Used Nissan Patrol GR 4x4 1998 - 2004 review

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.

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 Volvo XC90.

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.

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 BMW X5, for instance.

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 Toyota Landcruiser.

Likewise, no one can pretend that a Patrol will be cheap to run, but it's perfectly acceptable.

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 Shogun and Discovery, both of which will return nearer 30mpg.

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.

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.

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.

It's also worth buying a model from after January 2002, when the suspension was revised to improve the Patrol's behaviour on-road.

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.

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