2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo Debuts With 495 Horsepower

The 2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo has made its debut today, coincidentally, when the 10th anniversary of the Patrol Nismo’s birth is also being celebrated. Yes, the sporty full-size body-on-frame SUV is now ten years old, and even today, there is still strong demand, particularly in the Middle East, for a sporty version of the famed Patrol.

Of course, the main highlight here is what’s under the Patrol Nismo’s hood. Still using the same VR35DDTT twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, it has now been massaged to produce 495 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque–70 horses more than before, though torque remains the same. This is mated to a nine-speed automatic, which has likewise been recalibrated by Nismo themselves. Each engine is meticulously inspected manually, including a valve clearance check and adjustment, to ensure that it is indeed producing those advertised power figures.

The market for a full-size body-on-frame SUV that sacrifices off-road capability for on-road track performance is admittedly small, but for those who find the idea of taking a large SUV on track appealing, though, you’ll be happy to know that the 2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo comes with a host of chassis upgrades. This includes a new electric power steering for better feel and response, along with recalibrated stability and traction control. Nismo has also tuned the electronic dampers, which automatically adjust their damping levels in real-time, whether it senses you’re driving the vehicle enthusiastically for less body roll, or a more supple ride when driven normally. Adaptive air suspension is available as an option, too.

Also contributing to its performance is its sportier looks. The large mesh grille is visually connected to the lower air channels, in which these vents cool the brakes and increase airflow to the radiator. There’s also a front splitter that also integrates the foglights, while the side profile features 22-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels that offer 23 percent less weight versus a similar-sized wheel in the Patrol’s catalog.

As for the interior, those similar red sporty touches are also applied, such as in the dashboard, seats, and steering wheel. There are also carbon fiber trims across the cabin, while topping it all off are Nismo logos on the headrests and other parts of the interior. Features like the Klipsch sound system make their way here, along with the two 14.3-inch screens that make up the Monolith Display, and the Active Sound Enhancement that pipes in noises from the Nismo exhaust system.

For now, the 2026 Nissan Patrol Nismo is a purely Middle Eastern affair. However, considering that Nissan Philippines said that we are the second largest market for the Patrol in the world, there is a chance it might be offered in the future. Admittedly, those chances may be slim, since even back then, you could only get the Patrol Nismo through gray market importers.