2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior review

In the wake of Aussie local car manufacturing shuttering, the partnership between local engineering outfit Premcar and Nissan is a modern-day success story.

Shortly after upgrading its 10,000th vehicle in May 2024, Premcar and Nissan are back with the model year 2024 update to the Nissan Patrol Warrior, which introduces a long-awaited feature for this off-road hero.

On the grand scale of model year updates, this is a relatively minor one, but Nissan saw fit to invite Drive to Mount Disappointment in Victoria to see what’s new with the 2024 Warrior line-up.

You can’t pick it on the outside because there are no external or mechanical changes to the Nissan Patrol Warrior. What has changed is on the inside, and the changes made address arguably one of the biggest shortfalls of the pre-update Nissan Patrol.

But that’s no bad thing, because we have been fundamentally impressed by not only the Nissan Patrol itself, but we’ve found the tweaks Premcar has made to the model make it so much more appealing to an Australian audience.

The changes I want to discuss revolve around the model’s infotainment system – it’s now updated to a 10.1-inch unit in place of the old 8.0-inch display.

It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a high-definition reversing camera, satellite navigation, and digital radio. One cool aspect is the fact the car comes with Hema 4x4 mapping, though it only includes a stingy one month’s subscription. Customers have to pay their own way afterwards.

In any case, it’s a significant update for the 14-year-old model. But it arrives just before an all-new replacement, expected to be unveiled within the next 12 months. Additionally, it still costs $104,160 plus on-roads, $3000 up compared to its predecessor.

That said, it’s still affordable when compared to the much newer Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport (over $150,000 drive-away).

Externally, there are no changes to the gruff design – but I’d argue that’s no bad thing.

The Patrol Warrior is characterised by additions such as an eye-catching red bash plate, black fender flares, a set of new 18-inch wheels running Yokohama Geolandar all-terrain tyres, and Warrior decals. Then comes the side-exit exhaust, which we’ll get to in a moment.

It certainly looks the part, but there’s so much going on under the skin too…

The changes Premcar has made to the Warrior include – but are not limited to – specially developed front and rear springs with a 50mm total lift in ride height, enhanced approach and departure angles, a re-engineered version of Nissan’s hydraulic body motion control system, two off-road recovery points, a 48kg increase in payload, and unique interior trim.

Inside the cabin, Premcar has removed all the old woodgrain and replaced it with nice Alcantara accents. Even for that simple change alone, it helps the interior feel far more modern than it is.

Otherwise, there are Warrior-branded bits and pieces, plus piano black trim elements surrounding the centre console.

The only changes for 2024 inside the interior – aside from the infotainment – extend to a new centre console cooler box, a wireless phone charger, and a digital rear-view mirror.

However, arguably the coolest enduring modification Premcar has made was to install the bi-modal exhaust system. It activates based on throttle position, engine speed, and vehicle speed, but once its parameters are satisfied it sounds absolutely incredible and really lets the Patrol’s 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 rumble.

These changes take Premcar roughly 24 hours to turn around – particularly impressive given the factory’s modest physical footprint. As well, Premcar continues to use suppliers it used in a former life (manufacturing Ford Performance Vehicles), so it’s a good news story that local jobs are still being supported by independent outfits like Premcar.

Inside, the cabin look and feel are far nicer than the regular Patrol, which is frankly beyond its time.

But the real change is with the infotainment unit. It’s true that it might not appear as the most integrated solution – particularly when countries in the Middle East get a nice, Nissan-developed unit – but the functionality and technology under the skin are far better.

It’s quick to respond to touch inputs, I used the in-built navigation which works great, and the camera system is super helpful when off-road manoeuvring.

Even off the beaten track, to have Hema 4x4 maps integrated within the unit is handy. Our off-road jaunt was easily tracked using the specialised software.

The thing I don’t like about it largely relates around the infotainment unit’s positioning. It’s too low to easily view when you’re driving – and it feels like a haphazard slap-on solution to a problem that’s plagued the Patrol for a long time.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s an improvement over the old Nissan Patrol’s infotainment, but it feels like a half-step forward where a proper update was required.

Otherwise, this cabin is hugely spacious in the big seats – which are couch-like in comfort – and everything feels well built. There’s minimal support around corners, especially considering the wallowing suspension at faster speeds, but the Patrol is built for touring, which it excels at.

There’s enough storage throughout the front row, from the large lidded centre console bin to the dual cupholders, and then the large glovebox too.

Of course, there’s the boot too. The claimed boot capacity to the third-row seat backs is 467 litres.

For the drive component, Nissan had us driving the Patrol Warrior through the outskirts of Melbourne towards Mount Disappointment and its sprawling set of off-road trails.

The not-subtle exhaust note is the first distinction between a regular Patrol and the Patrol Warrior. It sounds gruff, grumpy, and is noticeably loud even at city speeds. If it’s extra exhaust character you want, the Patrol Warrior’s the right way to go about it.

The exhaust is forced open whenever the car’s in its manual-shifting mode, and you can even hear pops and crackles from the side-exit exhaust as you play up and down the rev counter.

It’s not exactly matched by swift forward momentum, despite the stonking-great 5.6-litre V8 under the bonnet, due to the Patrol Warrior’s 2884kg kerb weight. This looks and feels like a big car to drive.

There’s a lofty driving position that leaves the driver towering over other vehicles on the road, and while it’s good for visibility, the lumbering high-riding sensation isn’t enjoyable when zipping around town.

It’s far more comfortable on the open road as the absorbent springs and shocks roll with the punches of road imperfections and potholes. The slow steering is easier to use on touring stretches of tarmac, rather than the tight turns of inner suburbia, and the soft nature of the car’s body control is appreciated on the highway.

Though Premcar has been careful not to tread on the Patrol’s on-road prowess in making its upgrades, it’s fair that the Patrol was never really a beacon of on-road drivability.

It’s far happier trundling through gravel and dirt, like a pig in the mud.

We’ve spent a substantial amount of time driving the Nissan Patrol off-road (and captured on video) earlier this year, but this reintroduction of the MY24 Patrol proves again what an accomplished off-roader the model is.

Its sheer size might be tricky to tame on tighter tracks, but there’s no doubt the 50mm in raised ride height helps the car wade into large puddles and find traction where some rivals would struggle.

There’s flexible articulation over mounds to keep tread on tracks, and the low-range gearing works a treat to keep forward momentum steady even in troublesome mud and ruts. As well, the clearance around not only the front and rear bumper, but the side sills as well, is huge.

There’s an innate sense of stability to the Patrol Warrior that makes it a willing partner to go further for longer.

It might lean more heavily towards touring and off-road use, but the Nissan Patrol Warrior excels in these areas.

So is this modestly updated Nissan Patrol better than the one before it? In one way yes – its technology is finally matched to 2024 standards, but the integration leaves something to be desired.

I feel like you could have a 2023 model and not be too upset about this update.

We've accrued plenty of wheel time in the Patrol Warrior before: be it the initial launch down in Tasmania, my colleague Sam Purcell's extensive off-road drive earlier this year, or Glenn's towing feature. Read those reviews if you're keen for more Nissan Patrol Warrior.

But in any case, the ability offered by this 2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior remains hugely impressive – especially at its price point.