Long a favorite in Australia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, the Nissan Patrol spent decades earning a reputation for durability and off-road dominance…one that often outpaces even the mighty Toyota Land Cruiser.

The origins: Y60 Nissan Patrol vs. 80 Series Toyota Land Cruiser

The Y60 Nissan Patrol launched in 1987 and ran until 1997. This was Nissan’s first coil-sprung Patrol, so it made a big leap forward in both comfort and articulation compared to the leaf-sprung generations before it.

Under the hood, the Y60 came with a range of engines: inline-sixes, both petrol and diesel, and even a few turbo-diesels like the TD42T, a 4.2-liter inline-six that’s now a legend among overlanders. 

It used a solid front axle, three-link suspension, and simple but stout manual transmissions. It wasn’t fancy, but it worked.

Think of it as a blue-collar bruiser compared to the more polished 80 Series Land Cruiser. Back then, the Toyota came with full-time 4WD and more luxuries. Still, it didn’t always match the Patrol’s raw mechanical simplicity in remote conditions.

The Y61: Australia’s favorite 4×4 and the “One to Watch”

The Y61 Nissan Patrol, introduced in 1997, is the crown jewel for enthusiasts. It ran in some markets until 2016, and even longer in the Middle East. And here’s the kicker: they’re just now becoming legal to import under the 25-year rule.

The Y61 is boxy, rugged, and refreshingly analog. It retained a solid front axle, something the Land Cruiser abandoned after the 80 Series. That means better articulation and durability for serious off-roading. The widely respected 4.2-liter TD42 diesel continued in early models, while later versions offered the 3.0-liter ZD30 turbo-diesel and even a 4.8-liter inline-six gas engine in high-spec Middle Eastern versions.

Compared to the U.S.-market 100 Series Land Cruiser, which went to independent front suspension in 1998, the Y61 Nissan Patrol offered a more truck-like setup that diehard off-roaders still prize. It also came with front and rear factory lockers in some trims, something not guaranteed in the Land Cruiser.

These rigs are particularly beloved in Australia, where they’ve built a fanbase that rivals Toyota’s. They’re used by remote-area tour guides, bush mechanics, and dune junkies alike. That tells you something.

Why you haven’t seen the Y61 Nissan Patrol in the Costco parking lot

Nissan never sold the Patrol new in the U.S., which is why you’ll never spot a one-owner Y61 in your average suburban parking lot. But specialty importers have started bringing them in as they cross the 25-year mark. Early Y61s are rare stateside but increasingly popular among collectors and off-roaders who want something different and highly capable.

Be warned, though: because the Y61 was never crash-tested for U.S. roads, and parts can be tricky to source, these are best suited as weekend warriors or trail rigs, not daily commuters.

Newer Patrols: Same name, different Game

Nissan replaced the Y61 with the Y62 in 2010, which is still being sold in some markets today. But this modern Patrol is a very different animal. It rides on independent suspension all around and is much more luxury-focused, with features like hydraulic body motion control and a 5.6-liter V8.

While the Y62 is sold as the Infiniti QX80 in the U.S., its off-road credibility doesn’t quite stack up to the older solid-axle Patrols or even Toyota’s 200 Series Land Cruiser. It’s more Range Rover or Lexus GX rival than trail boss.

If you’re after a used SUV that can go toe-to-toe (or tire-to-tire) with a Land Cruiser on the trail, the Nissan Patrol deserves serious consideration. Especially the Y61. It’s tough, simple, and built for conditions most SUVs will never see.

You can find plenty of imported Nissan Patrol iterations for under $20,000. It may take some patience, a private sale or lucky winning bid, and a little elbow grease to get one into your driveway. But once you do, you’ll have something not even your Land Cruiser buddy has: a global legend that can outcrawl, outlast, and out-cool just about anything else in its price range.