Adventure

Nissan’s decades old rivalry with the Toyota LandCruiser has been reignited and has hit DEFCON 1.The new Y63 Nissan Patrol will arrive in Australia at the start of 2027 after a two-and-a-half-year wait since its reveal.Now the Japanese brand has confirmed prices and confirmed its beefed-up six-tier Patrol range.Customers can now put down a deposit for a specific grade with their local dealer. Nissan hasn’t set a deposit amount as it will be up to the specific dealer, but expect something in the range of $500-$1000.The big news? Nissan’s Patrol is cheaper, more powerful and better equipped than the equivalent Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.The Ti grade kicks things off at $98,990 (before on-road costs), which is $2450 more expensive than the base Y62 Patrol grade. It is also $350 cheaper than the base LandCruiser GX. Full pricing table below.The Patrol continues to undercut the equivalent LandCruiser throughout its line-up, with the new-to-Australia off-road-focused Pro-4X grade severely cheaper than the LandCruiser GR Sport.The only other carry-over grade from the Y62 range is the Ti-L, which is about $14,000 more expensive than before but is complemented by the cheaper new Ti+ grade.It’s old news now, but the outgoing Patrol’s V8 petrol engine is no more. In its place is a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine that makes 317kW and 700Nm. This is matched to a nine-speed auto, and a full time 4WD set-up that has low and high gears.The Patrol has an electronic locking rear differential and eight different drive modes.All grades also have some hi-tech off-roading features such as an invisible bonnet view, which gives drivers an idea of what is beneath them as they cross rough terrain.Nissan also promotes a scavenger oil pump, which helps keep lubrication on steep or off-camber climbs.Nissan has confirmed towing capacity is 3700kg, and trailer blind spot warning is fitted standard across the range. Higher grades build on the towing prowess with trailer docking support and electric brake controller.Payload, fuel use and details won’t be known until closer to the vehicle’s launch date.The addition of the Pro-4X grade also puts into doubt the potential for a locally tuned Warrior version.The Pro-4X is the brand’s new off-road hero with adaptive air suspension and auto damper control that reads the road ahead and adjusts suspension accordingly.It has all-terrain tyres, unique front bumper, trailer docking support and electric trailer brake controller.There is no locally tuned Patrol Warrior grade for now, with the brand stating it is actively investigating a Warrior, but it wouldn’t commit to the rugged 4WD.One of Nissan’s biggest selling points over the LandCruiser is its service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, compared to six months or 10,000km. Nissan charges $499 per visit for the first five scheduled workshop appointments, which costs about $2000 less than the LandCruiser over the first five years.Nissan also backs its cars with a 10 year/300,000km conditional warranty, which requires owners to service their vehicle at a Nissan dealership or it reverts to a five year/unlimited km guarantee.All grades come with dual 12.3-inch displays, one for the multimedia the other for the driver’s instruments, Google built-in, which includes Google Maps, and Gemini AI assistant that can control certain car functions.The base Ti grade has:18-inch alloy wheels 360-degree cameraThree-zone climate controlSynthetic leather seats and leather Synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheelStepping up to the Ti+ gets you:Panoramic sunroofPrivacy glassPower tailgateRoof railsRain-sensing wipersDigital rear-view mirrorTi-L buyers can expect all that and more, including:14.3-inch dual screens12-speaker Klipsch stereoHead-up displayIntelligent Dynamic Damping (e-Damper) suspension, which continuously adjusts suspension to driving and road conditions20-inch alloy wheelsRotating view 360-degree cameraTi-L+ grade adds:Leather and synthetic leather seat upholsteryHeated and ventilated front seatsMassage driver’s seatHeated steering wheelCentre console cool boxBiometric Cooling with in-built pollen and particulate filterMulti-colour ambient interior illuminationPro-4X builds on the Ti-L grade with:Adaptive Air Suspension with Intelligent Dynamic Damping (e-Damper)20-inch black-painted alloy wheelsAll-terrain tyresPRO-4X unique off-road front bumper fasciaCentre console cool boxHeated and ventilated front row seatsHeated steering wheelTrailer docking supportElectric trailer brake controllerBiometric Cooling with in-built pollen and particulate filterRange-topping Ti-L Reserve boasts the Ti-L+’s kit and:Adaptive Air Suspension with Intelligent Dynamic Damping (e-Damper)22-inch step-machined alloy wheelsTrailer docking supportElectric trailer brake controllerDual 12.8-inch second-row entertainment screensDriver and front passenger massage seats

Buyers will get their first official look at the much-anticipated Pajero 4WD next week. Mitsubishi has confirmed it will reveal the Pajero on the 2nd of September 2026. It comes after Japanese magazine BestCar exposed the reveal date late last month via a dealer source.Mitsubishi is expected to release more details about the Pajero at the reveal, including potentially initial pricing for the car.  The returning Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser competitor is scheduled to arrive in Australia later this year. Next week’s announcement will give buyers more information about what to expect. The Pajero will be primarily based on Mitsubishi’s Triton ute, riding on a sturdy ladder frame chassis.It is thought to also employ a 2.4-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Triton.This could be matched with a six-speed automatic transmission and will be supported by a rugged 'S-AWC' four-wheel drive system. The off-road ready S-AWC system also found on the Outlander PHEV includes four-wheel braking and torque vectoring.The Pajero will be offered in the same four trim levels as the Triton, which are the GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR. Mitsubishi has further revealed a digital revision of its iconic triple analogue instrument meters found on previous generations of the Pajero.CarsGuide spied the Pajero undergoing testing in December last year, with the prototype showing off a blocky exterior and horizontal front grille design. Mitsubishi has not locked in an official launch date for the Pajero in Australia, but next week’s reveal will provide more clues. The new Pajero was approved for sale in Australia earlier this year, and is expected to arrive Down Under by November. Buyers can expect firm launch information in the next few weeks. 

Nissan continues to refine its business and product strategy with the under-pressure Japanese carmaker set to reorganise 80 per cent of its global nameplates into three broad families.As reported by Automotive News, the brand’s new ‘Family-Planning’ structure will see the introduction of five new body-on-frame models in two years to be introduced at ‘China Speed’.Nissan remains in the midst of a major global financial crisis, recording massive consecutive annual losses, including a A$7.0 billion net loss for the fiscal year ending March 2025 and a A$4.7 billion net loss for the year ending March 2026. Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa launched the revised product approach as part of the company’s goal to cut its global product portfolio by 20 per cent to 45 models from 56 currently and slash development lead times from 50 to 30 months.The three product family groupings are mid-size (think X-Trail), compact family (think Qashqai/Note) and body-on-frame, the latter initially focused on reintroduction of the Xterra SUV in the US market from 2028, with it and “four sibling spinoffs” to be produced at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant by the end of the decade.Speaking at the company’s Yokohama headquarters on Friday, Nissan Deputy General Manager Product Business Division Hidemi Sasaki said the new direction will reduce vehicle development time by 40 per cent, enable a 20 per cent reduction in the number of different parts used and commonise 70 per cent of components.“China players are following different rules; they are changing the game. That’s why we are trying to do this transformation.“By revising the business scheme, we can reduce investment and efficiently engineer cars in a shorter period of time while catering to all the needs in the market,” he said.Nissan is aiming to optimise shared platforms, powertrains, software systems and components by planning an entire family at the same time. The US-made models will lead off with the five-seat Xterra SUV, followed by a three-row Nissan SUV, the Navara-sized Frontier pick-up, as well as two- and three-row Infiniti SUVs. Sasaki-san’s presentation included a teaser image of the upcoming Xterra with what Automotive News described as “a rugged stance, flared fenders, angled C-pillar, indented hood and semi-solid front fascia with the Nissan name spelled out in capital letters.”He said the frame family will share about 70 per cent of components forward of the B-pillar and underneath, including the platform, V6 and V6 parallel hybrid powertrains, software, electrical system, navigation and driver-assist systems.Vehicles will then be given specific rear ‘top hats’ to differentiate them as pick-ups, three-row SUVs or premium Infiniti vehicles, the latter receiving their own interiors and exterior styling.While recognising Nissan already develops multiple vehicles around common, modular platforms, Sasaki said, “The timing is what is different. In the first stage, we will plan multiple models at the same time.“In the traditional way, we tried to do this, but the business planning was not as fast,” he said.Performance models including the Z or a future GT-R, as well as light commercial vans fall outside the scope of the family structure for now.

The Subaru Outback holds a special place in the hearts of adventurers everywhere. It’s long been regarded by its fans as a genuine mix of decent on-road manners, family-friendly practicality and sound off-road capability. Just right for light-duty off-roading.Now, Subaru claims, it has made the Outback even better and a new off-road-focussed variant called the all-wheel-drive Wilderness now sits near the top of the line-up.The Wilderness is equipped with a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed 'boxer' engine, 240mm of ground clearance, improved approach/departure angles and electronically controlled dampers.But is this new Outback all it’s cracked up to be? Read on.

The Kia Tasman had big dreams in Australia, including spawning a proper ute-based 4WD SUV to do battle with the Ford Everest. Slow sales have stalled that plan, but could the ute's upcoming facelift reignite the plan?Let's hope so, because these new unofficial renders show how cool the Tasman could look if it cops the full SUV treatment. Officially, Kia says the SUV plan is on hold as it pours focus into making the Tasman a success in Australia and abroad. Slower-than-expected sales here have forced Korea back to the drawing board in an effort to drum up interest."We've been quite vocal, and we always have been with this car in particular," Kia has previously told CarsGuide. "We're very vocal with our superiors, and up front. We're definitely being very deliberate in what we think might be hampering its sales performance."If we want to be a third of the total production volume, they've got to be receptive. But it's not necessarily going to happen at the speed at which you might feel the market might be thinking."Because a major redesign; it's not simple. And when you've already invested in tooling for sheet metal and tooling for plastics, it's a multi-million-dollar process."It's that redesign that has paused the Tasman's SUV project, with a new ute required for a new SUV. Spencer Cho, Kia’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Business Planning Subdivision, has told CarsGuide that, while "there might be options", it wasn't on the priority list."Well, there might be options, but at this point, we are trying to focus on what we can and what we can do better, and of course, we can give much more choices to the customers,” he said.“At this time, as you know, we have the ICE line-up, and we also have close to the full EV line-up as well."For now, then, the Tasman SUV is a pipe dream.

BYD’s Ti7 hybrid 4WD has been given a serious update in China. BYD has released a new long-range variant of the Ti7 in China that provides some further enhancements to the new SUV. The Ti7 is a plug-in hybrid large SUV from BYD’s adventure-focused sub-brand FangChengBao and it could be on the cards for Australia. BYD sells the more rugged B5 and B8 FangChengBao models under its Denza sub-brand in Australia. The Ti7 doesn't use a ladder frame chassis like the B5 or B8, but uses a car-based monocoque frame instead.The Ti7 recently launched in the United Kingdom — a fellow right-hand drive — badged the BYD Ti7. The long-range Ti7 is equipped with a 50kWh battery offering up to 315km of pure electric driving range, according to generous CLTC standards. This is a step up from the 36kWh unit that only offered up to 200km. The UK version of the Ti7 has a quoted range of 119km as per more reliable WLTP evaluation, so expect the long-range to have a real-world EV range of under 300km. It is available in two variants, both powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid set-up.The single electric motor produces 200kW, while the all-wheel drive dual-motor layout boosts power to 360kW.This differs from the standard Ti7 that has three electric motors, with a total output of 300kW. The car can also now DC fast charge at up to 158kW, meaning a 30 to 80 per cent fill-up takes less than 14 minutes. It measures in at 4999mm long, 1995mm wide, 1865mm high, with a wheelbase 2920mm, but overseas examples are likely to be bigger in line with the standard Ti7. The long-range Ti7 has much of the same interior specification as the standard car, including a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 26.0-inch head-up display. BYD Australia told CarsGuide earlier this year the Ti7 is not on its radar, but there is strong speculation it will arrive soon. The car is already available in right-hand drive in the UK, which is often a strong indicator it will launch Down Under, similar to many other BYD models. BYD Australia has also trademarked the Ti7 name locally, which is no guarantee it will come here as brands often protect their names so others can't use them.The Ti7 is available with fully-electric or PHEV power in China, but there is potential for both options to launch in Australia.It is unclear whether the Ti7 will fall under BYD or luxury sub-brand Denza when it gets here.The FangChengBao Bao 5 is on sale as the Denza B5 in Australia.China pricing starts from 195,800 (or about $41,500), rising up to 225,800 yuan (or $48,000), but expect it to be above the $50,000 mark when it arrives locally. 

GWM Australia has released pricing and detailed specifications for new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel powered versions of its Cannon Alpha dual cab ute and three-row Tank 500 SUV.And the Chinese brand is clearly determined to upset the established order amongst competitors for both models with aggressive price positioning and a value-focused list of included features accompanying their enhanced powertrain performance.Close to two years ago the petrol-electric BYD Shark 6 offered an instantly popular hybrid ute alternative and Chery’s soon-to-arrive Stockman will offer diesel-electric hybrid power.But while those newcomers have been thinking outside the box, GWM has stayed squarely within it, launching its all-new 170kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine as a shot across the bows of the market-leading Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.In a launch statement, GWM said, “The message is simple: Australians still want diesel power, and GWM is giving them more of what they want, for less.“Both models will be priced thousands of dollars below comparable competitors, delivering a level of performance, specification and value designed to challenge the established market leaders,” it said.And it’s worth noting GWM is running with an introductory offer of a $2000 drive-away cash bonus or $2000 fuel card on these models until October 30, 2026.GWM is keen to highlight local development work to optimise the new engine’s performance, led by the brand’s Lead Product Dynamics and Integration Manager, Rob Trubiani.In fact, GWM said Australian and Chinese engineering teams have put the vehicles through “an extensive development program focused on optimising performance, refinement and durability for Australian drivers, including ride and handling, engine and transmission calibration, towing performance and software.”The 3.0-litre four produces 26 per cent more power (+35kW) and 29 per cent more torque (+140Nm) than the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel in supersedes. But despite the higher outputs, GWM is claiming combined cycle fuel efficiency of 7.3L/100km for the Cannon Alpha (substantially lower than the 2.4L’s 8.9L/100km) and 7.1L/100km for the Tank 500.Braked trailer towing capacity is 3500kg for both models (up from 3000kg for the Tank 500)  Confirming the pricing and spec details, GWM Australia Chief Operating Officer John Kett said, “When you look at the Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 against the established volume players in their respective segments, the difference is clear. “We’re offering a higher level of standard specification, more performance and more technology, while asking customers to pay thousands of dollars less.“That is a proposition we believe Australian customers will find very compelling,” he said.Coffee OS (intelligent cockpit system)14.6-inch central touchscreen (up from 12.3-inch)12.3-inch colour digital instrument clusterWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoGWM App (vehicle status and selected functions controlled via smartphone)Full ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) suite18-inch alloy wheelsSide stepsRoof railsAuto LED headlights with DRL + electric levellingLED tail-lightsFront grille – chromePower fold exterior mirrorsKeyless entryRear privacy glassOne piece tailgateSpray on tub linerFull-size spare (steel)Synthetic leather trimPower front seatsDual-zone climate controlSix-speaker audioAdaptive cruise controlSeven airbagsBlack styling treatmentFront diff lockPanoramic sunroofFull-size alloy spare60/40 split tailgateNappa leather accented trimHeated and cooled front seats (with massage)Head-up display10-speaker audioFront and rear diff locksLow-range transfer caseAll-terrain mode selection18-inch alloy wheelsElectric sunroofSynthetic leather trimPower front seatsDual-zone climate controlAmbient lighting (seven-colour)Eight-speaker audioBlack styling treatmentNappa leather accented trimHeated and cooled front seats (with massage)Head-up displayAmbient lighting (64-colour)Heated steering wheel12-speaker audioActive noise cancellingPre-orders for the GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 3.0-litre turbo-diesel models are open now with cars scheduled to arrive in dealerships from mid-September.

Land Rover’s Defender Dakar is a road-legal version of its hardcore 2026 Dakar Rally racing Defender Octa complete with a “flight mode” to ensure perfect landings after doing jumps.In another case of completely-unnecessary-but-we-want-it-desperately-anyway, Land Rover is bringing us a road-going  - or anywhere-going - version of its Dakar Rally D7X-R racing SUV.The Defender Octa is an already bonkers high-performance off-road beast with its 4.4-litre V8 engine (the same found in BMW’s M5) making 367kW and 750Nm, outstanding four-wheel drive capability combined with mind boggling on-road dynamics, but the Defender Dakar goes more berserk.“We’ve pushed our engineers to go further than they’ve ever gone before,” Defender Managing Director Mark Cameron said. “First, we evolved Defender OCTA into D7X‑R and then we asked: could we make the Dakar Rally‑winning D7X‑R road legal? The result is the Defender Dakar.”The Defender Dakar keeps the same V8 engine, transmission and body architecture as the D7X-R and adds a 35-inch all-terrain tyre package with unique 20-inch forged wheels.The ride height is lifted with coil suspension and Bilstein advanced dampers and the track is widened. There’s new modes for sand dunes and gravel, plus there’s flight mode.Flight mode is a sophisticated system that detects the moment the Defender Dakar becomes airborne over hilly terrain. Then, instead of letting the wheels spin freely in mid-air, which will send an enormous amount of shock force through the transmission upon landing, the torque to the wheels is calculated and controlled to ensure a smooth touchdown.     Holding the driver and co-pilot snugly in place are race seats with an optional four point harness. The Defender Dakar is a 2+2 seater with storage for race helmets and a purpose-built spare wheel mount inside the cargo area along with air-compressor. The Defender Dakar comes with the same Dakar Sand and Yanbu Turquoise colour scheme as worn by the D7X-R, with a range of other hues to pick from.Adding to the tough looks is a fixed metal roof with light pods, carbon fibre raised air intakes,  flared wheel arches with exposed rivets, along with metal front under shield and underbody protection.The Defender Dakar made its international debut at the Monterey week in the United States over the weekend with full specifications to be announced at the 2027 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia.Land Rover Australia has confirmed to CarsGuide the Defender Dakar will be landing locally and said the price and the number of units being made available will be announced in January 2027.  As a guide, the Defender Octa Black lists ofr $313,800 or about $10,000 more than the regular Octa. Buyers can expect the Defender Dakar to sit above the Octa Black in the range when the model arrives in Australia.

Mahindra has globally revealed its latest ute ahead of a launch in its domestic market in April 2027.Dubbed the Mahindra Lifestyler for export markets, the name is a departure from Pik-Up that had been used on the previous-generation model that dates back to 2006. It will be called the Scorpio Lifestyler in India.This new dual-cab ute is aimed at export markets, including not only Australia and New Zealand, but also South Africa, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.It will go up against top-selling rivals the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara, among others.At this stage Mahindra hasn’t confirmed Australian launch timing of the Lifestyler, but it’s expected that export market launches will follow after the Indian launch in April 2027.Mahindra hasn’t provided many details about the Lifestyler just yet, however it’s confirmed to have a new-generation body-on-frame architecture. It’s understood this is shared with the current Scorpio SUV.It’s unclear what will be under the bonnet just yet, but given componentry is expected to be shared with the Scorpio, a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, six-speed automatic and part-time four-wheel drive is likely.In other markets the Scorpio is also offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, but it’s unclear whether these will be offered in the Lifestyler.At its reveal the Indian carmaker chose to show off the Lifestyler in three different versions, including the Valley Edition, Reef Edition and Trail Edition. All show different ways this ute can be set-up with functional or aesthetic accessories.Mahindra hasn’t revealed any photographs of the Lifestyler’s interior yet, it published some computer-generated imagery that gives us a clear indication of what to expect.The centrepiece of the cabin is a new vertically oriented touchscreen multimedia system with a bank of physical buttons for the climate control underneath. It’s very reminiscent of the current Ford Ranger.Other interior notes include a digital instrument cluster, a squared-off steering wheel with prominent buttons, scroll wheels and switches, as well as an electric park brake and large drive mode dial.At this stage Mahindra Automotive Australia hasn’t confirmed specific launch timing for the new Lifestyler yet.It will launch in India in April 2027 with a starting price under 1.98 million Indian Rupee (~A$29,300). This makes it 610,000 Indian Rupee (~A$9000) higher than the entry-level Scorpio in the domestic market.Australian pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, however it’s expected to be more expensive than the Indian-specification model and will likely come with more equipment as standard. The most affordable Scorpio is currently $43,990 drive-away in Australia.The international launches of the Mahindra Lifestyler are expected to be staggered after the Indian launch, however Australia has been identified as a key export market for the ute.

Over six generations since 1961, the Nissan Patrol has been a thorn in Toyota’s side.While the latter’s mighty marketing machine constantly reminds us that the LandCruiser has been part of Australia since 1958, the Patrol has also been around long enough to have people reaching for the clichés.Yep, the Nissan is also ‘part of the furniture’, ‘woven in the cultural fabric’ or simply ‘one of us’.In the lead up to the Y63 model that's finally due in the first quarter of next year, we take a look at how and why, for nearly two-thirds of a century, the Patrol has mattered more than Toyota would care to admit.Some 64 years ago next month, in September 1962, a Datsun G60 Patrol became the first motor vehicle to cross the Simpson Desert, according to Nissan. There was even a Marg on board. Though not with an e. D'oh!It drove a family of four, headed by geologist Reg Sprigg and wife Griselda, on a 12-day trek right in the heart of Australia.Among other obstacles, Nissan states they encountered 1100 sand dunes, in what must have been an excruciatingly dull “I spy…” to wile the hours away for the kids bouncing about in the back seat.The other child was named Doug. Which might have been appropriate given their average speed was just 5km/h during the ordeal. This stuff almost writes itself!But don’t worry, Toyota fans. In the latter stages of its construction, the Snowy Mountains Hydro scheme called upon the earliest LandCruisers imported to Australia, thus also forging an early bond with this country.But a Patrol was first to conquer a formidable desert.Sadly, for lovers of old technology, the current Y62 has reached the end of the line – quite literally, since the production line in Japan will switch to its Y63 replacement this month.For the record, the outgoing Patrol was unveiled all the way back in 2010, and has been on sale in Australia since early 2013, with a facelift coming later that decade.Fun fact! The current model did not receive factory fitted Apple CarPlay until May, 2025!Happily, for lovers of old tech, there’s always the Toyota 70 Series LandCruiser, which is technically way older than the Nissan since that first appeared in Australia in 1985.But, unlike the 78 Series utes and 79 Series Troop Carrier, the 76 Series five-door passenger wagon only arrived in 2007 and has been subjected to “pauses” due to high demand, model changeovers and other production constraints that Toyota deemed necessary, while the Patrol has hung around like a Simpson Desert bush fly.So, the old Datto gets the guernsey.Nowadays, and for good reason, it’s Chinese vehicles that have the reputation for copying others’ designs.But some of the earlier Japanese models were masters of plagiarism, allegedly, and the original Patrol was no exception.This was a Jeep knock-off, pure and simple, launched in the home market in September, 1951. The similarities were obvious, down to the boxy design, squared-off wheel arches, and multi-bar grille flanked by a couple of circular headlights.Perhaps Nissan needed to one-up Toyota, since the Willys Jeep-sanctioned Toyota Jeep “BJ” was displayed in January of that year as a prototype, as a precursor to the LandCruiser.But that didn’t enter production until 1953, so Nissan beats Toyota again.And, since arriving in 1960, over one-quarter of a million Patrols have been sold in Australia alone - though that's against over 1.15 million LandCruisers, so we know who's having the last laugh here.To suggest that the fourth-generation, Y60 (GQ series) Patrol stormed the market in 1987 would not be an overstatement.With its handsome design, chunky yet elegant proportions, coil-sprung suspension and car-like interior at a time when most 4WDs were workhorse basic, it scared the hell out of Toyota and made Australia Nissan’s second-biggest Patrol market globally over its 10-year run.What the GQ achieved should not be underestimated, since it transcended segments with its civility, flexibility, quality and capabilities. And purists still can’t shut up about the indestructable TD42 engine.This is why the SUV revolution actually started right here, years before the original Suzuki Vitara and the Toyota RAV4 it inspired swept across the world.Along with the Y61 GU from 1997 that succeeded GQ, we're talking peak Patrol here.If you think today's popular Everest that is based upon the Ranger ute is Ford’s first body-on-frame 4WD wagon sold in Australia, you’re way off.Earlier in the 1980s there was the F100-derived Bronco two-door wagon (that was actually assembled locally), but that paled compared to the Maverick, which was a GQ Patrol in all but badge.A by-product of the Federal Government’s Button Plan designed to rationalise excess Australian car production, the Maverick filled a gap in Ford’s line-up left by Bronco, and it worked.In fact, the Blue Oval Patrol was considered more of a success than some of the other badge-engineered model-sharing twins of the era, like the Holden Commodore-based Toyota Lexcen and the disastrous Nissan Pintara-derived Ford Corsair.This would have endlessly miffed Toyota, giving it another reason to despise the Patrol.For now, at least, there will be no affordable full-sized body-on-frame 4WD wagon available new in Australia with V8 power once the Y63 Patrol finally lands .That’s probably no bad thing given the excessive thirst of the peachy 5.6-litre V8 that is central to the Y62's appeal. Especially to oil companies. Even the trip computer struggled to keep the average fuel consumption under 20.0L/100km during our last outing with several last year.But there are buyers out there that would demand nothing less than the orchestral bellow of eight cylinders, especially in the superior Warrior version and its trick side exhaust.Much to Toyota’s chagrin, it’s also likely the Patrol probably snared some LandCruiser buyers once the V6-based 300 Series arrived in 2021.