In the UAE, few SUVs carry as much prestige, capability, and heritage as the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan Patrol. Both dominate desert roads, luxury neighborhoods, and family drives alike. But which one is the better choice in 2025? Let’s compare the Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Nissan Patrol across performance, comfort, off-roading, running costs, and more, so you can decide which SUV truly rules UAE roads.
1. Price & Value
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The Land Cruiser 2025 (latest model LC300) is priced between AED 239,900 and AED 399,900 depending on trim (EXR, GXR, VXR, GR-Sport).
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The Nissan Patrol 2025 ranges from AED 239,000 up to AED 389,000 for regular trims, with the NISMO version reaching around AED 449,900.
So, in terms of sticker price, both are closely matched in base and mid trims. Patrol may offer more luxury-oriented features for slightly less in certain trims, while Land Cruiser pushes ahead in high trims, especially with premium off-road tech and newer hybrid/diesel options.
2. Performance & Fuel Efficiency
Engine and Power:
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Land Cruiser 2025 offers a 3.5 L twin-turbo V6 petrol (≈ 409 hp, 650 Nm) plus a 4.0L V6 petrol (≈ 271 hp) depending on variant.
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Nissan Patrol gives you a strong 5.6 L V8 petrol engine (≈ 400 hp) or tuned variants like NISMO producing ≈ 495 hp. There are also V6 versions in some markets.
Fuel Consumption:
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The Land Cruiser (especially the twin-turbo V6 or diesel) is more efficient. Combined fuel consumption estimates are better. For example, one source gives ~10.5 L/100km for Land Cruiser vs ~14.4-15.0 L/100km for the Patrol V8.
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The Patrol sacrifices some efficiency for brute power. If highway cruising and fuel economy are priorities, Land Cruiser has the edge.
3. Off-Road Capability & Terrain Handling
If you're planning desert dunes, unpaved tracks, or rugged terrain, both SUVs are strong contenders, but there are differences:
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Ground Clearance & Angles:
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Patrol tends to have higher ground clearance, better approach and departure angles, making it slightly more off-road capable in raw capability terms.
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The Land Cruiser, however, includes advanced off-road tech like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, adaptive systems and locking differentials, making it more user-friendly in tricky situations.
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Drive Modes & Traction Tech:
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Land Cruiser’s terrain and crawl controls give extra confidence in sand, rocks or slippery conditions.
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Patrol offers solid capability, especially in its higher trims, but may require more brute force rather than finesse.
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4. Comfort, Interior & Features
For many buyers, the SUV is as much about luxury and comfort as power:
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Cabin Luxury:
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Patrol often offers more plush or visually luxurious interiors, especially in top trims (e.g. premium leather, Bose audio, ventilated seats, etc.).
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Land Cruiser balances rugged durability with comfort: premium materials, functional design, many safety and driver assist features. Its tech tends to be more “built-for-use” rather than flashy.
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Space & Practicality:
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Nissan Patrol often wins in cabin width, boot space (especially with third row folded), and room for passengers.
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Land Cruiser, meanwhile, is known for reliability of its build, durability of components, and having strong resale value.
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5. Running Costs & Reliability
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Maintenance & Running Costs:
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Land Cruiser tends to cost a bit less in some long-term ownership metrics (fuel, maintenance, wear and tear) especially for hybrid/diesel variants.
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Patrol, particularly V8 petrol trims, tends to consume more fuel and may have higher service or parts costs.
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Resale Value:
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Land Cruiser has always had strong resale value in the UAE. Its reputation for durability, off-road capability, and Toyota brand reliability helps.
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Patrol has decent resale too, especially in popular trims, but may lose value faster in trims with lots of electronics or high fuel-consumption models.
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6. Which One Suits Which Type of Driver?
Here are some suggestions based on typical UAE driving needs:
If You Prioritize… | Go for Toyota Land Cruiser | Go for Nissan Patrol |
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Fuel efficiency, lower running cost, hybrid/diesel option | ✅ | ❌ |
Off-road capability + control over rough terrain | ✅ (tech + control) | ✅ (raw clearance) |
Luxury, plush interior, highway comfort | ❌ (still good) | ✅ |
Resale value & reliability records | ✅ | ✅ but slightly behind |
Big feature-packed trim for less cost | ❌ (premium pricing) | ✅ |
Final Verdict
So, in the debate of Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Nissan Patrol, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both are excellent SUVs, but they shine in different ways.
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Choose Land Cruiser if you want long-term reliability, better fuel economy (especially in non-V8 variants), strong resale value, and off-road tech that gives you confidence without needing to be an expert.
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Choose Patrol if your priority is more luxurious comfort, raw power (especially V8 or high hp trims), interior spaciousness, and doing highway or dune runs with style.
For many UAE buyers, the deciding factor often comes down to how you use the SUV: city daily driver vs weekend desert warrior vs family long journeys. If you tell me your priorities (fuel cost, comfort, power, off-road, resale, etc.), I can help you decide which is *better for you.