Inside, the Warrior offers plenty of new goodness, with the outdated fake wood trim gone and new Alcantara highlights. Photos: Supplied.
There is a classic good-news, bad-news story for fans of the hefty Nissan Patrol.
An all-new model is coming to Australia, headlined by an efficient new V6 engine, but it won’t land until 2026. So the current Patrol V8 goes on, but with a vastly improved and tasty Warrior model to fill the gap. So the good news is the Warrior, with better news in the future with the all-new model codenamed Y83.
There are other Warrior models in the family at Nissan Australia, all improved and enhanced by the engineering team at Premcar – a contract engineering company – in Melbourne.
The Warrior program began with the Navara, which needed a boost to compete with the benchmark Ford Ranger.
In the case of the Patrol, Premcar concentrated on making it better to drive and more efficient in the cabin. So there is a vastly improved infotainment package, upgraded suspension, and a ‘’big-modal’’ exhaust with side outlet to provide a bit more aural excitement from the 5.6-litre petrol V8. Even so, and despite the goodness in the Warrior, the Patrol still lags well behind the latest Toyota LandCruiser.
Again there is a ‘’good-news’’ offset, as it’s around $50,000 less expensive. Turning to the Warrior, the obvious visual keys to the upgrade are the bigger wheels, side exhaust and a signature bash plate – in fire engine red – under the engine.
An all-new Patrol model is coming to Australia, headlined by an efficient new V6 engine, but it won’t land until 2026. So the current Patrol V8 goes on, but with a vastly improved and tasty Warrior model to fill the gap.
Inside, there is plenty of new goodness. The vastly outdated fake wood trim is removed and there are new Alcantara highlights, a bigger infotainment screen with lots of inbuilt features, and improved seating with Warrior trim. There is even a cooler box in the centre console and a wireless phone charger.
It’s good stuff, with vastly (there is that word again) improved connectivity and even integrated Hema 4×4 maps for people who want to head off-road.
On the driving side, apart from the exhaust – which responds to eager driving by switching to its V8 thunder setting – the Warrior sits 50 millimetres higher, rides on bigger rims and tyres, and has improved ride control and a 48-kilo increase in payload.
All this means that, even in the city, the ride is more plush, it responds better to steering inputs, and it feels more ‘’planted’’ when you are braking or cornering.
The Warrior, with a bold bash plate under its nose. is certain to be better for people who enjoy off-road travel, or even towing or exploring the countryside.
It’s a familiar feel after the Navara with Warrior upgrade, although there was no chance to really test the bold bash plate under the nose. Still, the Patrol Warrior is certain to be better for people who enjoy off-road travel, or even towing or exploring in the countryside.
As for the fuel economy, it’s only worth emphasising you need to be prepared for its slurping return of around 15 litres/100 km in town. The Patrol has always been competent, even though it is vastly outdated in so many areas, but the Warrior addresses and overcomes many of its shortcomings.
It has put more life into the big hauler and also made it considerably more appealing for anyone who wants a workhorse that can really do the heavy lifting.
Nissan Patrol Warrior
- Position: Full-sized SUV
- Price: From $104,160
- Engine: 5.6-litre V8 petrol
- Power: 298kW/560Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed auto, 4-wheel drive
- Plus: Much improved
- Minus: Still outdated
- THE TICK: Patrol fans will love it.
Score: 7.6/10.
