From Sand to Street: Seven Decades of The Nissan Patrol’s Grit and Glory

Discover the history of the beast that eats boulders for breakfast and smokes tarmac for dinner.

From Australia’s Outback to the Arabian dunes, the Nissan Patrol is an unstoppable machine that redefined rugged. Over seven decades and generations, the Nissan Patrol has gained worldwide reverence for its immense off-roading prowess and rock-solid ruggedness. Over this part of the green globe, the Patrol is a true icon with a legendary stature and cult following. It has remained one of the best-selling models in the Middle East for quite a long time now. In 2023, the Patrol was the second-best-selling car model in the UAE, second only to the Nissan Sunny. We expect this success streak to continue with the newly introduced, latest, and arguably the greatest seventh-generation Patrol. But then, have you ever wondered how a rugged SUV managed to achieve such a high degree of respect and veneration? To comprehend that, you should gain a full understanding of the war-battling, dune-bashing, turbo-whistling history of this legendary SUV. Let’s dissect the annals of the Nissan Patrol, generation by generation.

First Generation (4W60) 1951-1960: The One That Conquered Mount Fuji

The original Nissan Patrol was an old-school midsize off-roader. It was very much redolent of the Willys Jeep, that it was nicknamed the Nissan Jeep. The 4W60 shares its birth year with yet another living legend — the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Initially exclusive to the Japanese market, the 4W60 was exclusively a petrol-powered, 4-wheel-drive vehicle offered in SUV and wagon configurations. The first-gen Nissan Jeep SUVs were powered by a 3.7-liter inline-6 engine, sourced from the Nissan 290 bus of the time, exclusively mated to a 4-speed manual transmission. The original Patrol demonstrated its exceptional off-roading prowess by attaining a groundbreaking achievement. It was the first car to conquer Mount Fuji — a 2,500-meter ascend.

For the first time, the maiden Patrol was bestowed with a refresh in 1955, marking the debut of the 4W61 Patrol. The 4W61 brought forth a few cosmetic changes along with a powertrain upgrade, replacing the 3.7-liter with a new 4.0-liter inline-6. However, the “Nissan Jeep” donned the iconic Patrol appellation for the first time only in 1958, when the 4W65 iteration was introduced. Thus, the legendary nameplate was born, seven years after the birth of the legend itself. The first Patrol arrived at the Middle-Eastern shores in 1957, specifically in Kuwait. It quickly garnered attention and appreciation for its all-terrain capabilities.

Second Generation (60 Series) 1959-1980: The One That Crossed The Simpson Desert

The second generation Nissan Patrol arrived in 1959, with an expanded portfolio comprising more configurations to choose from. Dubbed the 60 Series, the second-gen Nissan Patrol was produced in short, medium, and long wheelbase versions with soft-top hard-top, and wagon body style options.

It was also the first Patrol to be extensively exported to other global markets, including the USA, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East. In fact, the Patrol was the first model to be sold in the U.S. as a Nissan-badged car. All 60 Series Patrol models continued to be powered by a 4.0-liter inline-6 motor, which initially came paired with a 3-speed manual transmission which was later upgraded to a 4-speed manual.

While the first Patrol attained glory by climbing a mountain, the second one crossed a desert to amass eminence. In 1962, a short-wheelbase hard-top Nissan Patrol crossed the Simpson Desert, which spans across the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Queensland in central Australia. The course, traversing an extensive expanse of around 1,100 dunes, was completed in 12 days, and Nissan Australia claims that this Patrol was the first motorized vehicle to achieve this feat.

On another side of the world, the Indian army obtained a license from Nissan to manufacture their own version of the 60 Series Patrol in the early sixties. Named the Nissan Jonga (Jabalpur Ordnance and Guncarriage Assembly), this military-spec Patrol proved itself in the 1965 and 1971 wars and later in several counter-insurgency operations across the country. Further down the line, a civilian version of the Jonga was sold to the public, marking the Patrol’s official (kind of) presence in India too. It is also noteworthy that it was during the era of the 60 Series Patrol, specifically in 1968, when the AW Rostamani Group established Arabian Automobiles, which is now the largest and sole distributor of Nissan cars in the UAE.

Third Generation (160 Series) 1980-1989: The One That Ranked In The Paris-Dakar

The successor to the 60 Series Patrol arrived in 1980 and was christened with the model code 160. The third generation Patrol was the first of its kind to address the needs of and appeal to all kinds of consumers, whereas the first two generations were more purpose-built vehicles.

The 160 Series introduced several novelties, including an automatic transmission, a 5-door body style, a seven-seater cabin layout, and air conditioning. On top of that, the Patrol was now offered with multiple petrol and diesel engine options. The 160 Series can be considered the first Patrol for the masses, as it came outfitted with desirable amenities and convenience features.

The successor to the 60 Series Patrol arrived in 1980 and was christened with the model code 160. The third generation Patrol was the first of its kind to address the needs of and appeal to all kinds of consumers, whereas the first two generations were more purpose-built vehicles. The 160 Series introduced several novelties, including an automatic transmission, a 5-door body style, a seven-seater cabin layout, and air conditioning. On top of that, the Patrol was now offered with multiple petrol and diesel engine options. The 160 Series can be considered the first Patrol for the masses, as it came outfitted with desirable amenities and convenience features.

However, no compromises were made to achieve these positives, as the Patrol continued to exemplify its immense resilience. The third-generation Patrol achieved a milestone in 1987, becoming the first diesel-powered vehicle to ever finish in the top 10 of the fabled Paris Dakar Rally. This mighty victory wasn’t an easy venture for the Patrol. Nissan partnered up with Coca-Cola and enrolled two vehicles enshrouded in a bright yellow Fanta-Limón livery for the 13,000 km race across Europe, Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. Unfortunately, the team’s support truck broke down during the second stage of the rally, while one of the two participant trucks met a catastrophic fate after rolling down a dune. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the remaining Patrol, managed to complete the race, that too without spares and support. This superlative feat further concreted the Patrol’s reputation as a formidable 4×4 SUV in the global automotive landscape. The third-generation Nissan Patrol was also the first to be called the Nissan Safari in Japan, a name that later gained global fame.

Fourth Generation (Y60) 1989-1997: The One That Blended Luxury With Performance

The fourth generation Nissan Patrol code-named Y60 was a massive innovative leap in terms of comfort and convenience. The most prominent advancement was the upgrade to an all-around coil-spring suspension setup, which was state-of-the-art technology at the time, compared to the leaf-spring setup of its predecessors.

This major milestone in the path of the Patrol’s evolution was also complemented by the addition of power steering and synchro mesh in reverse gear. This trio of upgrades elevated the Nissan Patrol into the luxury segment, while its inherent ruggedness remained intact and unaffected. Nissan essentially uplifted the Patrol into a realm previously dominated by purebred luxury SUVs lik the Range Rover of the time.

Fifth Generation (Y61) 1997- Present: The One Adored By The Middle East

The fifth generation is arguably the most iconic and influential Nissan Patrol ever. Nissan revealed the fifth generation Patrol, code-named Y61, in December 1997, thus transcending the model’s rock-solid reputation into the modern automotive era. It was a comprehensive redesign, introducing a bunch of new powertrain options. The new design was truly revolutionary, featuring a sleeker body shape and a new V-shaped grille. The interior also flaunted upgraded materials, while the feature set was updated with additions including satellite navigation and a reverse camera.

The Y61 Patrol is easily the most iconic, evocative generation of the mighty off-roader, gaining a worldwide reputation for its massive 4.8-liter TB48DE inline-6 motor (massive for an inline-6). Such high-displacement 6-cylinder motors are a rare sight nowadays, and this configuration made the Y61 a creamy smooth SUV with plenty of torque available across the rev range. The sturdy, brawny motor was also exceptionally tuner-friendly, which was properly exploited by enthusiasts, especially in the Middle East. The TB48DE could handle north of 2,000 horsepower, which made it the emperor of both the dunes and roads. The Y61 was so influential in the Middle East that it was reincarnated exclusively for the said market in 2017.

Dubbed the Nissan Patrol Super Safari, the new variant was an updated version that retained the original appeal while adding some touches of modernity. As expected, it was powered by the renowned 4.8-liter inline-6, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. While the exterior remained mostly identical to the original Y61, the Super Safari’s interior featured novelties including powered front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic climate control, and more. Followed by the success of the Super Safari, Nissan launched its even cooler 3-door version —also known as the Hard Top version— in the Middle East. While the body style is different, the specifications and feature set remained the same.

Sixth Generation (Y62) 2010-Present: The One With 8 Cylinders And A NISMO Badge

The sixth generation Nissan Patrol code-named Y62 was unveiled in February 2010 in Abu Dhabi. This is the Patrol model we now see abundantly on UAE roads in its various iterations (mostly Platinum and NISMO). The new Patrol was longer and wider than ever, and this time there was no short-wheelbase model on offer. The Patrol had now transformed into a beefier full-size SUV that offered superior cabin space while not compromising on off-roadability. Nissan also introduced a more luxurious, Infiniti-badged version of the Patrol dubbed the QX56 (later the QX80). It was the first Patrol-based vehicle to be sold in the North American market since, 1969. Later on, a direct iteration of the Patrol was introduced in North America in 2017, in the form of the Nissan Armada.

For the first time, the new Patrol was offered with a V8 motor, initially as the standard powertrain and later exclusively as a higher-end option. At first, this 5.6-liter V8 was the only powertrain offered with the Y62 Patrol, which produced 317 horsepower in the lower-spec and came paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The same motor churned out 400 horses in the higher-end configuration and was clubbed to a 7-speed automatic. Later on, the base V8 was replaced by a 4.0-liter V6 that cranked out 275 horsepower and 394 nm of torque, while the lower-output V8 powertrain was discontinued. Also, initially, a manual transmission was offered with the base trim.

For 2014, Nissan facelifted the Patrol, adorning it with revised lighting elements, LED headlamps, a new interior shade, and a new set of wheels. The next major facelift happened in 2019 when the Patrol received a new, more angular front and bumpers, giving the mighty off-roader a modern flair and a sportier mien. This facelift also equipped the Patrol with Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility driver-assistance features.

Following this update, in 2021, we saw the birth of something new and paradigm-shifting. Nissan unveiled the first-ever Patrol NISMO variant, exclusive to the GCC countries. The Nissan Patrol NISMO featured signature, NISMO-specific elements including sportier front and rear fascia, a red and black interior with carbon fiber accents, 22-inch 2-tone alloys, and a set of Bilstein shocks for enhanced handling. Powering the Patrol NISMO was the same 5.6-liter V8, which was tuned to produce a higher output of 428 horsepower and 560 nm. Now that the new and latest generation Y63 2025 Nissan Patrol is exclusively V6-powered, the Y62 achieves a future-collectible status, as the only factory-V8-powered Nissan Patrol. This makes the NISMO version even more desirable.

Seventh Generation (Y63) 2024+: The One That Continues The Legacy

Now for the latest flag-bearer of the Patrol legacy, as Nissan calls it — their “symbol of adventure, pride, and resilience in the Middle East”. The all-new Nissan Patrol was unveiled on the 3rd of September. The new generation builds on its immediate predecessor with a wave of modernity inside out, while retaining the Patrol’s inherent boldness and ruggedness. The new Patrol looks cutting edge and comes laden with more advanced underpinnings and technology features.

The new Nissan Patrol is powered exclusively by a pair of V6 powertrain options. The base version is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6, producing 316HP and 386Nm of torque. The heart of the matter is the new high-end powertrain, a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that cranks out 425HP and 700Nm of torque. Both engines come mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission.

Inside the all-new Patrol, you are treated with all sorts of tech features expected from a contemporary luxury SUV. The infotainment setup has been upgraded with a new 28.6-inch horizontal Monolith display, featuring twin 14.3-inch touchscreens with Google built-in. Complementing this high-end central infotainment system is a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium audio system, offering a proprietary surround sound setup optimized for the Patrol. The latest Patrol is undoubtedly a thorough upgrade over the one it succeeds, and this groundbreaking update endows the Patrol with futuristic characteristics while keeping its rugged DNA intact.