Nissan Patrol

Diesel Demon

Released late in 2006, the new Nissan Patrol Ti 3lt Turbo Diesel will head up an already strong line-up of Patrol diesel vehicles that includes the entry level DX, mid-spec ST, ST-S and ST-L models.

Nissan is hopeful the diesel version of the Patrol Ti model will be a popular choice, especially for those looking to minimise fuel costs yet still drive a big and powerful four-wheel drive.

On its release, general manager of marketing for Nissan Australia, Ross Booth said: "The addition of a Ti variant with a 3lt turbo diesel engine is great news for prestige 4x4 customers, providing the proven economy of diesel in a luxury Patrol wagon."

I’m not sure luxury is the best way to describe the Patrol, and I mean that in the most complimentary way. It's certainly not as luxurious as other vehicles in the 4x4 segment, like BMW or Lexus, and nor should it be. The Patrol’s strength is in its ability to get down and dirty off the beaten track and provide you with excellent towing and off-road performance.

While our test car had automatic transmission, the Patrol Ti is also available as a five-speed manual, and is powered by a ZD30 3lt turbo diesel engine that delivers 118kW at 3600rpm, with 380Nm of torque at 2000rpm.

These numbers, along with a towing capacity of 3500kg, means it's capable of pulling some big fibreglass rigs, like a Whittley cruiser or a top-end American dayboat. It’ll also handle that dodgy boat ramp off the beaten track with ease.

The Patrol Ti was a touch sluggish through the low gears but once out of the hustle and bustle and on the open road it provided a nice, if somewhat loud driving experience. Cabin insulation from road noise is an area that could be improved.

As a top-of-the-range vehicle, the features list on the Patrol Ti is expansive and almost identical to the Ti 4.8lt petrol version. A sophisticated satellite navigation system with remote control is located in the centre of the dashboard, while a reversing camera is also a standard feature of this model.

Other features include climate control, rear air-conditioning, leather trim, driver's seat height and lumbar adjustment, power windows and mirrors, central locking, in-dash six-stack CD, steering wheel audio controls, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Patrol Ti's cabin is spacious and capable of carrying up to seven passengers. If you’re looking for more luggage space on a long-haul trip the third row of seats fold up to provide cargo space. Access to this cargo space is via the vertical split rear door, which is a handy feature across the entire Patrol range.

In terms of safety, the Patrol Ti comes with a full complement of SRS airbags and ABS.

Aesthetically, the Ti matches its performance. It's a robust vehicle that is capable of towing some big loads while still delivering on performance. It’s not luxurious and if you're looking for a vehicle in the 4x4 sector purely for urban cruising then you might opt for a smaller Patrol or look for another badge. But in terms of bush-bashing, the Patrol will be hard to toss.

» Click here for CarPoint's further news & reviews articles on the Nissan Patrol range