Nissan’s burly Patrol off-roader remains locked in an age-old battle with the recently arrived and more expensive Toyota 300-Series LandCruiser.

The Patrol celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2021 which, fittingly, also proved a stellar year for the nameplate, achieving the best sales since the current Y62 series was released in 2013, and the highest Patrol wagon sales since 2008.

Sales in 2022 continued the trend, spurred on by burgeoning enthusiasm for local adventures and a minor update which includes a new grille, new brand emblem, and new front fender vent design.

For the top-spec Ti-L tested here, it’s a case of two out of three ain’t bad, with the new emblem and re-designed vents the sum of its updates.

The changes follow a more substantial update in 2020 that delivered revisions to suspension tuning, a range of added Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety technologies, as well as a refreshed exterior design and new colour palette.

Given the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them nature of the MY22 changes it’s appropriate that the inevitable price rise is a modest $1,000, taking the MLP for the Ti to $82,160 and the Ti-L to $95,115.

Even with this impost the big Nissan looks relatively ‘affordable’ against the LandCruiser 300 Series where list prices before ‘on-roads’ start at $89,181 for the comparatively basic five-seat only GX, hurdle the $100k mark for the next model up the GXL, and top out at nearly $138k for the top-spec Sahara ZX.

Powertrain and technology aside, it could be argued that Patrol buyers get more value for their money thanks to a healthier standard equipment list, which in the case of the Ti includes: eight seat capacity; tri-zone climate control; leather accented seat and door trim; keyless entry and start; rear helical limited slip differential and diff lock; 18-inch alloy wheels; off-road monitor; front and rear park sensors; heated power and folding mirrors; sat nav, and an 8.0-inch touch-screen.

The largesse doesn’t end there, either, with the Patrol also featuring Bluetooth connectivity; six-speaker audio with CD/DVD/AM/FM/USB; eight-way power adjustable driver’s and six-way power adjustable front passenger seat; tyre pressure monitoring; hydraulic body motion control (HBMC) suspension; hill-start assist; hill descent control; LED headlights and front fog lights; and side steps.

In the safety and driver assistance kitbag there’s intelligent emergency braking; forward collision warning; rear cross traffic alert; intelligent cruise control; lane departure warning; lane-keep assist; blind-spot warning and intervention; driver and front passenger front and side airbags; as well as curtain airbags for all three rows.

The Ti-L expands this list further by adding power adjustment for the tilt and reach steering column; driver’s seat memory with two settings including the side mirrors and steering column; 13 Bose speakers; two second-row eight-inch entertainment screens with headphones and remote control; intelligent rear-view mirror; puddle lights; power tailgate; roof rails; electric sunroof; heated/cooled front seats; a six-litre front console cool-box; and auto headlight levelling.

Both versions are powered by a proven direct-injection 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine mustering a formidable 298kW of power, and a grunty 560Nm of torque, 90% of which is on tap from 2,500rpm.

That’s an extra 71kW over the big Toyota’s new twin-turbo V6 diesel, but the ’Cruiser counterpunches with an extra 40Nm of maximum torque developed lower in the rev range.

The Toyota also boasts three more cogs in its automatic transmission versus Nissan’s otherwise smoothly impressive seven-speed auto, with its manual shift mode and adaptive shift control.

The petrol V8 is strong, responsive and velvety smooth, and does an impressive job of hustling over 2800kg of Patrol up to speed, feeling ever ready to answer the call of a more insistent throttle.

With well subdued road noise levels there’s a real sense of refinement about the way the Ti-L goes about its business.

Unsurprisingly, the Achilles’ heel for a bent eight of this capacity pushing this much weight is its drinking problem.

Official consumption figures range from 11.1 to 20.2 litres/100km and it likes the top-shelf brews, with a minimum 95 RON premium the specified tipple.

Over two fills and close to 400km of testing in a mix of urban, backroads and off-road running, our average scraped in just under 20L/100km, compared with an official combined cycle figure of 14.4L/100km.

It’s sad but true that the lack of a turbo-diesel option will be deal breaker for some.

Nonetheless, the Patrol’s smooth manners continue courtesy of independent double wishbone coil suspension at all corners and Nissan’s hydraulic body motion control (HBMC).

This is designed to maximise ride comfort while minimising body roll for improved handling during cornering and added stability on or off road, according to Nissan.

Find out about RACQ Comprehensive Car Insurance

The sealed hydraulic system comprises four ‘shock absorbers,’ two fluid accumulators and cross-linked hydraulic pipes to allow it to act like conventional shock absorbers and stabiliser bars.

On the road, there’s a plushness to the ride that ensures the Patrol wafts along imperiously, effortlessly blotting out road blemishes and gnarls.

Through corners there’s some initial body roll before it settles into the task, feeling quite secure and capable for such a large craft.

The steering is light and easy, but some additional road feel would be welcome.

Venture off-road into the rough stuff and the Patrol feels well up to the challenge and never looked like breaking stride during our traverses of moderately demanding and badly rutted forestry trails.

The hill descent control, functional in both high and low range, does a respectable job of controlling speed during steeper descents, while low range extends crawling ability on inclines and declines.

The camera system’s front and overhead views at low speeds is handy when choosing the ideal line during off-road driving. And with ground clearance of 273mm, an approach angle of 34.4 degrees (28.0 deg on Ti-L), and departure angle of 26.3 degrees, vital statistics are as good or better than the LandCruiser.

Certainly, there were no clearance issues apparent during our limited tests.

There are four selectable terrain modes to choose from – On Road, Rock, Snow and Sand – with each designed to optimise engine torque, ABS and traction control performance to best suit the driving conditions.

Adventurous owners will also be pleased to know that Nissan provide the practicality of a full-size alloy spare wheel in both variants.

On or off the blacktop, front occupants ride in style with the lounge-chair-like seating offering good adjustability, including two-way lumbar for the driver, plus seat heating and cooling.

Those in the middle also travel in reasonable comfort, while enjoying both the generous space and rear seat entertainment features.

Adults consigned to travel in row three will, however, find the leg and foot space restricted and the seats rather basic and flat.

Thankfully, the generously proportioned load space is far more accommodating, with 550 litres available even with the third-row in use. By way of comparison, that’s more than the boot of a typical small hatchback offers.

There are air con vents in the roof for both the second and third rows, as well as fan and temperature controls located in row two.

For growing families Nissan provides a total of four child restraint points – three in row two, two of which are ISOFIX compatible, and one in the rearmost seats.

The interior is all well put together, with leather trims and soft-touch materials on many surfaces, plus stylish touches like contrast stitching and piping to add a prestige note.

There are also liberal doses of glossy plastic woodgrain adorning dash, doors, console, shift lever surround, and the climate control and infotainment facias.

The latter tends to accentuate the fact the Patrol interior is starting to look a little dated, something reinforced by the infotainment system which still includes a six-stack CD player.

Other than this, there’s enough oddments storage and cup holders to keep everything tidy, plus a handy cooled console box for keeping your lunch cool when out adventuring.

The controls are mostly easy to interact with, although the foot operated park brake won’t appeal to everyone.

Likewise, the thick ‘A’ pillars and large external mirror heads contribute to a sizeable driver’s blind-spot.

Nissan reassures buyers with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and a capped price service program.

Scheduled services are specified at 12 months or 10,000km whichever comes first with the first six services and required brake fluid changes totalling $3,357.

For those with towing in mind, the Patrol is suitably specified with 3,500kg of braked towing capacity, 350kg maximum ball load, and a 7,000kg gross combination mass quoted by the maker.

Key stats

• MLP: $95,115
• ENGINE: 5.6-litre V8 petrol
• ANCAP CRASH RATING: Not rated.
• FUEL CONSUMPTION (Combined Cycle, l/100km)_: 14.4 (334g/km CO₂)
• FOR: Strong and silky V8 performance, well equipped, spacious with third row seating standard, cheaper and better value than 300-Series LandCruiser, off-road capable, plush ride.
• AGAINST: Thirsty on PULP, no turbo-diesel option, steering needs more road-feel, foot park brake, interior starting to look dated, only minor cosmetic updates for MY22, third row better suited to kids.