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4WDs: Patrol v Landcruiser
John Cadogan
27aug04

If you're in the market for a full-sized 4WD, there are really only two choices – Patrol or LandCruiser.

Combined sales of this pair account for more than 95 per cent of all sales up the deep end of the 4WD pool.
Ford's Explorer, the full-sized segment's distant third entrant, barely manages to convince 4 per of buyers to bend its way.

Which one is the best buy? In the comparison below we've pitted two popular models against each other, using 10 criteria.

The vehicles are: the Toyota LandCruiser 100 GXL 4.7-litre V8 petrol and the Nissan Patrol ST 4.8-litre six-cylinder petrol. Both vehicles were compared in manual form, but in each case there is a five-speed auto for about $2800.

PRICE

The 'Cruiser is $58,760 – $4570 dearer than the Patrol at $54,190. This doesn't compare the moving feast of standard features, of course. It is merely what you pay to play with the big boys. If you just want your bum on the seat of a large 4WD wagon, the cheapest way to get it there is the Patrol.
Verdict: Patrol.

POPULARITY

According to Vfacts, for the first six months of the year LandCruiser out-sold Patrol three-for-two. Actual sales figures were 7239 LandCruisers and 4799 Patrols.
Verdict: LandCruiser.

GRUNT

The LandCruiser sports a hi-tech 4.7-litre, quad-cam V8. The Patrol's less fancy 4.8-litre capacity is shared by six in-line cylinders. However blue-singlet the approach, the Patrol makes more mumbo: 185kW at 4800rpm and 420Nm at 3600rpm, compared with 'Cruiser's 170kW at 4800rpm and 410Nm at 3400rpm.
Verdict: Patrol.

DRIVE

LandCruiser is a full-time 4WD with a rear limited-slip diff (LSD) and a manually lockable centre diff for soft conditions. Patrol is a part-time 4WD (rear-wheel drive on hard surfaces) with automatically engaging front hubs and a rear LSD. The more sophisticated AWD driveline, and its active safety advantages in the wet and on dirt roads, is with the LandCruiser.
Verdict: LandCruiser.

GEARING

Overall gearing in low range (what you get when you multiply the first gear ratio by the low-range ratio by the diff ratio) is one indicator of off-road performance &@150; the higher the number the better. LandCruiser's is 43.6. Patrol's is 36.4.
Verdict: LandCruiser

BUMS ON SEATS

Patrol is a seven-seater. LandCruiser seats eight. However, the third rows in both cases are for children only (or adults who enjoy riding with their knees in their eyes). Fully laden with passengers, luggage room is near nonexistent.
Verdict: LandCruiser

PAYLOAD

LandCruiser can heft 915kg of passengers and load; Patrol will lug less than half that – 436kg.
Verdict: LandCruiser

CLEARANCE

Approach (front), departure (rear) and ramp (centre) angles define the terrain a 4WD can traverse without biffing the body. (Bigger numbers, in degrees, are better.) LandCruiser's are 34, 26 and 25 degrees. Patrol's are better: 37, 31 and 27. Both share the same clearance (210mm) and maximum fording depth (700mm).
Verdict: Patrol.

FEATURES

Both vehicles are highly competitive on features, but one notable exception is the fact that the Patrol has standard 16-inch alloy wheels. LandCruiser's wheels are steel in standard trim.

ABS and front passenger airbags are standard on the 'Cruiser, but are a $2000 option on Patrol. (Added to the base Patrol price, it still undercuts 'Cruiser, however.)

The Toyota also has 10 cup-holders and a six-CD stacker to the Nissan's four cup-holders and single in-dash CD.

The Patrol cargo bay door operates on a vertical split (easier access) whereas the 'Cruiser is a horizontal split (Picnic table/awning-style configuration).
Verdict: Patrol, for the wheels

WARRANTY

Both vehicles offer a three-year/100,000km warranty, which only Nissan sweetens with 24-hour roadside assist for the warranty term.
Verdict: The Patrol.

CONCLUSION

In outright terms, the result is a dead heat. So, as with most elections, preferences need to be taken into account – in this case, yours.

Do you value alloy wheels, 24-hour roadside assistance and a substantial discount on list price over six additional cup holders, a silky smooth V8 and a hi-tech drive system? If you do, your vote could well swing towards Nissan. If you need the extra seat the 'Cruiser's the only game in town.

These two are very close competitors.

The Daily Telegraph

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John aka NitroX

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