Proof that some things remain the same, Nissan’s Y62 Patrol is still in the market, virtually unchanged, more than 15 years after it was launched.
While it is not unknown for models to have a long life – looking at you, Volvo – it is a rarity to go this long without an update or redesign.
In fairness, the body shape remains fresh, and as one of a small number of genuine off-road, dual range, four-wheel-drive wagons, there is still demand for the Patrol.
The downside is very little has changed over the years, while this can be a testament to Nissan’s original design, it means the flaws remain the same as 15 years ago.
For me, a floor-mounted park brake, especially in a 4WD wagon, is not practical and should have been replaced years ago, or, never installed in the first place.
My other major complaint are the flat and unsupportive seats, while the diamond-quilted leather looks good, these are not seats you sit in.
Instead, you feel as though you are perched on top of them, a feeling exacerbated by the low-mounted steering wheel.
While Nissan has fitted a Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, partnered with independent double wishbones and coil springs on all wheels, a system usually found on sports and performance cars demanding accurate handling and steering, I feel like the whole car is swaying underneath me, with limited connection between car and driver.
The suspension system works well in both the Patrol and its uber-offroad cousin the Warrior in rugged and broken terrain, but does not add to the on-road driving behaviour.
Front seats aside, they are both well-equipped, a recent refresh added a 12.3” touchscreen infotainment unit with wireless Apple and Android connectivity and a six-speaker sound system.
The Warrior adds Alcantara to the standard leather and suede trimmed doors and dash, gone is the previous woodgrain trim, I also appreciated the extendable sunvisors that blocked glare without impacting forward vision.
Unfortunately the middle rear headrest takes a chunk out of rear vision, sitting squarely in the driver’s view.
I am also a massive fan of Nissan’s 360-degree camera system, they were one of the pioneers, and still have the most functional version, especially for off-road driving.
With the body canted over at aggressive angles climbing obstacles, driver vision becomes non-existent, it was good to see what was around us, to avoid surrounding rocks and vegetation.
A friend suggested you don’t complain about fuel prices if you own a V8 and the Patrol/Warrior is a classic case in point.
Nissan’s 5.5-litre unit, producing 298kW and 560Nm, has a prodigious thirst around town, gulping 95 Octane at around 18-20 litres per 100km, dropping to around 13-15 litres per 100km in highway driving.
It made short work of towing our race car, aside from some driveline jolting on take-off, rolling down the highway at 100km/h, it was like there was nothing behind us.
And, I would be a liar to deny it, there is a glorious V8 bellow every time you crack the throttle, amplified in the Warrior by a unique bi-modal system that turns the aural pleasure up to 11.
While we didn’t venture far offroad with the Patrol, we took the Warrior to our favourite test track, allowing comparison with other off-roaders.
No surprise, it slayed it.
Dropping the pressures to 25psi, and upsetting the tyre pressure monitoring system, it sailed over everything, the chunky 295/70R18 Geolandar tyres had plenty of bite across a range of surfaces, including loose flint, rocks and gravel.
Not only has Prem Car lifted the body, giving 323mm of clearance, the underbody has been tidied up, with no hanging parts to snag rocks or ruts.
The V8’s power provided a seamless push over a couple of obstacles from a standing start, yes the body does jump and buck, that is normal in those conditions, not once did we scrape or bottom out.
Make no mistake, the Patrol Warrior, developed by Victorian company Prem Car, is perhaps the best factory-built offroad wagon in the local market.
My problem is, even for a dedicated offroader, unless you live far from bitumen roads, the Patrol’s on-road performance is compromised.
If you can overlook this, then absolutely the Patrol and/or the Warrior should be high on your shopping list, there is very little with a factory warranty capable of matching it.
Gary is an experienced motoring journalist, and a graduate of Griffith University.