Nissan Patrol Warrior review: A battle-hardened veteran

What is it?

In simple terms it’s a tougher version of Nissan’s iconic off-roader, but beyond that it represents an expansion of the local collaboration between the brand and engineering specialists, Premcar.

The Melbourne-based firm began working with Nissan creating the Navara Warrior, a more capable version of the ute to try and capitalise on the success of the Ford Ranger Raptor.

Having enjoyed success with the Navara, Nissan Australia got Premcar to work its magic on the Patrol, adding the four pillars of the ‘Warrior’ idea – enhanced capability, road presence, the perfect soundtrack and superb refinement.

It has given the Patrol one last surge to help see Nissan through to the all-new model that’s due in 2025.

Does it have any racing pedigree?

The Patrol is hardly a racing car, but Premcar has plenty of history making performance cars for Australia. The company was originally behind Ford Performance Vehicles, Prodrive Australia and Tickford before that, so it knows the unique demands of Australian conditions.

READ MORE: Who is… Premcar

What’s under the bonnet?

Premcar hasn’t messed with Nissan’s trusty 5.6-litre V8, which is good news for your warranty, but they have added a bi-modal exhaust to create what it calls “the perfect soundtrack.” And they’ve done very well, because the Patrol Warrior sounds great, with a real throaty growl that makes this big off-roader sound like a muscle car.

However, while the new side-exiting exhaust pipes sound and look great, sticking them on the side does seem to be an odd choice for something that will likely climb over a few sharp rocks – I’d hate to pinch a pipe while out exploring.

The engine still performs well too, with 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque making light work of this heavy vehicle. The fuel consumption is unsurprisingly high though, a whopping 14.4-litres per 100km on the combined cycle; and significantly worse around town. Still, if you can achieve that official number with a 140-litre tank it still boasts a driving range of nearly 1000km… just brace yourself for the bill shock when the time comes to fill it up.

How does it handle?

As part of its “enhanced capability” Premcar has added a 50mm overall lift, with a 29mm suspension increase and the other 21mm coming from a bigger wheel and tyre package. It also has a 40mm wider track and the approach and departure angles have been improved.

In fact, it’s just easier to say the whole suspension package has been overhauled by Premcar because it’s fettled the springs, bump-stops and even tweaked Nissan’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The result is a very comfortable SUV to ride around in the urban jungle but also something with immense capability off-road. Given the Patrol is now 15 years old, it’s impressive Premcar has managed to make it feel so fresh.

Where would you most like to drive it?

The obvious answer is the outback. While the side-pipes and high price tag suggest it’s a show pony, this is still a serious workhorse. It feels like the kind of off-roader that will soak up big mileage on outback roads with ease.

What’s the interior like?

It’s old, there’s no other way to put it. At least in the 2023 model year version we drove. The Patrol dates back to 2010 and it looks and feels throughout the cabin. From the out-dated infotainment system to the bunched leather treatment on the doors to the ageing steering wheel, everything is just a step (or two… or three) behind the times. It’s the automotive equivalent of a Nokia mobile phone in an age of smartphones.

However, Nissan recognised this and has addressed it in the 2024 model, redesigning the infotainment system to bring a more modern look and add some modern technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

How much does the Nissan Patrol Warrior cost?

The Patrol Warrior is priced from $101,160 (plus on-road costs) which is a $16,260 premium over the Patrol Ti it’s based on. That may seem like a hefty price jump, but if you consider what Premcar adds, and does so with a factory warranty, it’s an appealing deal.

Would I buy one?

There’s a lot to like about the Patrol Warrior, it looks good (at least on the outside), sounds good and is ready for off-road adventures. But with a new model just around the corner it’s hard not to imagine patience paying off, because the new model will bring a new engine, updated technology and will likely get the Premcar treatment sooner rather than later.