2026 Nissan Patrol Y63 Review: 400 hp V8 That Never Gets Old
Oliver Bennett·2 May 2026·12 min read
Nissan's Patrol Y63 gets a significant update for 2026. The legendary 5.6L V8 returns with 400 hp, paired to a new 9-speed auto. We drive it everywhere.
Verdict
Pros: - 400 hp V8 is sensational - Best-in-class third-row space - Excellent value for the size
Cons: - Fuel consumption is punishing - Interior materials behind European rivals - Body roll in corners is pronounced
Price range: AED 329,000 – 449,000 Best for: Large families, V8 enthusiasts, off-road beginners Not for: Fuel-conscious buyers or city-only drivers
Introduction
Every automotive journalist in the UAE has a Patrol story. Mine started seven years ago when a Y62 pulled me out of a sand trap 80 km into the Empty Quarter. The Patrol has that kind of loyalty-earning quality — it saves your day and never asks for acknowledgement.
The 2026 Y63 is the most significant update since the Y62 arrived in 2010. Nissan has refreshed the exterior, entirely redesigned the interior, added 17 new driver assistance features and upgraded the V8 to 400 hp via revised intake and exhaust calibration. The 9-speed automatic replacing the old 7-speed is the most welcome mechanical change.
I drove 1,500 km across the Dubai–Hatta highway, the Ras Al Khaimah mountain roads and a full-day dune session at Al Badayer.
Key Specs
| Spec | LE | Platinum | Platinum NISMO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.6L V8 | 5.6L V8 | 5.6L V8 (tuned) |
| Power | 400 hp | 400 hp | 430 hp |
| Torque | 560 Nm | 560 Nm | 600 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 6.5 sec | 6.5 sec | 6.0 sec |
| Fuel (L/100 km) | 16.8 | 16.8 | 17.4 |
| Price (AED) | 329,000 | 369,000 | 449,000 |
Design & Styling
The 2026 refresh sharpens what was a slightly dated face. New Matrix LED headlights integrate better with the wider chrome grille. The hood power dome is new — purely visual but authentically muscular. Nineteen-inch alloys on Platinum trim fill the arches properly.
Inside the Y63, the redesign is dramatic. Gone is the dated beige wood-trim dashboard of the Y62; in its place is a 12.3-inch infotainment screen flanked by a floating dual-pane layout with stitched leather everywhere. It finally looks like a AED 370,000 car.
Interior Quality & Practicality
The Patrol's defining advantage over any rival is the third row. With 930 mm of legroom, an adult sits here in genuine comfort — not the hunched apology of a Land Cruiser third row. For UAE families regularly carrying household staff, visiting relatives or children's sports teams, this matters enormously.
Second-row captain's chairs on Platinum trim recline to 40 degrees. The panoramic sunroof extends over all three rows. This is a genuine 8-seat vehicle, not a 5+2.
Practicality
The revised centre console adds 40% more storage volume. Two wireless charging pads (second row gets one too) and USB-C ports throughout are welcome additions.
Boot space with all seats in use: 236 litres. With third row folded: 680 litres. With both rows folded: 1,720 litres — remarkable for a body-on-frame SUV.
Infotainment & Technology
The new 12.3-inch Nissan Connect system is a vast improvement over its predecessor. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wireless. Navigation voice control responds correctly the first time in Arabic and English — useful for UAE residents who switch between languages.
The 2026 Y63 adds Nissan's ProPilot 2.0 — a semi-autonomous driving system that handles lane centring and speed management on UAE motorways. After 200 km of E11 testing, I can confirm it works well at 120 km/h but requires regular steering input to remain active at higher speeds.
Driving Experience
The V8
I need to talk about the V8. In an era where every manufacturer is shrinking engines and adding turbos, Nissan's continued commitment to the naturally aspirated 5.6-litre unit is almost countercultural. The noise — that bass-heavy intake howl at full throttle — is why people buy this car. At 6,000 rpm it sounds magnificent.
The 9-speed transmission is markedly better than the old 7-speed. Gear changes are faster and the new calibration keeps the engine in its powerband better on hilly terrain. The downshift response on the Hatta mountain road was sharp enough that I stopped manually selecting gears.
On the Road
Highway manners have improved with the suspension re-tune. The Y63 rides the E311 expansion joints more composedly than before. Body roll in corners is still noticeable — this is a 2,780 kg body-on-frame SUV, not a sports car — but it has reduced. The steering is light and accurate enough for city driving.
I averaged 17.2 L/100 km over my 1,500 km test. Motorway-only driving improves this to around 14.5. City-only driving makes it worse: 19–21 L/100 km in Dubai stop-start traffic is not uncommon.
In the Dunes
The Patrol's 4WD system — selectable 4Hi and 4Lo with rear diff lock — is intuitive and effective. The tyres choice matters more than the electronics: on stock tyres, the Patrol handles all but the steepest technical dune terrain. Its weight builds momentum going up faces, which works for you in the dunes.
What it lacks versus the Land Cruiser is the electronic safety net — there is no Crawl Control equivalent. Experienced dune drivers consider this a plus. Novices will find the Land Cruiser more forgiving.
Which Trim Should You Buy?
LE (AED 329,000): Misses the big sunroof, captain's chairs and ProPilot. The saving over Platinum is AED 40,000 — reasonable only if you rarely carry more than 5 people.
Platinum (AED 369,000): The definitive Patrol. Every feature, the right size alloys, captain's chairs. This is the one.
Platinum NISMO (AED 449,000): Thirty extra horsepower and a body kit. The NISMO engine tune and tuned suspension are genuinely different to drive. But AED 80,000 over a Platinum for cosmetics is difficult to justify unless you specifically want the NISMO badge.
Running Costs
At 20,000 km/year and 17 L/100 km: approximately AED 10,268/year on fuel alone. That is AED 855/month at AED 3.02/litre. Budget accordingly.
Annual service: AED 1,600–2,200. Insurance at Group 24: AED 7,000–9,000/year. Predicted 5-year resale: 60% of purchase price.
Rivals
Toyota Land Cruiser GXR (AED 345,000): Better off-road electronics, better resale, less powerful. The choice between them is the choice between precision and passion.
[Lexus LX](/ae/cars/lexus-lx-2026) 600 (AED 395,000): More luxurious interior than both. Shares the Land Cruiser platform.
[Chevrolet Tahoe](/ae/cars/chevrolet-tahoe-2026) (AED 249,000): Saves AED 120,000 but lacks genuine off-road capability.
Our Verdict
The 2026 Patrol Y63 is the most improved car in this segment. The interior redesign closes much of the quality gap with European rivals, the new 9-speed transmission makes the V8 better to live with, and the third-row space remains class-leading.
If you have a large family, want the most storage in any UAE SUV, and love the sound of a naturally aspirated V8, the Patrol Platinum is the car. It costs less than a Land Cruiser, goes just as far off-road, and is more fun at every legal speed limit.
Recommended: Patrol Platinum, Magnetic Red, with no options — it comes fully equipped.
