Item: Used Nissan Patrol GR 4x4 1998 - 2004
Author: What Car? Team

What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<p dir="ltr">Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.</p>


NISSAN

PATROL

<p>The Nissan Patrol is a strong, no-nonsense off-roader</p>


Used Nissan Patrol GR 4x4 1998 - 2004

<p>The Nissan Patrol may not be the cheapest 4x4, but it is an awful lot of metal for the money, and prices are on a par with the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/land-cruiser/4x4/review/n17251">Toyota Landcruiser</a>.</p>

<p>Likewise, no one can pretend that a Patrol will be cheap to run, but it's perfectly acceptable.</p>

<p>Only fuel economy is a little disappointing. Official figures say the 3.0-litre engine can get 26mpg on the combined cycle, but that compares poorly with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mitsubishi/shogun/4x4/review/n17561">Shogun</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Discovery</a>, both of which will return nearer 30mpg.</p>

<p>On the positive side, though, you shouldn't have to pay too much for unscheduled repairs. Warranty Direct says that Nissan labour rates are among the lowest, and that the average cost of repairs is comparable with other off-roaders.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


The Nissan Patrol is a strong, no-nonsense off-roader

<p>Nissan played around with the Patrol range throughout its life, but there was only ever one engine at a time. It began with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel, but a 3.0-litre model replaced it in May 2000, and that's the engine we recommend.</p>

<p>Otherwise, your most major decision is whether to choose the short-wheelbase three-door or the larger five-door. For us, given that either model is pretty huge, the five-door makes the most sense, especially as most versions have seven seats, giving it some useful extra practicality. Besides, from January 2003, the smaller model was scrapped.</p>

<p>It's also worth buying a model from after January 2002, when the suspension was revised to improve the Patrol's behaviour on-road.</p>

<p>Avoid the most basic models as they lacked air-con. Instead, go for at least SE, which became the entry-level trim after the basic models were dropped in May 2000.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

<p>We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.</p>

<p>The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.</p>

<p>A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;</p>

Large SUV

<p>The Patrol is a pretty solid workhorse, and has rightly earned a reputation as a tough and reliable car. There has only ever been one recall and that affected just over 100 cars built in 1999, and centred on the brake pedal pivot pin.</p>

<p>Warranty Direct has no figures specific to the Patrol, but its engineers tell us that reliability is basically good up to about 60,000 miles when there is a risk that the head gasket can go and the gearbox can fail. Both will take a four-figure sum to put right.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


<p>Above all, the Nissan Patrol is big: the five-door model is longer than a Range Rover. Some may find that off-putting, but it at least means you get a lot of metal for your money.</p>

<p>There's loads of room even in the three-door model, and most versions of the five-door have seven seats, with enough room for every passenger. It's one of the most spacious and practical 4x4s, and it has a certain rugged charm, even if the workmanlike interior lacks the class of, say, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>.</p>

<p>The Patrol is at its best off-road, with the ability and technical features (high- and low-ratio gears, locking centre differential and so on) to climb obstacles that most drivers wouldn't even contemplate.</p>

<p>However, things aren't so good back on terra firma. The vague steering and excessive body roll mean it's nothing like as good to drive as a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>, for instance.</p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


Used Nissan Patrol GR 4x4 1998 - 2004 review

Fill out our 2022 Reliability Survey - and win a prize!

Citroen C3 Aircross

Audi E-Tron

MG ZS EV

Cupra Formentor

Fiat 500 Electric 

Kia Niro EV

Renault Megane E-Tech

/news/complete-the-2022-what-car-reliability-survey-for-the-chance-to-win-a-prize/n15554

New car deals >>

site ribbon config

Looking for alternatives to the used Nissan Patrol 1998 - 2004? The expert What Car? review team guide you through some great options.

New car deals >>

Used Nissan Patrol GR 4x4 1998 - 2004 review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Nissan Patrol 4x4?

What Car? has a buying service

Quick search

Tools & services

Legal bits

Information