From 1962 to 1969, North American Datsun dealerships had access to the Nissan Patrol, a sturdy, dependable, utilitarian off-roader akin to the Toyota Land Cruiser. It was one of the only Nissan-badged vehicles ever to appear here until Nissan phased out the Datsun name in the 1980s, introducing unrelated Nissan products. Thereafter, the bones of contemporary Patrol SUVs returned to the U.S. under the Infiniti QX56 and QX80 from 2011, and then the Nissan Armada from 2016, but the badge that has become legendary in other parts of the world is obscure to many Americans these days. Nissan wants to change that in 2027 as the Patrol name turns 75, adding the name to the existing Armada PRO-4X full-size SUV (think along the lines of Land Cruiser and Prado in other markets: pricey, but impressive).
2027 Nissan Armada Patrol PRO-4X Gets NISMO Goodies
The PRO-4X treatment already makes the Armada a solid off-road companion, but with the Patrol name come further upgrades from NISMO, specifically rock sliders and a roof rack with an integrated light bar and side lights. Things are mostly unchanged otherwise, with the Patrol name appearing as a tailgate badge and center console etching near the armrest (the latter also has a “Since 1951” inscription further forward), and on the door sill plaques and floor mats. In the winter, 18-inch NISMO Axis wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires will also be available. That’s it, but there wasn’t much to improve since the Armada already had a metal underbody skid plate, adaptive air suspension, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing a beefy 425 horsepower and 416 lb-ft of torque, permanently delivered to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission and a locking rear differential.
|
2027 Nissan Armada Model |
MSRP (including destination @ $2,275) |
|
SL 4×2 |
$66,565 |
|
SL 4×4 |
$69,565 |
|
Platinum 4×4 |
$78,065 |
|
Patrol PRO-4X 4×4 (replaces Armada PRO-4X) |
$81,265 |
|
NISMO 4×4 |
$82,965 |
|
Platinum Reserve 4×4 |
$86,865 |
It’ll make its first public appearance at the 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show (November 20-29), and production will commence later this month. When it reaches dealers, MSRPs will start at $78,990 plus $2,275 for destination and handling. That’s still below the Armada NISMO, which is obviously a sportier vehicle, and the Platinum Reserve, which is more luxury-focused. But at a total of $81,265 before any options like those NISMO wheels and BFG tires, the Armada Patrol PRO-4X is $4,690 pricier than the $76,575 Armada PRO-4X (MY2026) it replaces.
Autoblog’s Take
The 2027 Nissan Armada’s range just got more expensive, and while a lightbar-equipped roof rack and special rock sliders are nice, there’s a very small niche of people who will feel a sense of nostalgia for the Patrol name. That’s not a judgment; it’s just the truth, and that’s also exactly why Nissan is doing this and why it’s doing it for the 2027 model year. Not only do the new name and its accessories help justify a significant markup, but in the nameplate’s 75th-anniversary year, it feels a little less cynical and allows a new generation to form a connection with the badge, something also being targeted with the Jungle Patrol concept for SEMA. With SUVs and trucks powering the brand in the U.S. this year, now may be the perfect time to capitalize without adding yet another trim level while we wait for the revived Terrano/Xterra. Perhaps someday, this could pave the way for the Patrol to become a permanent part of Nissan’s U.S. catalog, either as the Armada Patrol, as an Armada replacement, or as a separate model altogether.
