Nissan has lifted the covers off its facelifted 2020 Patrol in the Middle East, which sports a fresh new look, revised interior, and added safety tech.

Currently Australia’s second-best-selling Upper Large SUV behind the perennial favourite Toyota LandCruiser, the updated Patrol won’t be gaining a new drivetrain, with the same 5.6-litre petrol V8 making 298kW/560Nm mated to a seven-speed automatic and ‘All-Mode’ four-wheel drive remaining the sole drivetrain option for Australia, no doubt much to the chagrin of diesel fans.

With the Middle East and USA being the target markets for the Patrol – and Infiniti QX80 that shares a platform with it – it’s perhaps unsurprising that there’s no diesel engine offered in it anywhere in the world – a V6 petrol that we won’t be getting is the only other alternative. On an opinionated note, however, the V8 petrol is a bit of a gem so I’m happy for it to stay, although its fuel efficiency will be the main thing some will see as detrimental to it.

Visually, the Patrol’s front and rear styling has been totally overhauled, with the front now sporting C-shaped DRLs and V-motion grille to deliver a more angular look, while the rear looks closer to that of the current QX80 with a wide chrome strip above the number plate and sequential LED indicators.

On the inside, the Patrol sees some even bigger changes, with an Infiniti-style dual touchscreen infotainment system that now sports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Improved interior materials and finishes also feature, including quilted leather seats in the range-topper. It should be quieter inside as well, given Nissan is claiming significantly reduced NVH levels.

Perhaps the most crucial addition to the Patrol’s spec sheet, however, is the addition of Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection to the Patrol’s list of active safety technology.

This MY20 update represent’s the Patrol’s most significant in the six years since it launched locally, with the most recent round of revisions to the model done in 2017.

Currently, the updated Patrol is set to go on sale within the coming month in the Middle East, while an Australian launch is scheduled for the closing end of 2019.

Australian pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed, including whether or not all grades will receive these new safety features. Expect the pricing not to differ too much from the 2019 Ti’s $72,880 and Ti-L’s $89,880 listed price tags.

Patrick Jackson
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