Experiencing the Nissan Patrol From the Back Seat

I love to drive. On long out-of-town trips, I’m almost always the one behind the wheel. But sometimes, I have to admit that it feels good to be a passenger. There’s quite a bit of load off your shoulder when you’re just chilling in the back seat, watching the world outside go by.

It’s doubly satisfying when you’re in a vehicle that puts the comfort of the passenger in mind.

That’s exactly how I felt during Nissan’s recent GoAnywhere drive featuring the Nissan Patrol. The latest iteration of the Japanese carmaker’s flagship SUV was introduced in 2010, and the latest model with a few tweaks first arrived in the Philippines early last year. But this was the first time the local Nissan office first thought of putting the spotlight on the Patrol and letting members of the media see and experience exactly what it’s made of via a drive event.

Except for a brief stretch of road somewhere in Nasugbu and before Tagaytay and during the off-road course inside Tagaytay Highlands when I was behind the wheel, I was a passenger for most of the three-day drive event. And I didn’t mind one bit. Whether I was riding shotgun or relaxing in the middle row, the Nissan Patrol clearly puts a premium on passenger comfort.

The leather seats were caramel-colored (or ebony black, as in some of the other units) and buttery soft. There’s ample space, as you would expect from a gigantic vehicle, so whether I put my leg up, waved my arms around or even lie almost completely horizontally in the middle seats didn’t much matter. I could already imagine how much more bearable EDSA traffic would be if I were ensconced in the Patrol.

The front seats are extra roomy, with eight-way adjustable push-button controls, as well as automatic heating and cooling (though I was unable to try either). There’s also an eight-inch touchscreen and a 360-degree camera and sunroof, all of which come standard.

With features such as Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist, the Patrol proved capable of conquering the man-made off-road course, which instructors designed and built inside Tagaytay Highlands. But the drive down to Taal was equally impressive. Despite the twists and hairpin turns, I never felt dizzy or nauseated, which is fairly common for many passengers.

Nissan arranged a special sailing lesson for participants at the Taal Yacht Club. The lead instructor said it usually took more than a single lesson before potential sailors could operate a catamaran, but Nissan officials apparently built us up. We were sent off with only one instructor and ourselves to rely on.

The experience itself was fun and exactly in line with the sort of lifestyle championed by Nissan for the Patrol: the vehicle is the type you can drive out of town for weekend pursuits such as sailing, golf, off-roading and most anything else you can think of. And with a base price of P3.88 million, it’s much more cost-efficient than many of the other models in its class.

With more and more people choosing the heft and practicality of an SUV, the Nissan Patrol just reminded everyone that it’s as viable an option as any other full-sized off-roaders. And that goes whether you like to drive or prefer to chill in the back seat as a passenger.