One of the most famous off-road SUVs in the world is from an automaker Americans wouldn’t expect. Introduced in 1951, the Nissan Patrol flourishes in markets from Japan to South America, conquering some of the toughest terrain the world can offer. It’s also one of the longest-running vehicle nameplates, now celebrating 75 non-stop years of off-road energy. However, the Patrol has never officially been sold in North America.
Or has it? I’ll let you in on a little secret: the 2025 Nissan Armada is a Patrol with an assumed name. Not only are they made in the same factory, but they have the same platform, core features, and more. Today, you can go to a Nissan dealer near Normal and buy a Patrol that’s simply on an overseas adventure. Here’s a look at how an iconic SUV quietly found its way stateside and what the latest edition has in store.
Why Is the Nissan Patrol So Revered?
The Patrol wasn’t the world’s first civilian SUV. That honor goes to the Jeep CJ-2A. However, for my money, it stands alongside the CJ, Jeep Wrangler, and Toyota Land Cruiser as the off-road vehicle “Mount Rushmore.” Nissan conceived the original Patrol 4W60 Series as a utility vehicle that could go anywhere, and it did. The first-generation Patrol was the first motor vehicle to successfully ascend Mount Fuji, considered one of the globe’s most challenging mountains. The second-generation 60 Series Patrol broke new ground by crossing Australia’s Simpson Desert.
Several more generations of the Nissan Patrol followed, with each successive model finding a way to be more family-friendly yet maintain its off-roading reputation. The fourth generation expanded the Patrol to a full-size SUV, and technological advancements like a coil-spring suspension made it an all-around vehicle. From the Autobahn to the Paris-Dakar Rally, and from towing the world’s heaviest aircraft to the fastest dune climb, the Nissan Patrol felt right at home.
That is, except in North America. Although many people, including Roy Rogers, admired the Patrol from afar, and the vehicle influenced other Nissan SUVs, Americans could only yearn for its prowess.
The Patrol Comes to America
As it turns out, the Patrol found its way to U.S. soil with many not even realizing it had happened. The first-generation Nissan Armada, produced from 2003 to 2015, was an SUV version of the Nissan Titan pickup truck. After a decent start in sales, popularity waned. Furthermore, with the Patrol dominating most of the world market, the Armada was only sold in left-hand-drive countries, limiting the potential return.
After 13 years of trying to make the Titan-based Armada work, Nissan decided it needed a new direction. To find it, they looked to their legendary SUV. A new version of the Armada went on sale for the 2017 model year using the Patrol as its foundation. By doing so, Nissan found it could reduce development costs while giving them a vehicle that could compete more directly with “true SUVs” in America like the Wrangler, Land Cruiser, and Chevy Tahoe. The strategy worked, and the Armada/Patrol pairing remains in place to this day.
Patrol vs Armada
For the initial run, the Nissan Armada wasn’t a pure rebadging of the Patrol. Beyond switching from right-hand to left-hand drive, there were a few fundamental differences between them. To summarize, the Patrol remained a hardcore off-road vehicle with a suspension and drivetrain that would tame any terrain. On the other hand, although there were some creature comforts, this aspect was a little behind the times compared to some other SUVs.
Conversely, the Armada was retooled to offer a better on-road experience. The suspension on the North American version was modified to make it handle more like a crossover, which came at the expense of multi-terrain capability. The Armada also had more limited engine options but received a significant tech upgrade with advanced infotainment features and driver aids.
Even so, you could see and feel the Patrol DNA seeping through the Armada. It’s still a chassis-on-frame SUV with galvanized steel body panels, true 4WD, seating for up to eight people, almost 10 inches of ground clearance, and impressive towing capabilities. As the saying goes, you can’t run from who you are, and the Patrol heritage is easy to spot once you know where to look.
How the 2025 Armada Continues the Legend
Both the Patrol and Armada received an overhaul for the 2025 model year. It’s the seventh generation for the Patrol and the third for its North American alter ego. This time, the differences are minuscule at best, making the 2025 Armada less of a true alter ego and more like a secret agent putting on a mustache and glasses. Here’s a quick overview of the 2025 Nissan Armada/Patrol and how they set this machine up for years to come.
Performance
The new Armada ditches the naturally aspirated engine that powered this vehicle family for decades in favor of a twin-turbo 3.5L V6. With this comes a serious power upgrade to 425 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed transmission has also been overhauled, and the standard independent front and rear suspension has coilover springs and stabilizer bars for everyday handling. Higher trims get an adaptive air-spring suspension plus electronic dampers that automatically adjust as you drive, whether on pavement or snow. (Try to imagine that in 1951.) All 4WD models come with a two-speed transfer case, giving you an 8,500-lb towing capacity plus the low-gearing sets for steep hills and crawling.
Off-Road vs Sophistication
Do you want the closest thing to the original Patrol’s off-road capabilities in North America? For 2025, Nissan has introduced the Armada PRO-4X 4×4. Along with the adaptive suspension, this trail-ready SUV has an electronic locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, Bilstein off-road shocks, special off-road gauges, and aluminum skid plates to get down and dirty. Conversely, if you want to emphasize the luxurious aspects of the Armada, the Platinum Reserve is dressed to impress. Bask in the elegance of heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a panoramic moonroof, and 22-inch alloy wheels. Both models have quilted leather-appointed seats and LED fog lights, showing that sometimes the two worlds go hand in hand.
Amenities and Technology
Inside the Armada, everything is full-size, with cutting-edge goodies everywhere you look. Power front seat adjustments, tri-zone climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, HD Radio, satellite radio, six to eight USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and multiple voice recognition programs are standard across the board. All trim levels above the entry-level SV also get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, Google Built-In, a 120V power outlet, and a Klipsch 12-speaker sound system. The touchscreen and digital gauge display are 12.3 or 14.3 inches, depending on the model.
The Patrol Legacy Lives
Is the 2025 Armada a pure Patrol? At this point, the Armada is about 97 percent true to its doppelganger. Overseas, the Patrol has an additional engine option, slightly different tire sizes, and a few other minor changes. The trim level names and feature combinations vary, too. Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that at this point, the 2025 Nissan Armada is a Patrol hiding in plain sight. Anyone who’s longed to drive a Nissan Patrol on American interstate highways, backroads, and trails doesn’t need to do any more longing. They just have to hop into a 2025 Nissan Armada and go.
