Nissan Patrol: Right-hand drive Y63 production begins as long-awaited launch nears

The next-generation Y63-series Nissan Patrol is creeping ever closer to its local launch, with right-hand drive production commencing in Japan.

The first examples of the Japanese brand's new off-road SUV flagship have rolled down the production line at the Nissan Shatai Kyushu plant, destined for Australia.

The plant produces not only the Patrol/Armada in both left- and right-hand drive guise, but also the related Infiniti QX80 flagship luxury SUV, as well as the unrelated Nissan Elgrand people mover.

Nissan will officially launch the Y63 Patrol in Australia in the coming months, with first Australian customer deliveries scheduled for the first quarter (January to March) of 2027.

It's been a long wait for the new full-size SUV, which was revealed back in September 2024 and went on sale in the Middle East and North America shortly thereafter.

The Y63 ditches the outgoing Y62's naturally aspirated 5.6-litre petrol V8 and seven-speed automatic transmission in favour of a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 and a nine-speed auto.

Despite the smaller engine, power and torque are up by 19kW and 140Nm respectively, for outputs of 317kW and 700Nm.

Braked towing capacity has been increased from 3500kg to a segment-leading 3700kg, beating the V8-powered GMC Yukon's 3628kg figure, plus the 3500kg maximum of the Patrol's arch-rival, the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

It features a new ladder-frame chassis, with Nissan claiming a 40 per cent increase in torsional rigidity for reduced noise, vibration and harshness and improved ride and handling.

The base price has climbed by $2450 to $98,990 before on-road costs, with the entry-level Ti being one of six variants that will be offered in Australia – double the size of the outgoing Y62 range, and it may be expanded later with a new Warrior variant currently under evaluation.

Unlike the LandCruiser 300 Series, all Y63 Patrol variants will feature an eight-seat layout.

Every Australian Y63 will also come with electric power steering, full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case with 4H and 4L modes, an electronic locking rear differential, and eight selectable drive and terrain modes.

Inside are either dual 12.3-inch or 14.3-inch digital displays, depending on the variant, with the infotainment system featuring Google Built-in with embedded Google apps such as Gemini and Google Maps.

Stepping up the Y63 Patrol range brings features like adaptive air suspension, Intelligent Dynamic Damping, a head-up display, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual 12.8-inch second-row entertainment screens. You can read a breakdown of the Y63 range here.

The first Patrol was launched in Japan in 1951, before the off-roader made its way to Australia in 1961, giving Datsun – as the Nissan brand was then known – its first direct rival for the Toyota LandCruiser. Nissan has subsequently sold more than 258,000 Patrols in Australia since its launch here.

In recent years, Nissan has narrowed the gulf in popularity between the Patrol and the rival LandCruiser.

Last year, a total of 6027 sales separated the Patrol and LandCruiser lineups – the closest margin since 2011. The caveat here is Toyota bundles sales of its 300 Series and older 70 Series LandCruiser wagons together.

A total of 6263 Patrols reached Australian buyers in 2025, down 24.5 per cent on the previous year, while Toyota delivered 12,290 LandCruiser wagons, down 19.4 per cent year-on-year.

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