Nissan Patrol – Stunning Array of Variants Explained

The outgoing Y62 series represents the sixth generation of the mighty Nissan Patrol, with the latest model being unveiled for the Middle East market earlier this year. The 2023 Nissan Patrol maintains the rich legacy of the nameplate while incorporating all the revisions and new features that were introduced when the new model was launched in 2019. While it’s one of Nissan Middle East’s most expensive offerings, the Patrol remains a top-selling model in the Gulf markets.

In the UAE, prospective customers of the Patrol have plenty of options to choose from. Not only are there up to 8 different variants on sale but there’s also the flagship Patrol Nismo on offer, which is all-new for 2023. "The 2023 Nissan Patrol NISMO builds on the success of its predecessors and continues to be the ultimate mark of performance, luxury, and respect. As a tangible symbol of our continuous innovation and thrilling driving experiences, the Patrol NISMO defies ordinary and accelerates the Patrol experience to an entirely new level," remarked Thierry Sabbagh, President, Nissan Saudi Arabia, INFINITI Middle East and Managing Director, Nissan Middle East.

What powers the 2023 Nissan Patrol?

Like its predecessor, the new Nissan Patrol sold in the UAE is powered solely by petrol-fueled engines. Depending on the variant, the Patrol can be equipped with a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine that produces 275 hp and 394 Nm of torque. On the other hand, at least 4 variants of the new Patrol are powered by the much-loved 5.6-liter V8, which develops a healthy 400 hp and 560 Nm of peak torque. Both powerplants are mated to the same 7-speed automatic gearbox and get all-wheel drive as standard.

Variants of the 2023 Nissan Patrol in the UAE

XE V6 (AED 210,000)

The XE variant of the 2023 Nissan Patrol is powered by a 275-horsepower V6 engine. On the outside, the Patrol XE’s most notable features are its LED headlights & taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear pintle hook, and bumpers that look more rugged than in other variants.

On the inside, the Patrol XE variant gets cloth-upholstered seats, a 4-speaker audio system supporting AUX & USB inputs, a 6.75-inch infotainment head unit, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, and front & rear parking sensors.

SE T2 V6 (AED 233,500)

Powered by the same six-cylinder engine as the XE, the Patrol SE T2 is a variant that gets all the features that the base Patrol comes with. On top of all that, the SE T2 scores roof rails, which makes the SUV look a bit more rugged. This variant also gets a sunroof, puddle lamps, and a powered tailgate, which adds even more value to upgrading to the Patrol SE T2 variant.

Apart from all the equipment that the XE variant already has, the SE T2 adds a remote engine starter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, climate-controlled front seats, a 7-inch semi-digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and Nissan’s Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM).

SE Titanium V6 (AED 260,500)

The Patrol SE Titanium is also entrusted with the V6 motor that powers the variants mentioned above. On the outside, this variant features Nissan’s so-called “city bumper,” which is more sculpted and contemporary in its design.

Apart from that, this trim level of the new Nissan Patrol gets leatherette seat upholstery, a 13-speaker Bose audio system, Nissan Connect Services, a wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, powered third-row seats, and a 10.1-inch rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2023 Patrol SE Titanium also comes with Nissan’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) suspension technology, Intelligent Lane Departure Warning (I-LDP) with Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LDP), Intelligent Blind Spot Warning (I-BSW), Intelligent Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (I-FCW).

SE Platinum City V6 (AED 286,500)

In its SE Platinum City avatar, the 2023 Nissan Patrol is equipped with the same 4.0-liter V6 engine as found in the previously mentioned variants. One of the biggest advantages of upgrading from the SE Titanium to the SE Platinum City comes from the inclusion of chrome-finished ORVMs, plus larger and swankier 20-inch machine-cut alloy wheels. These wheels certainly add to the exuberant verve of the already exuberant-looking SUV.

Stepping inside the Patrol SE Platinum City, customers will note the beautifully-crafted quilted leather seats with heating & cooling functions for the front chairs. There’s also soft-touch leather and wood trim on the steering wheel, while more wood trim can be found on the door pads and center pedestal – all of which elevates the luxury appeal of the Patrol.

Some of the other creature comforts on this variant (in addition to what’s found in the SE Titanium) include an off-road monitor, Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor with moving object detection, and a power-adjustable steering column with a memory function.

LE T1 V8 (AED 240,500)

As it says in the name, the entry-level LE T1 variant of the 2023 Nissan Patrol comes with a 5.6-liter V8 engine, which definitely makes its presence felt, especially when compared to the slightly more relaxed V6 model. Similar to the XE V6, the Patrol LE T1 sports an off-road-friendly bumper up front, which looks more butch than the urbane-looking unit fitted to the higher-end variants. It’s also equipped as standard with the smaller but meatier 18-inch alloy wheels – ideal for off-road excursions.

The interior of the LE T1 variant of the new Patrol comes with cloth seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 4-speaker audio system that supports AUX & USB connectivity, and a 6.75-inch infotainment head unit. There’s also Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, along with front & rear parking sensors, cruise control, automatic LED headlamps, and a tire pressure monitoring system for added safety.

LE T2 V8 (AED 290,000)

The LE T2 variant of the Patrol carries on with the punchy eight-cylinder engine and much of the equipment from the LE T1, but piles on more niceties such as LED front foglights, a powered tailgate, an electric sunroof, roof rails, a remote engine starter, and leatherette seats plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In this avatar, the 2023 Patrol also gets a 7-inch multi-function display for the driver, a 12.3-inch touch-infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a 6-speaker audio system, and optional 10.1-inch rear-seat entertainment screens. Tacking onto the list of features are powered ORVMs with auto fold function, a rearview camera, and Nissan’s Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM).

LE Titanium V8 (AED 318,000)

The penultimate variant of the 2023 Nissan Patrol V8 is the LE Titanium. This is where the SUV gains Nissan’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control (HBMC) suspension technology, which essentially utilizes high-pressure hydraulic fluid & internal pistons to ensure the Patrol doesn’t roll too much when tackling sharp bends, while also allowing more flexibility and ride comfort both on & off the road. The LE Titanium model further adds unique-looking 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome-finished ORVMs, and the ‘city bumper’ option.

Other noteworthy features here include real leather seats, Nissan Connect Services, a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system, a wireless charging pad, automatic high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with auto-emergency braking & pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane departure intervention, and blind-spot warning & intervention.

LE Platinum City V8 (AED 347,000)

As the second-most expensive variant of the 2023 Nissan Patrol in the UAE, the LE Platinum City is for those who prioritize utmost comfort and luxury but don’t want to compromise much on this 4x4s off-roading prowess. The new Patrol LE Platinum City features 20-inch ‘Platinum’ wheels on the outside, while rich-feeling leather & wood trim and premium quilted-leather seats uplift the cabin experience.

The large and comfortable front seats also get heating & cooling functions – the latter being a blessing in the arduous summer months. Adding to the extensive laundry list of modern features is the off-road monitor, 360-degree cameras with Nissan’s ‘Moving Object Detection’, powered ORVMs with reverse auto-tilt function, plus a memory function for the ORVMs, driver’s seat & steering wheel position, and previously adjusted climate control setting.

Nismo (AED 398,500)

The most expensive and range-topping variant of the new Nissan Patrol in the UAE is the Nismo. To make it stand out from the regular Patrol, it gets darker colors with sporty red accents and trim all around. The aggressive front bumper and grille are mostly finished in glossy black, while the chin spoiler and small ‘Nismo’ branding looks quite cool too.

The massive 22-inch two-tone rims are unique to the Patrol Nismo, and so are the huge roof spoiler and heavily-sculpted rear bumper. The bumper integrates F1-style center lights, which in this case are the foglights, while also housing dual faux exhaust tips on each corner and dark chrome inserts in the taillights. Under all that fancy exterior bodywork, the Patrol Nismo hides Bilstein shocks, specifically tuned for delivering sportier dynamics.

The rather plush interior of the Patrol Nismo gets even more red accents and stitching, with faux carbon fiber trim on the center console and door pads, along with high-quality Alcantara covering various panels. The ‘Nismo’ branding on the center console does grab your attention, while the ultra-comfortable powered & climate-controlled front seats feel absolutely sublime.

Features that will attract prospective buyers of the Patrol Nismo in the UAE will likely be the electrically-adjustable steering column, wireless phone charger, powered sunroof, adaptive cruise control, 13-speaker Bose sound system, three-zone climate control with memory function, 12.3-inch main touchscreen, and a whole multitude of passive & active safety nannies.

Does the 2023 Nissan Patrol look impressive enough?

When it received a thorough makeover back in 2019, the Nissan Patrol was restyled to make the large SUV appear more modern and stately whilst retaining its imposing demeanor. The new and more expressive exterior of the new Patrol features the Japanese brand’s signature V-motion grille, which is garnished in chrome and boasts an eye-catching ‘studded’ pattern. The large split-LED headlights are of an angular design with C-shaped LED DRLs, while the deep-set but fashionable front bumper scores its own chrome garnishing.

The restrained muscular design of the hood adds to this SUV’s tough appeal, while the sheer vastness of its side facade & boxy wing mirrors furthers the model’s dominating presence. The new Patrol can be had with premium 20-inch alloy wheels, chrome-finished ‘V8’ badges on the front fenders and fender vents that are also finished in shiny chrome. The relatively-flat rear fascia of the 2023 Patrol sports a roof spoiler and a chunky bumper with a faux skid plate design, though the massive LED taillights look modern and stylish.

How’s the interior of the 2023 Nissan Patrol?

The cabin of this Nissan Y62 has always been worthy of praise, thanks to the type & quality of materials used. While there are some scratchy bits of trim in certain parts of the 2023 Patrol’s interior, the general fit & finish is nothing to scoff at. The design of the dashboard and door panels have mostly remained the same when compared to the pre-facelift model, but the same also applies to the user-friendly nature of the various switchgear & display graphics.

The quilted leather seats of the new Patrol offer fantastic comfort while not sacrificing under-thigh or lower-back support, even on longer journeys. Of course, the third-row seats will feel cramped for those who are of average height or taller. The big windows with a high seating position makes for a good view outside and also lets in plenty of light into the cabin, though the sunroof feels tiny in comparison to those found in some other cars in this price bracket.

Conclusion

The 2023 Nissan Patrol offers car buyers in the UAE a whole range of variants and option packages, the latter including the top-trim Patrol Nismo. While the Patrol is understandably an expensive SUV even by UAE standards, it drives a hard bargain when it comes to its extensive features, punchy yet smooth powertrains, spacious & comfortable cabin, and above all – its sheer size and reputation in the market!