydraulic body motion control’ (think hydraulic anti-roll bars that connect all four wheels) is the more rewarding drive on sealed road surfaces.

Bump absorption is excellent in all grades, and the Patrol doesn’t demonstrate any undesirable handling quirks in excess anywhere. Cabin insulation is great even by today’s standards – impressive considering the advanced age of the Y62’s architecture. Occupants will be comfortable regardless of the row in which they’re seated.

Acceleration is unexpectedly swift, thanks to the ultra-refined and responsive engine mated to perfectly curated gear ratios. The automatic is vigilant enough with downshifts when needed but won’t prematurely grab lower gears and undercut the smooth wave of torque the V8 can deliver.

While on the subject: the Warrior carries over its somewhat ridiculous bi-modal exhaust system, able to send flow through side-pipe exhaust sections under certain conditions, which massively increases noise and note. This really lets the V8 sing, and believe us, you’ll be asking for encores regularly. The Patrol may not be among the fastest SUVs out there but it is arguably one of the most aurally rewarding.

Off-road, the Patrol still delivers, with the new off-road monitoring system a nice touch, showing drivers pitch and rotation with additional camera feeds to help clear terrain.

Low-range four-wheel drive with a lockable rear differential mean the Patrol (even in non-Warrior trims with less aggressive tyres) is capable of dealing with more than the average punter will likely ever throw at it. A hill descent mode (that works moving both forward and backwards) should also help keep first-timers out of trouble.

Trail-driving does emphasise just how wide the front seat bolsters are, and we found ourselves being tossed about a lot more than we would have been in rival models.

Open Road’s take on the 2025 Nissan Patrol

The 2025 Nissan Patrol has been improved; there’s no two ways about it.

Increased standard tech and modernised interior styling for such minor price increases spell decent value in an age where everything seems to be becoming more expensive. Any lack of finesse in the integration of new-design interior elements pales in comparison to the benefit they have brought to the overall package.

The Y62 Patrol has lived long on strong fundamentals, and despite losing some continuity in the process of multiple updates, these remain. This is the best the Y62 has and likely ever will be.

Pros: the V8 lives on for now; refined cabin experience; marginal price rises.

Cons: interior update integration; handling shows its age at times; V8 sounds great but can be thirsty.