All-New Nissan Patrol Pro-4X Review: Flagship Muscle, Everyday Manners

I’ve never driven a Patrol before. My closest Nissan reference point is our 2013 Pathfinder, so stepping into the all-new Patrol Pro-4X felt less like a normal review and more like a crash course in how far Nissan’s biggest SUV has evolved.

The first thing that hits you is presence. The Patrol is big, not just in terms of length or height, but in the way it occupies space. You climb into it rather than step in, and once seated, the elevated driving position gives you that commanding SUV feel Patrol buyers love.

What surprised me most, though, is how un-old-school it feels.

That’s probably the biggest takeaway from my weekend with the Patrol. Nissan has modernised it in a major way. It still has the size, presence and toughness buyers expect, but now feels significantly more refined, more comfortable and far more tech-focused than before.

A quick note before we begin. This was a weekend loan covering city roads, highways and family duty, not dune bashing. The Pro-4X is built for off-road adventures, but realistically, most owners will spend far more time doing school runs, highway drives and mall parking than climbing dunes. So that’s exactly how I approached this review.

A design you grow into

In Forest Green with the black roof, the Patrol Pro-4X looks much better in person than it does in Nissan’s official photos. The dual-tone finish works especially well on this trim, giving the big SUV a rugged but premium feel. Up front, the Double C-shaped LED lights are the standout design feature. They give the Patrol a strong identity, especially at night, and pair nicely with the huge grille and upright front-end design.

The Pro-4X-specific details are also nicely judged. You get black exterior trim, black overfenders, 20-inch black wheels, red tow hooks and subtle red accents, including the red-ringed Nissan badge. Thankfully, Nissan didn’t overdo the rugged styling with unnecessary fake off-road theatrics.

The rear is where opinions may split. After years of broadly horizontal rear lighting, the new Patrol now gets tall vertical taillights connected by a full-width light bar. It took me a while to get used to, but after a couple of days it started growing on me. It makes the rear look wider, more modern and more premium, even if traditional Patrol fans may need time to warm up to it.

Underneath sit 20-inch wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tyres, which make it clear this isn’t just a cosmetic off-road package. This SUV has real presence.

Inside, it feels expensive

The cabin is where the money announces itself. The charcoal quilted leather carries PRO-4X embroidery and copper-toned contrast stitching, and the finishing around the twin 14.3-inch screens and the gloss-black console feels a class above. Does it feel like a flagship from the driver’s seat? Definitely.

The front seats are spacious, heavily adjustable and very comfortable. Ventilated seats are especially welcome in Dubai’s heat and made an immediate difference during my drives. Visibility is another major highlight. You sit noticeably higher than in the Pathfinder; the view out is expansive, and I was surprised by how slim the A-pillars felt. For a large SUV, visibility is genuinely excellent.

One practical complaint is the fixed side step. You need to step onto it to get in and out, which is fine, but unlike some rivals, it doesn’t retract. I also found it doesn’t extend far enough toward the rear, so I occasionally caught the edge while climbing out from the second row. The adaptive air suspension lowers the vehicle in Park to make entry easier, which helps, but the step design could be better.

I’d also tweak the centre console layout. The cupholders sit slightly too far forward, making drinks less convenient to reach, while the wireless charging pad occupies the easier-to-access position. Realistically, once your phone is connected, it mostly stays put. The cupholders deserve the better spot.

Roomy for people, tighter for cargo

As a family SUV, the Patrol scores well where it matters most. The second row is genuinely spacious. My kids immediately commented that it felt much roomier than our Pathfinder, and that impression feels accurate. There’s noticeably more space and a greater sense of width, making it far more comfortable for family duty. Passengers in the second row are also well looked after. There are dedicated climate controls, heated and ventilated seat controls, USB-C ports and plenty of room to stretch out.

The third row is usable, but with realistic expectations. At 178 cm, I could fit without too much trouble, but it feels tight for anything beyond shorter trips. Think 15–20 minute journeys rather than long drives. Kids and smaller adults will fare much better. Access to the third row is straightforward thanks to Nissan’s EZ Flex second-row tilt-and-slide system. It’s easy enough to operate, though it remains a manual process.

Boot space tells a similar story. With all three rows up, there isn’t much space behind the third row. Groceries, gym bags and smaller items are fine, but anything larger quickly becomes a challenge. Folding down one side of the third row makes a huge difference, transforming the cargo area into something far more practical.

Clever tech, with one odd quirk

The 28.6-inch Monolith display — two 14.3-inch screens side by side — anchors the dashboard, and it’s quick and clear in use. The Pro-4X runs MyNISSAN with Google built-in, and that’s the surprise of the package: Google Maps and Google Assistant worked on the move without tethering a phone, and the Assistant responds faster than it does on my home Wi-Fi. That speed comes from the system caching maps locally, so navigation and local searches feel instant; live queries that need a live data connection are where it stops short, and it didn’t field questions about the car’s own fuel or range.

The 12-speaker Klipsch audio system is good, but not exceptional. I tested it using Apple Music over Bluetooth as well as FM radio, and both sounded clean and balanced. It gets sufficiently loud, vocals come through clearly, and there’s little to complain about in day-to-day use. But for a branded premium audio setup, it never really delivers that wow moment.

One feature I expected to dislike but actually enjoyed was the digital rear-view mirror. I usually switch these off immediately because they tend to give me a headache, but the Patrol’s implementation is genuinely good. The clarity and frame rate are excellent, making it one of the better digital mirror systems I’ve used. I still switched back to the regular mirror because I found it easier to judge distance conventionally, but as digital mirrors go, this is a very good one.

The 360-degree camera system is another highlight. For something this large, it makes a real difference in tight spaces, parking lots and narrow roads. The ability to switch between multiple angles is especially useful, and image quality is excellent.

There are, however, a few usability quirks. The strangest involves the steering wheel controls. The wheel gives you directional buttons and a vertical scroll wheel for navigating the infotainment system. Logic suggests horizontally arranged menu icons should be navigated using the left and right buttons.

That’s not how Nissan does it.

Instead, horizontal menu movement is mapped to the vertical scroll wheel. It works once you get used to it, but it feels unintuitive at first. It’s a small thing, but the kind of daily friction you notice over time. Overall, the software experience sums up the new Patrol nicely. It’s fast, polished and genuinely impressive, but occasionally a little strange.

Effortless on the road, with a turbo kick in reserve

The drive is where the Patrol really impressed me. Under the hood sits a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 425 hp and 700 Nm, paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. On paper, those are strong numbers, but what matters more is how the power feels in the real world.

The best word to describe it is effortless.

At normal throttle inputs, the Patrol feels responsive and eager without being dramatic. It moves off cleanly, builds speed smoothly and never feels sluggish. The nine-speed automatic deserves a lot of credit here because shifts are so smooth you barely notice them happening. This is not a powertrain trying to feel sporty. It’s tuned for refinement first.

Push harder, and the character changes. Floor the throttle, and there’s a brief pause, roughly a second to a second and a half, before the turbos fully wake up. Then it goes.

Once the boost arrives, the Patrol moves with surprising urgency. The best way I can describe it is this: the speedometer starts moving in chunks rather than increments. Instead of climbing gradually, speeds start rising alarmingly fast. I backed off fairly quickly on Sheikh Zayed Road before a speed camera turned this review into an expensive exercise.

The engine note itself is pleasant. There’s a good underlying grunt and enough character to remind you there’s serious power under the hood. It’s not loud or aggressive, and certainly not the kind of soundtrack that turns heads, but that feels intentional. The Patrol sounds muscular rather than theatrical.

Ride quality is arguably the standout feature of this SUV. The adaptive air suspension is excellent. Bumps that would have my Tesla thudding are handled with impressive composure here. The Patrol simply glides over rough surfaces in a way that feels genuinely premium.

At highway speeds, the Patrol feels stable and planted. At 120 km/h, it masks speed very well. You know you’re moving quickly, but it never feels frantic or nervous. Instead, it feels calm and reassuring, exactly what you want from a large SUV.

Cabin refinement is good, though not class-leading. Tyre noise is impressively well controlled. When cruising or coasting, cabin quietness is excellent and, at times, reminds me of my Tesla. However, road noise is still noticeable, and the engine makes its presence known when you accelerate hard.

The steering is another pleasant surprise. It’s light and direct, and makes the Patrol feel easier to drive than something this size has any right to. You don’t need large steering inputs, and placing the car in tight spaces feels surprisingly easy. It still feels like a large SUV, but never intimidating.

The brakes are good, though they require slightly more pedal pressure than I expected. Stopping power is strong, but brake calibration feels firmer than that of rivals like the Lincoln Navigator.

Driver assistance is a mixed bag. The lane assist system here is more of a safety feature than a true lane-centring system. It doesn’t actively keep the Patrol centred in its lane like Tesla Autopilot or newer highway assist systems. Instead, it remains mostly passive and intervenes only when you drift toward the lane markings, gently nudging you back.

Built to go off-road, even if you won’t

The Pro-4X backs up its rugged styling with real hardware. You get adaptive air suspension, all-terrain Yokohama tyres, underbody skid protection, multiple terrain modes, a rear differential lock and Nissan’s off-road camera systems, including the excellent Invisible Hood View.

This isn’t just a cosmetic off-road trim. The hardware is real, and it’s one of the biggest reasons to choose the Pro-4X over the more road-focused Patrol variants.

I didn’t take the Patrol off-road during my weekend with it, so I won’t pretend to evaluate dune performance based purely on spec sheets and marketing slides. But the capability is clearly there, and buyers looking for a Patrol that can comfortably handle both city life and weekend desert adventures will appreciate what Nissan has built here.

What the Pro-4X asks you to give up

This is the part buyers need to pay close attention to. The Pro-4X may look like the flagship Patrol, but it isn’t the most luxurious version in the range. Nissan positions it as the rugged, adventure-focused trim, and that means sacrificing a few premium features along the way.

Most notably, there’s no ProPILOT lane-centring system here. You still get adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure prevention, but not true lane centring.

There’s also no head-up display and no massage seats, both of which are available on higher luxury-focused trims. Another surprising omission is ambient lighting. Nissan advertises a 64-colour ambient lighting system in the new Patrol, but on the Pro-4X, lighting is white only. You can adjust brightness, but not colour.

None of these are dealbreakers, but at AED 362,900, they are noticeable omissions. That’s the trade-off in a nutshell. The Pro-4X spends its money on rugged hardware, off-road capability and visual presence rather than maximum luxury. For some buyers, that will be exactly the right balance.

What it’ll cost to run

A weekend isn’t enough for a proper fuel economy test, but the trip computer gave a decent indication of what to expect.

Over roughly 109 km, which included more than a few enthusiastic full-throttle pulls, the estimated range dropped from 722 km to 534 km. Based on Nissan’s 97-litre fuel tank, that works out to roughly 23 L/100 km during my time with the car. That’s undeniably thirsty, but hardly surprising for a 2.7-tonne SUV with a twin-turbo V6 and 425 hp.

At handover, after presumably gentler use, the car showed a much more reasonable estimate of 13–14 L/100 km. Realistically, most owners will land somewhere between those figures depending on how heavy their right foot is.

Fuel economy is not the Patrol’s party trick, and buyers in this segment probably already know that.

Price and verdict

At AED 362,900, the Patrol Pro-4X sits in an interesting position. This isn’t the most luxurious Patrol in the range, nor is it trying to be. Instead, Nissan has positioned it as the rugged, adventure-focused flagship. That means you’re getting the strongest engine, genuine off-road hardware, bold styling and excellent road presence, but also giving up some premium features in the process.

After spending a weekend with it, what stands out most is just how complete the package feels. The new Patrol is a massive leap forward in refinement, comfort and technology. It feels expensive inside, rides beautifully, drives smaller than its size suggests and offers a strong tech experience. The ride quality alone is enough to impress.

More importantly, Nissan has modernised the Patrol without losing what made the Patrol special in the first place. It still feels big, commanding and tough. It still has presence. It still feels like something built for this region. It’s just now far more refined and significantly more tech-forward than before.

That doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Cabin refinement is good but not class-leading, the third row remains best for shorter trips, fuel economy is predictably thirsty, and the infotainment system has a few odd quirks. The missing features also matter more than expected at this price. No ProPILOT, no HUD and no massage seats will definitely matter to some buyers.

But none of those issues meaningfully hurt the overall experience. The Patrol Pro-4X is the trim to buy if you want the rugged-looking Patrol with real off-road capability and can live without every luxury feature. If your priority is maximum comfort and every possible feature, the higher luxury-focused trims may make more sense.

For everyone else, this is a seriously impressive SUV and one of Nissan’s strongest Patrols yet.

Buy it if:

• You want the strongest engine in the range and genuine off-road hardware in the toughest-looking Patrol.
• You value presence, ride comfort and a premium cabin over the latest driver-assist tech.
• You need a family SUV that properly looks after second-row passengers.

Don’t buy it if:

• ProPILOT lane-centring is a must-have for your highway commute — this grade omits it.
• You want the head-up display, massage seats, or multicolour ambient lighting (all available only in Platinum City).
• You regularly carry seven people and their luggage — the boot behind row three is modest.

FAQ

How much does the Nissan Patrol Pro-4X cost in the UAE?

Pricing starts from AED 362,900.

What engine does the Patrol Pro-4X have?

It uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 425 hp and 700 Nm of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Does the Nissan Patrol Pro-4X have ProPILOT?

No. The Pro-4X omits ProPILOT and Lane Keep Assist. It keeps adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot systems and Lane Departure Prevention, but it won’t actively centre the car in its lane.

How many seats does the Patrol Pro-4X have?

Eight, across three rows.

Is the Patrol Pro-4X good off-road?

On paper, yes. It comes equipped with adaptive air suspension, all-terrain tyres, skid protection, terrain modes and a rear differential lock. We did not test this vehicle off-road during our review.

What is the Nissan Patrol Pro-4X’s fuel consumption?

It has a 97-litre tank. During our spirited test drive, the trip computer indicated roughly 23 L/100 km. Under gentler driving, expect closer to 13–14 L/100 km.