Nissan Patrol 2020 Tow Test

The new 2020-model Nissan Patrol Ti-L arrived late last year with fresh looks and suspension tweaks, plus driver aids like Autonomous Emergency Braking and cross traffic alert added to its equipment list.

These changes make for a more contemporary Patrol without letting go of its core attributes; a big, heavy body motivated by a powerful petrol V8, that combined deliver a strong and stable tow vehicle.

While it’s hardly a bargain at $92,790 (plus on-road costs), the 2020 Nissan Patrol Ti-L still works out cheaper than many competitors, such as the top-spec Toyota LandCruiser Sahara ($123,590, plus on-road costs).

Although Nissan hasn’t exactly given its big, bluff SUV a thorough pull-though for 2020, some changes are significant.

Aside from a more supple suspension tune and new nose, tail and alloy wheel design, the latest Nissan Patrol gets Intelligent Emergency Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Alert for the first time. The all-important safety gear is standard on both the Ti and Ti-L variants.

Sheet metal up front is new, as is the grille, LED front lamps and the front bumper. The Ti and Ti-L are also differentiated with a refreshed frontal design.

The rear end has gone under the knife too, albeit with even fewer changes than the front. Larger tail lights (now LEDs) and a larger chrome nameplate are about the extent of it. The 18-inch alloy wheels have also been updated.

Why you should buy a petrol tow vehicle

New exterior colours for 2020 include moonlight White, Galaxy Gold and Hermosa Blue.

But despite all the new mod-cons, still missing on the spec list are Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or even digital radio.

However, the Patrol Ti-L continues with an around-view monitor with moving object detection, an eight-inch touch screen, heated/cooled front seats, sat-nav, keyless entry/start, active cruise control, rear diff lock, sunroof and a second-row entertainment system. You get eight seats in the lower-spec Patrol Ti, and seven in the Ti-L.

The Patrol still doesn;t have a digital speedo, so the only time you see a digital speed readout is when cruise control is set.

The Nissan Patrol’s safety suite is fairly comprehensive and, aside from the new features of Intelligent Emergency Braking and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, it gets forward collision warning, blind spot warning and blind-spot intervention, lane departure warning, lane intervention warning and tyre-pressure monitoring. However, the big Nissan does not get trailer sway control built into its stability control system.

Under the big bonnet is the familiar 5.6-litre petrol V8 linked to a seven-speed auto, channeling drive though all four wheels via a two-speed transfer case.

While the V8’s power/torque peaks of 298kW and 560Nm are promising, it has to lug around a vehicle weighing 2750kg – and that’s of course before you add payload or a trailer.

Rated with a maximum 3500kg towing capacity, the Patrol can have up to 350kg of that mass resting on the towball – but there's a catch. To use the maximum 350kg TBM, you’ll have to reduce payload in the Patrol by 130kg.

So for a maximum 325kg TBM, payload must be reduced 100kg; reduce it by 70kg and permitted TBM is 300kg. At least the Patrol’s Gross Combined Mass allows for a maximum payload at maximum tow capacity; so with its 7000kg GCM, you can load the Patrol to its 3500kg GVM while towing 3500kg.

Hitched up to a Jayco caravan weighing a claimed 2846kg and with a 210kg tow ball download, the Patrol rose just 15mm at the front while the rear dipped 30mm.

You don’t buy a Patrol for running around the city, and when driving in a tight urban environment the Patrol feels big – more so than a LandCruiser 200. But get it out on the road with a van behind and it’s more at home.

It’s a very comfortable and stable tow hauler, with no hint of sway up to a maximum of 100km/h on test. The suspension does feel a bit too soft with a trailer behind, with long undulations setting up a pitching that, while not uncomfortable, was noticeable.

When loaded up or towing on the highway, the big V8 has to reach into the power band often to keep up momentum. Its rev-happy nature seems a bit out of place in a heavy lumbering SUV.

Yet when loaded up with a close to three tonne caravan we picked up from the guys at Jayco Sydney, the Patrol made easy work of the hills. Yes, it needed a big gulp of revs to maintain speed up steep climbs, but there was still plenty in reserve.

With the Patrol’s seven-speed auto held in third our test saw revs rise to 4500rpm-plus but it did result in speed pegged at the limit with only a dab on the foot brake necessary.

Driving unladen at highway speeds the Patrol was surprisingly economical; under 12.0L/100km was achievable. The stop-start inner-city shuffle of course killed economy; do that regularly and you can expect consumption to fly past 22.0L/100km very quickly, even if you drive gently.

Towing fuel consumption over 150km, measured tank-to-tank, was 18.7L/100km. While we experienced quite a few 80km/h road work sections on test, this is low for a Patrol towing around three tonnes. We’d expect a more typical heavy-duty towing average of around 20.0L/100km.

The Nissan Patrol is a great tow vehicle, with a planted towing stance and lots of get up and go for hill climbing or overtaking from its big V8. While it can be a thirsty beast at times, when towing it’s no more horrific on fuel than a large turbo-diesel. The bonus is you get better performance when you need it.

While the new smart body looks fresh and extra safety tech is a welcome addition, the Patrol feels old in its in-vehicle tech and presentation. While you’ll save $30K over a LandCruiser Sahara, the Patrol Ti-L is still an expensive SUV that doesn’t quite look it inside.

Price: $92,790 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.6-litre eight-cylinder petrol
Output: 298kW/560Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 18.7L/100km (as tested towing)
Tow rating: 3500kg, 350kg towball
Safety rating: n/a