In a world where off-roading behemoths are becoming a rarity, the 2023 Nissan Patrol Warrior shines as a legend. With its robust 5.6-litre V8 engine, this monster truck dominates any terrain, with ease.
What sets the Patrol Warrior apart is its status as one of the few remaining big 4x4s in a market increasingly focused on electric and hybrid alternatives, or downsized engines. At $104,000 plus on-roads, it costs a lot of coin, but it’s worth every cent.
From its bold exterior to its attention-grabbing details, the Patrol Warrior makes a statement. With strong lines, a rugged gloss black grille, and aggressive stance, this vehicle demands respect.
The modern touch of LED headlights and taillights add to its appeal, while its massive wheels and high ground clearance showcase its off-road capabilities. The unmistakable bright red bash plate underneath, emblazoned with the word Warrior, is hard to miss.
It’s the same for the side-mounted bimodal exhaust on the driver’s side, providing a symphony for the ears. With abundant Warrior badging and decals, there’s no mistaking its presence either.
The Warrior offers several off-roading upgrades compared to its base model counterpart. These include 18-inch alloys with 295 all-terrain Yokohama tires, and a 50mm higher ground clearance thanks to 29mm extra lift in the suspension (323mm in total).
It features a reengineered hydraulic body control system for a 40mm wider front track and a 40-degree front approach angle, and also comes equipped with recovery points on the rear bumper. Constant 4WD lets you switch between 4H and 4L.
A rear differential lock, and various drive modes including hill descent control, complete a very capable package. Inside, the Patrol Warrior features a spacious and comfortable cabin, albeit one that feels like it was created in the year 2000.
Feeling more suitable for a museum than a modern vehicle, it features an 8.0-inch infotainment screen, and a host of buttons that give off a proper retro vibe. The absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is among some inherent flaws in the ageing platform.
Despite these shortcomings though, the analogue driver’s display is a refreshing contrast to modern digital screens. The interior is well-crafted, and the high-quality materials like the leather seats and dash, give a premium feel.
It’s worth noting that the 2024 version of this vehicle will score a 10.1-inch multimedia colour touchscreen display, wireless & wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, iGO street navigation, and HEMA off road maps.
It also grabs DAB+ digital radio, and USB-C and USB-A charging ports. In the 2023 version, the replacement of the wooden trim with Alcantara that spells out “Warrior” on the passenger side, is another nice touch.
What makes the big Patrol epic though is its practicality. Able to accommodate up to eight passengers with ample leg room and head room in the front and second row, the third row is best suited for children, unless you dislike the people your giving a lift to.
The climate control system ensures a comfortable ride for all passengers, even in that back row, and there are numerous storage compartments throughout the cabin. Large door pockets, a centre console with cupholders, and a glove box for smaller items all feature.
The rear cargo area is generous in size, with a payload capacity of 828kg. With the third row up, the Patrol Warrior offers 468-liters of boot capacity, which increases to 1413-litres with it down. Drop the second row and it provides a whopping 2623-litres of storage space.
In a time where environmental concerns are at the forefront of automotive technology, the V8 engine in the Nissan Patrol Warrior sets it apart from its competitors. The sound of the roaring engine as it tackles rugged terrain is music to the ears, both on and off road.
Its 5.6-litre V8 engine produces 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which allows this monster truck to accelerate from to 100km/h in just over six seconds. Impressive for an SUV with a hefty kerb weight.
It delivers power and performance in spades, regardless of the road surface, and with a braked towing capacity of 3500kg, it can haul a heavy load too. But it’s off road capability, the Patrol warrior truly shines.
With its advanced four-wheel drive system, rugged suspension, and durable construction, this SUV can conquer even the toughest trails. You would expect such a heavy car to be awful when it comes to ride comfort, but you would be completely wrong.
It glides over bumps and uneven surfaces. The Patrol Warrior also features a range of safety and driver assistance technologies, including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot assist, and lane departure warning.
There’s also a 360-degree camera, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and curtain air bags for all three rows, as well as front and side versions up front.
But if there’s somewhere the Warrior falls short, it’s efficiency, with the most disappointing aspect of this vehicle being its inability to retain fuel in the tank. Despite having a 140-litre holding space, the best we could manage was 18.0-litres/100km.
Far from the claimed 14.4-litres/100km, you’ll certainly burn through it at a rate of knots. The exhilarating sound produced by the V8 engine when accelerating however, makes up for this shortcoming.
Ultimately, the fuel efficiency is far from perfect, but the driving experience more than makes up for it. Buying a 2023 Patrol Warrior is like owning a piece of history; it remains a symbol of power and performance in an ever shrinking market space.
It’s a reminder of a time when big, powerful engines ruled road and dirt, and for those who appreciate power, performance and size, the big Nissan is worth every cent. You can find out more from the dedicated Warrior website, or by talking to your local dealership.
Our test vehicle was provided by Nissan Australia for review purposes.
