The Nissan Patrol is Back In America, Sort Of

Though well known to the world outside the United States, Nissan’s Patrol model name is completely unheard of to most regular car buyers here in the Land of the SUV. Not that the Patrol was never sold stateside; for a mere seven years (1962-1969) Nissan sold its body-on-frame SUV in the United States through Datsun dealers. And now the name is coming back, with the 2027 Nissan Armada Patrol PRO-4X.

So, it was the Datsun Patrol back in 1962, then? Nope, the Patrol was sold as a Nissan, and in quite a few configurations. Short wheelbase and long, soft-top and hard-top, with station wagon bodies and “van” bodies – wherein “van” means a higher roof and the option of blanked-out rear windows.

That first USA-sold Patrol was not Nissan’s first, however; it was the second-gen. Below is the 1951 first-gen that never arrived on America’s shores:

As Nissan explains, the 60-Series Patrol that arrived in 1962 “had a robust ladder-style frame with leaf-spring suspension, and it featured a 4.0-liter inline-six engine, a three-speed manual transmission and selectable four-wheel drive.”

To extol the virtues of the Japanese truck to American buyers, Nissan went full America with “The King of the Cowboys,” Roy Rodgers. No stranger to celebrity endorsement gigs, Roy once hawked a hat with a gun in it for kids (cap-firing, of course).

Looking very XJ-like in red below, the third-gen Patrol has its own pop-culture connection, this time with a singing boy-toy instead of a singing cowboy. With help from a Jeep CJ-7, a Nissan Patrol transports George Michael, the other guy in Wham!, and their cohorts to a ski lodge while George laments giving his heart away last Christmas in “Last Christmas.”

You may as well tear the band-aid off now, you’re going to hear this one once or twice through December 25th:

Via press release, Nissan proudly touts the Patrol’s achievements through the years since it departed the US market:

While the Patrol was no longer sold in the U.S. after 1969, it remained a popular choice in other markets, particularly the Middle East, where it has become known for its ability to conquer towering sand dunes. In fact, the current Patrol has a special “scavenger” oil pump designed to enhance lubrication in driving conditions with high g-forces. The system was first used in GT‑R to maintain high power in tight corners. It was implemented in the new Patrol to help it climb steep dunes.

…

Patrol made history as the first vehicle to climb Japan’s Mount Fuji, tackling a grueling 8,200-foot ascent. In 1962, it was also the first motorized vehicle to cross the treacherous Simpson Desert in Australia, charting a path through more than 1,100 sand dunes.

In 2003, Nissan launched the Armada with a 305 HP V8 on the Titan platform. For its second generation in 2017, Nissan put the Armada onto the global Patrol platform, bringing the truck back to the United States in spirit if not in name.

The current Armada is also Patrol-platformed, and according to Brent Hagan, senior manager of Product and Services Planning at Nissan North America, one can say the Armada goes much farther than being “based on” the Patrol. “While Armada launched as a distinct nameplate in the U.S., the two vehicles have evolved together over time and today are fundamentally the same vehicle.”

The Patrol has remained a formidable machine, as our pal Zoe attested with “The Nissan Patrol Warrior Has Me Wondering Why Anyone Wants A Land Cruiser.”

And now the Patrol name is back in the USA as a trim of the Armada, with the 2027 Nissan Armada Patrol PRO-4X. It’s a handsome machine, and “stands out from other SUVs at the trailhead with fender flares, 20-inch painted PRO-4X wheels and numerous Lava Red accents,” says Nissan.

Here’s the teaser video, if you’re so inclined:

As the off-roadiest Armada, the Patrol will arrive well loaded with upgrades for dirt and trail duty. That includes adaptive electronic air suspension; an electronic locking rear differential; an underbody skid plate (metal, even) “to protect important powertrain components while off-road.” Nissan also touts “many high-end features” including a panoramic moonroof, heated seats (second-row, too) and biometric cooling, wherein an infrared sensor in the headliner detects when a passenger is hot and “near-instantly” adjusts the temperature and airflow settings accordingly.

Nissan also promises rock sliders and a roof rack from Nismo, as well as BFGoodrich rubber on Nismo Axis wheels “for those seeking even more capability.”

As for the interior Patrol treatment, there’s some Patrol branding going on but it’s still the 2027 Armada on the inside. Not a bad thing, it’s nice in there.

Once again, Nissan’s Brent Hagan: “I’m tremendously excited about the Patrol name returning to the U.S.,” continuing, “Patrol played an important role in establishing Nissan’s early legacy here. On a personal level, I’ve owned a 1969 Patrol since 2014, so helping reintroduce the Patrol name to a new generation of customers is especially meaningful.”

Gee whiz Brent, you didn’t have to flex on us so hard. As for those of you hoping to flex a 2027 Armada Patrol PRO-4X, you shouldn’t have to wait long, as production is expected to begin this month.

Top graphic images: Nissan