Review - Toyota LandCruiser 300 vs Nissan Patrol

The only problem is that with similar list prices, features, practicality and off-road abilities, it’s difficult to tell which is the better option on paper.

In the name of keeping things simple, we’re going to take a look at both entry-level variants of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Nissan Patrol, while you can check out our in-depth reviews here at OnlineAuto to find out more about the premium variants.

How Much Do They Cost?

The entry-level LandCruiser 300 GX is priced at $89,990, while stepping up to the GXL comes with a $101,790 price tag. The LandCruiser XV is priced at $113,990, while the Sahara is priced at $131,190. Opting for the GR Sport brings the bring to $137,790, while the flagship Sahara ZX is priced at $138,790.

The Nissan Patrol lineup is far more simple, with just two variants on offer.

The base Nissan Patrol Ti is priced at $82,160 while the flagship Patrol Ti-L is priced at $95,115.

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Toyota Landcruiser - LC300 GX (4x4) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Toyota Landcruiser car page.

Nissan Patrol - Ti (4x4) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Nissan Patrol car page.

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Toyota LandCruiser 300 GX Features

The Toyota LandCruiser GX comes riding on 17-inch alloys, and receives a set of LED head & tail lights, keyless entry & start, LED daytime running lamps, dual-zone climate control, a reversing camera, one-piece tailgate, centre locking differential, adaptive cruise control, cloth upholstery, adjustable 4x4 system and a 9.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto paired with a six-speaker sound system.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Colours

The LandCruiser 300 range is available in colours including Glacier White, Merlot, Graphite, Silver Pearl, Dusty Bronze, Saturn Blue, Ebony and Eclipse Black.

Nissan Patrol Ti Features

The Nissan Patrol Ti comes riding on 18-inch alloys, and receives LED headlights & fog lights, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, an eight-seat interior with leather upholstery, rear locking differential, 4x4 system with low-range function, adaptive dampers, and an 8.0-inch infotainment system and six-speaker sound system, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Nissan Patrol Colours

The Patrol range is available in Black Obsidian, Hermosa Blue, Moonstone White, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic and Champagne Quartz.

How do They Drive?

The LandCruiser 300 comes powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 227kW of power and 700Nm of torque, while the Patrol’s 5.6-litre V8 produces 298kW of power but less torque at 560Nm.

The Toyota puts the power to all four wheels via a ten-speed automatic, while the Patrol receives a seven-speed auto, both of which remain smooth around town and provide a heap of power to get up and moving.

On roads around town, the Toyota LandCruiser feels surprisingly refined and user-friendly thanks to its lightweight steering, offers faster gear shifts and feels slightly more stable as you pick up speed than the Patrol.

The Toyota’s superior torque figure also translates to a more effortless towing experience while saving you fuel in the process.

Having said that, though, the Nissan Patrol is exceptionally comfortable on the road, with its meaty V8 engine offering a heap of power to get you up to speed, while the adaptive suspension package eats up bumps on the road and is a nice touch for the base model.

The transmission might not have the same urgency as the LandCruiser, but the difference is so narrow that you won’t notice it in everyday driving situations.

Overall as a daily driver, both the LandCruiser and Patrol off-road-ready platforms lend themselves perfectly to the task of commuting and highway driving that remain impressively user-friendly for drivers that might be intimidated by their size.

Which is Better for Off-Road Driving and Towing?

In terms of off-road and towing abilities, the LandCruiser offers 235mm of ground clearance, which is bettered by the Patrol’s 273mm, while braked towing capacity stands at 3,500kg for both.

This translates to a superior approach angle for the Patrol of 34.4 degrees, while the LandCruiser is rated up to 32 degrees, with both receiving low-range 4x4 systems. The LandCruiser receives a centre differential lock while the Patrol makes do with a limited-slip differential for the rear and a set of adaptive dampers that are reserved for higher-spec LandCruiser variants.

On the road, the LandCruiser and Patrol are extremely hard to separate, with both offering a fantastic mix of smooth town driving and effortless highway cruising, as well as seriously tough pulling power.

When the going gets really tough, the LandCruiser narrowly pulls ahead thanks to more sophisticated hardware and the added torque bonus, but you’ll have to be pushing that platform extremely hard to even find the Patrol’s limits.

Which is More Practical and Spacious?

If family-friendly space, practicality and comfort are top priorities for you, you’ll be glad to know that both the LandCruiser and the Patrol very much have you covered, with one important thing to note.

The base LandCruiser GX is offered solely as a five-seater, while the Patrol Ti is offered with seating for up to eight passengers. If you’re looking for three rows of seats, you’ll need to upgrade to the LandCruiser GXL’s seven-seat configuration.

In the front of the cabin, both offer acres of headroom and space to stretch out and find your perfect driving position, with a heap of storage options for families accumulating loose items and little to separate the two when it comes to driver comfort.

There’s a handful of storage trays, a large folding centre arm rest with storage inside, massive door bins and a set of cupholders in both the Patrol and LandCruiser.

The Patrol is no doubt the better option when it comes to premium equipment additions for the price, thanks to the leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and more adjustment in the driver’s seat.

While it comes better equipped in base form, there is a noticeable difference in the interior design, which in the case of the Patrol, is beginning to show signs of its ageing platform, while the LandCruiser is relatively basic, albeit with a modern touch.

Step into the rear of the cabin, though, and the Patrol redeems itself with slightly more legroom on offer for rear passengers, although the space on offer in the back of the LandCruiser is impressive in itself.

Both feature a pair of inbuilt ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts for easy mounting of child seats, while rear passengers gain their own set of air vents.

Only the Patrol offers three rows of seating in base form, with a seven-seat configuration reserved for the higher-spec LandCruiser 300. Third-row room is cramped but obviously designed for children in mind, who will be fine in the back.

In terms of boot space, the Patrol offers 467L with three-rows standing, which grows to 1,413L in five-seat form, which is significantly more than the 1,131L on offer in the LandCruiser GX’s boot, making the Patrol by far the practicality pick of the punch.

Which Has the Better Safety Stats?

The Toyota LandCruiser has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 89% for adult protection, 88% for child protection, 81% for pedestrian protection and 77% for safety assist technologies.

As standard, the LandCruiser 300 GX comes with a relatively small safety equipment list, with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warnings headlining the entry-level variant.

Comparatively, the Nissan Patrol receives a heap more safety equipment, but it lacks an official ANCAP safety rating.

As standard, the Patrol Ti comes fitted with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera with parking sensors and lane-departure warnings.

Which Is More Fuel Efficient?

The Toyota is by far the more fuel-efficient option for buyers looking to cut costs on fuel, with an official combined cycle figure of 8.9 per 100km.

Compared to the Nissan Patrol Ti’s 14.4L per 100km figure, the Nissan’s large capacity V8 simply can’t keep up with the fuel-efficient twin-turbo V6, making the LandCruiser the obvious pick for fuel economy sticklers.

The Verdict: Toyota LandCruiser vs Nissan Patrol

When it comes to an overall assessment of the two, the Toyota LandCruiser remains king of the segment in terms of overall driving ability, while the Nissan Patrol offers buyers a very similar driving experience with more features for less money and more space in the cabin, with a bigger boot.

Objectively, the Toyota is a more refined overall package with a more sophisticated engine, drivetrain and off-road equipment, which helps to justify the price premium you’re paying over the Patrol.

Having said that, though, the majority of Australian buyers will be more than happy with the Nissan Patrol, while benefiting from some premium features and added safety equipment that the base model LandCruiser misses out on.

While the LandCruiser still reigns supreme, we’d encourage you to add the Nissan Patrol to your shortlist of large, comfortable and capable 4x4 off-roaders. On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925.

Toyota LandCruiser & Nissan Patrol Competition