MELBOURNE, Australia – The legendary Nissan Patrol is one of Australia's most awarded automotive nameplates and has a trophy cabinet overflowing with silverware.
As the iconic off-roader celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2021, over the years it has conquered Australia's toughest motorsport events as well as its harshest critics, scoring an unbeaten record of 15 consecutive Australian Off-Road Championships, four outright Australasian Safari Rally victories and won more than 25 prestigious motoring accolades from a broad spectrum of the country's most respected media outlets.
As such, the Nissan Patrol is one of the most awarded vehicles on-sale in Australia today and remains the benchmark of its class, most recently winning the Best Large SUV category in the 2021 Drive Car of the Year awards.
"The Patrol is an automotive legend that has always been at the forefront of its segment, by breaking new ground in comfort and convenience while improving its rugged off-road capabilities and durability with every generation," said Adam Paterson, the Managing Director of Nissan Australia.
"And, as we celebrate the off-roader's landmark 70th anniversary in 2021, it is fantastic to look back at the collection of achievements and accolades that have recognised and rewarded the Patrol as being the best in its class.
"That it is winning awards today proves that the evolution of Patrol through the five generations sold in Australia since 1961, it has continued to meet the demands of its passionate and loyal customer base while attracting new off-road enthusiasts and adventurous families."
In the Australian Off-Road Championship, the Patrol was unbeatable throughout the 1980s and 1990s with Griffith rice farmer 'Legend' Les Siviour winning the 4WD Production class a record 14 times in factory-backed Nissan Patrol models. Siviour also won the outright Australian Off-Road Championship title in 1987 driving a Nissan Patrol.
The Patrol has been the first car to cross the finish line in the grueling Australasian Safari Rally no less than four times; winning in 1992, 1993, 1995 and 2003.
Beyond the chequered flag dictating its merits, the Patrol scored its first major industry award in 1987 when it won both the 4x4 Australia and Overlander Magazine 4WD of the Year titles with the arrival of the popular GQ Patrol, which was critically acclaimed for offering groundbreaking levels of on-road comfort and improved off-road abilities thanks to its class-leading all coil-spring suspension set-up.
Since then, the Nissan Patrol has scored no less than 13 individual awards from Australia's best-selling, specialist four-wheel drive publication, 4x4 Australia, including three additional outright 4x4 of the Year victories in 1997, 2001 and 2002.
The Patrol has also won a significant number of awards from Australian 4WD Monthly, including the 2003 4WD of the Year, and was declared the Best 4WD by EFTM.com.au in 2014.
Most recently, Drive.com.au determined the latest-generation Y62 Patrol is the Best Large SUV in its 2021 Drive Car of the Year awards, claiming it was a 'no-brainer' against its most direct competitor.
"The 5.6-litre V8 is particularly charming: smooth and muscular and able to lope along at a low-rev burble in almost any situation. Peg the throttle and a muted V8 pushes the Patrol on with surprising pace. Off-road, cruising or towing, the Patrol's engine is a stress-free peach," wrote Drive.com.au's 4WD specialist, Sam Purcell.
This year the Nissan Patrol celebrates its 70th anniversary, making it one of the longest-running continuous automotive nameplates.
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Contacts
Karla Leach
Director – Corporate Communications
Nissan Motor Co. Australia
Email: karla_leach@nissan.com.au
Mobile: 0429 334 832
Emily Fadeyev
Senior Manager – Corporate Communications
Nissan Motor Co. Australia
Email: emily_fadeyev@nissan.com.au
Mobile: 0407 820 192
