For more than 50 years the hardy Nissan Patrol has served in war zones, towed burger vans and carried children to school. But lately it has faced its biggest challenge yet: increasing fuel costs and a backlash against 4x4s.

When the current model was launched in October 2004, Nissan’s response was to slim the range down to a single 3 litre turbodiesel engine, a five-door body and two trim levels. But in every other respect the Patrol remained the same — and unapologetic.

At more than 16ft long and nearly 6½ft wide, it’s one of the bulkiest vehicles on the road. So before you buy one, ask yourself this: do you need a workhorse? Think carefully, because modern road manners are not part of the Patrol’s repertoire.

The driving position affords a view to make mountaineers feel at home; there is enough space for them and their sherpa; and the 668 litre boot swallows luggage like a crevasse. Pick the SVE model and you can raise the occupant count to seven, thanks to a pair of fold-down seats in the boot.
 
The 3 litre six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces 160bhp and 280 lb ft of torque (261 lb ft on automatic models), allowing a maximum braked trailer weight of 3,500kg — perfect for the horsebox or caravan. Despite its modest top speed of 99mph, the Patrol will comfortably cruise at the legal limit with passengers and luggage aboard. A claimed combined-cycle fuel economy of 26.2mpg is largely confirmed by owner experience, and it’s impressive for such a large vehicle.

In town, there is no getting away from the Patrol’s off-roading roots. Its knobbly, high-walled tyres make for vague steering, a fair bit of body roll and limited grip, but the ride is comfortable, and wind and road noise are well suppressed. It’s on the rough stuff that this 4x4 shows its mettle; with the ability to wade to a depth of more than 2ft, locking differentials and a low-ratio transfer box, the Patrol can take you well beyond the limits of fluffier off-roaders.

Nissan revised the range in 2006, reducing list prices and renaming the variants. The entry-level S became the Trek; the SVE was renamed the Aventura. The S/Trek has a CD player, air-conditioning, electric windows and remote central locking, while the SVE/Aventura adds leather upholstery, wood trim, satellite navigation and the extra seats. Expect to pay about £2,000 more for the higher-spec seven-seater.

Finding one, however, is not easy. Many owners buy a Patrol new and run it for a lifetime. At least the gloom surrounding big cars has dented second-hand values: in the past six months a 2004 54-plate Patrol has been dropping in value by about £150 per week. You could pick one up for £4,000 less now than you could have back in February.

AUTOMATIC
Auto box gives almost identical fuel consumption to manual

BRAKES
Front brakes prone to wear, especially on automatics
 
BUMPERS
Patrol’s great length often leads to parking damage
 
CLUTCH
Towing operations are hard on the clutch, so check it
 
SAT NAV
DVD system, standard on SVE, is one of the best in any car
 
SERVICING
9,000-mile services — check history
 
TAILGATE
Look for corrosion in hinges and lock
 
TRANSMISSION
Listen for gearbox and diff rumbles
 
TYRES
Inner edge of tyres prone to wear
 
UNDER BODY
Check sills and exhaust for damage

 

Alternative

Or for similar money:

2003 03 Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE Geartronic
2003 52 Toyota Land Cruiser 3.0 D-4D LC3
2004 53 Land Rover Discovery 2.5 Td5 ES
2005 05 Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 DI-D
2005 55 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Ltd



Figures based on CAP August 2008 edition

 © Bumper Media Limited September 2008