Patrol
Launched in 1951, the Nissan Patrol was Nissan’s first four-wheel-drive vehicle and has become one of Japan’s longest-running off-road nameplates. Its career began with the 4W60, a rugged vehicle intended for civilian, professional, and military use. Across subsequent decades, the Patrol gained a broader range of body styles, more sophisticated suspension systems, and an increasingly family-oriented and luxurious character, while retaining serious all-terrain capability. Market names vary: it was known as the Safari in Japan for much of its history, while European markets used Patrol or Patrol GR and other regions adopted local designations. ScanRacer’s library covers Patrol variants from 1951 through 2024, including Base, Pickup-Chassis Cab, and SUV configurations.
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Variants by year
Make: Nissan · Model: Patrol
14 / 14 versions shown
2024
2019
2014
2010
2004
1997
1987
1980
1960
1951
Nissan Patrol photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Launched in 1951, the Nissan Patrol was Nissan’s first four-wheel-drive vehicle and has become one of Japan’s longest-running off-road nameplates. Its career began with the 4W60, a rugged vehicle intended for civilian, professional, and military use. Across subsequent decades, the Patrol gained a broader range of body styles, more sophisticated suspension systems, and an increasingly family-oriented and luxurious character, while retaining serious all-terrain capability. Market names vary: it was known as the Safari in Japan for much of its history, while European markets used Patrol or Patrol GR and other regions adopted local designations. ScanRacer’s library covers Patrol variants from 1951 through 2024, including Base, Pickup-Chassis Cab, and SUV configurations.
History
The first Patrol appeared in 1951 under the 4W60 code. Nissan positioned it as a four-wheel-drive vehicle combining mechanical simplicity, off-road ability, and practical versatility. The second generation, represented by the 60 Series, was produced from 1960 to 1980. Nissan’s Heritage Collection describes it as retaining a separate frame and rigid leaf-sprung axles, while offering several wheelbases and body styles, including soft-top, hardtop, van, station wagon, and special-purpose versions. The series was also adapted for service applications such as fire vehicles. The 160 Series replaced the 60 Series in several markets from 1980, and Nissan began producing the Patrol in Spain in the early 1980s. The Y60, introduced in 1987 and sold as the Safari in Japan, brought a major technical change through coil-spring suspension and improved ride comfort. The Y61 followed in 1997 with a more contemporary body and broad international availability. In 2010, the Y62 moved the Patrol further toward the luxury full-size SUV class. Nissan unveiled the seventh generation in September 2024, introducing V6 powertrains, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a more technology-focused character.
Generations
Generation numbering can differ between markets and reference works, but Nissan’s own historical material provides a useful outline. The 1951 4W60 was the first Patrol. The 60 Series, produced from 1960 to 1980, stayed close to the original utility concept with a separate frame, rigid axles, leaf springs, and a wide range of body styles. The 160 Series introduced in 1980 brought a more modern appearance and expanded the range with short- and long-wheelbase bodies, family-oriented wagons, and pickup variants. Related 260 Series vehicles later extended this family in selected markets. The Y60, sold as the Safari in Japan, is identifiable by its pronounced fender flares and coil-spring suspension. Nissan describes it as the second-generation Safari in Japan but the fourth-generation Patrol in export markets. The Y61, known as the Patrol GR in several European countries, adopted a rounder body while retaining a conventional off-road layout. The Y62, launched in 2010, shifted the Patrol’s visual and equipment direction toward a more refined full-size SUV. The model unveiled in 2024 is described by Nissan as the seventh-generation Patrol, with V6 engines and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Key differences
The differences between Patrols are not merely cosmetic. The early 4W60 and 60 Series emphasized strength and mechanical simplicity, using rigid axles, leaf springs, and body styles suited to both transport and specialist work. The 160 and 260 Series retained that approach while offering more formats, including pickup, three-door, and five-door wagon configurations. The Y60 introduced a significant technical change through coil-spring suspension; Nissan’s Heritage Collection example also uses ventilated disc brakes. The Y61 remained more traditional than the Y62, combining a recognizable off-road layout with a long market life in selected regions. The Y62 placed greater emphasis on comfort, passenger space, and premium equipment, while the 2024 model moved further toward electronic technology, V6 engines, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Because engines, transmissions, trim levels, and body styles varied substantially by country, the Patrol name alone is not enough to identify a vehicle’s specification.
Photo recognition
Identifying a Patrol should begin with the body shape, proportions, and suspension layout, followed by a check of the vehicle plate or chassis number. Early 4W60 and 60 Series models have a narrow, utilitarian appearance, simple grilles, modest fender shaping, and frequent soft-top or hardtop configurations. The 160 and 260 Series look more square and may appear as three-door, five-door, van, or pickup models. The Y60 is usually recognizable by its pronounced fender flares, angular body, and larger dimensions. The Y61 keeps a rugged stance but uses rounder surfaces, more integrated lamps, and a more contemporary cabin. The Y62 is visibly larger and more luxurious, with a broad grille, high waistline, and a heavily equipped interior. The Patrol unveiled in 2024 has a much more modern lighting signature, a full-width rear light element, and a noticeably more premium presentation. Identification can be complicated by market names such as Safari, Patrol GR, Super Safari, and regional badges, so exterior details should be checked against the chassis code whenever possible.
Important versions
Key Patrol versions include the original 1951 4W60, the 60 Series produced from 1960 to 1980, and the 160 and 260 Series that broadened the model’s body styles and market reach. The Y60 is especially significant because its coil-spring suspension helped move the Patrol toward a more comfortable form of off-road travel. The Y61 remains notable for its traditional engineering and unusually long market life. The Y62 marked the shift toward a large luxury SUV, while the generation unveiled in 2024 introduced a new phase with V6 engines and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Within the ScanRacer library, Base, Pickup-Chassis Cab, and SUV categories represent part of the body-style and production-period coverage.
References
- Nissan Patrol (1972: 60) — Heritage CollectionNissan Global
- Nissan Patrol Safari Standard Roof GranroadNissan Global
- Seventh generation of Nissan’s iconic Patrol unveiled in Abu DhabiNissan Middle East
- Nissan leverages GT-R-inspired engineering to deliver thrilling performance in All-New PatrolNissan Middle East
- https://www.nissanpatrolusa.com/history/nissanpatrolusa.com
- https://www.nissan-cdn.net/content/dam/Nissan/za/brochures/PATROL.pdfnissan-cdn.net
- https://www.dubicars.com/news/dubicars-car-spotlight-nissan-patrol-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-nissan-patrol.htmldubicars.com
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Nissan Patrol produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 1951 - 2024.
- How many Nissan Patrol examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 4 published scans from 4 members, with the latest photo added in August 2026.
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