Nissan Patrol vs Nissan Qashqai

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Nissan Patrol

5.6 V8 Platinum 4x4 7AT Petrol Automatic

Swap Car A

ZAR 1,949,900 ex-showroom

⚡ 227 kW (304 hp)

🔧 700 Nm

⛽ 9.4 km/l

Nissan Qashqai

1.3 Tekna CVT Petrol Automatic

Swap Car B

ZAR 545,000 ex-showroom

⚡ 110 kW (148 hp)

🔧 270 Nm

⛽ 17 km/l

＋

Want to throw in a 3rd car?

Pick a car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Patrol

⛽ Petrol Economy Qashqai

🔑 Ownership Cost Tie

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

🏆 Winner

Patrol

/ 100

pts

Qashqai

/ 100

Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.

The Bottom Line

Both Patrol and Qashqai are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Patrol +10 pts

Efficiency Qashqai +8 pts

Safety Patrol +2 pts

Practicality Equal

Ownership Equal

Score Breakdown by Category

🏆 Overall Winner

Patrol

Performance 20/20

Efficiency 5/20

Safety 20/20

Practicality 13/20

Ownership 12/20

Qashqai

Performance 10/20

Efficiency 13/20

Safety 18/20

Practicality 13/20

Ownership 12/20

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Patrol

Strengths

More powerful engine output
Stronger safety package

Weak Spots

Lower fuel efficiency

Best suited to: Highway Driving

Qashqai

Strengths

Better fuel efficiency

Weak Spots

Less powerful engine setup
Less comprehensive safety features

Best suited to: Fuel Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Patrol

Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment

Qashqai

Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Ground Clearance	235	180
Wheelbase	2850	2665
Length	4985	4425
Width	1980	1835
Height	1910	1625
Kerb Weight	2430	1450
Gross Vehicle Weight	3300	1980
Seating Capacity	7	5
Boot Space	309	504
Towing Capacity	3500	1800
Front Track Width	1675	-
Rear Track Width	1675	-
Turning Radius	6.0	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Engine	3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 Diesel	1.3L Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Type	V6 Twin-Turbocharged DOHC	Inline 4 Turbo
Displacement	3346	1332
Cylinders	6	4
Valves per Cylinder	4	4
Power	227	110
Power @ RPM	3000-3600 rpm	-
Torque	700	270
Torque @ RPM	1600-2600 rpm	-
Fuel System	Common Rail Direct Injection	Direct Injection
Turbocharger	Twin Turbo	-
Top Speed	210	200
0-100 km/h	7.5	8.9
Compression Ratio	15.4:1	-
Engine Position	Front Longitudinal	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Transmission	10-Speed Automatic	CVT Automatic
Drive Type	4WD	4x2
Drivetrain Layout	Full-Time 4WD with Crawl Control	Front Wheel Drive
LSD Available	Torsen LSD	Electronic
Paddle Shifters	Standard	-
Transfer Case	Multi-Terrain Select	Not Applicable
Differential Lock	Centre + Rear Lock	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Claimed Mileage	9.4	17
City Mileage	7	13
Highway Mileage	10	18
Fuel Tank Capacity	110	55
Emission Standard	Euro 5	Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity	Not Available	-
Auto Start Stop	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Airbags	10	6
ABS	Standard	Yes
Electronic Stability Control	Standard with KDSS	Yes
Traction Control	Standard	Yes
Hill Descent Control	Crawl Control	No
Hill Start Assist	Standard	-
Child Safety Lock	Standard	Yes
ISOFIX Mounts	Standard	Yes
Brake Assist	Standard	Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor	Standard	Yes
Engine Immobiliser	Standard	Yes
Alarm System	Standard	-
Central Locking	Standard	-
Side Impact Beams	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Cruise Control	Standard	Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control	Standard	Yes
Lane Keep Assist	Standard	Yes
Lane Departure Warning	Standard	-
Blind Spot Monitoring	Standard	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard	Yes
Parking Sensors	Front and Rear	Front and Rear
Rear View Camera	Standard	Yes
360 Degree Camera	Standard	Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking	Standard	Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert	Standard	-
Traffic Sign Recognition	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Seat Material	Premium Leather	Leather
Seat Adjustment	Electric 12-Way	Electric Driver
Heated Seats	Front and Second Row	Front
Ventilated Seats	Front	No
Steering Type	Power Assisted	Electric
Steering Adjustment	Power Tilt and Telescopic	Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting	Multi-colour	Multi Colour
Folding Rear Seats	60/40 Split	-
Front Armrest	Standard	-
Rear Armrest	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Climate Control	Quad-Zone Automatic	Dual Zone Automatic
Power Windows	All Doors	All Auto
Keyless Entry	Smart Entry	Yes
Push Button Start	Standard	Yes
Wireless Charging	Standard	Yes
Sunroof	Standard	Panoramic
Electric Tailgate	Power	Yes
Automatic Headlamps	Standard	-
Rain Sensing Wipers	Standard	-
Auto Dimming Mirror	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Infotainment Screen	12.3-inch Premium Touchscreen	9-inch Touchscreen
Apple CarPlay	Wireless	Wireless
Android Auto	Wireless	Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity	Standard	Yes
Number of Speakers	15	10
Navigation System	Standard	Integrated
Digital Instrument Cluster	12.3-inch Full Digital	-
USB Ports	4	-
Wireless Apple CarPlay	Standard	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
LED Headlamps	Full LED Adaptive	Matrix LED
Daytime Running Lamps	LED	LED
Fog Lamps	LED	LED
Roof Rails	Standard	Silver
Alloy Wheel Design	21-inch Premium Alloy	19-inch Alloy
Chrome Exterior Finish	Not Available	-
Body Cladding	Standard	-
Rear Spoiler	Not Available	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Approach Angle	32	19
Departure Angle	24	24
Wading Depth	700	350
Terrain Modes	Mud, Sand, Rock, Dirt, Snow	Normal Sport Eco
Locking Differential	Centre and Rear	Electronic
Underbody Protection	Full Steel Plates	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Tyre Size	265/55 R20	235/45 R19
Wheel Type	Alloy	Diamond Cut Alloy
Front Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type	Ventilated Disc	Disc
Spare Wheel Type	Full Size Alloy	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone with KDSS	MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension	Lateral Rod with KDSS	Multi-Link
Chassis Type	Ladder Frame	Monocoque
Power Steering	Power Rack and Pinion	-
Steering Column	Power Tilt and Telescopic	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Service Interval	10,000 km or 6 Months	15000 km / 12 months
Approx Service Cost	Approx R12,000	Moderate
Battery Warranty	Not Applicable	2 Years
Maintenance Plan	Optional	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
Warranty Years	3	3
Warranty Kilometers	100000	90000
Roadside Assistance	3 Years	3 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty	6 Years	-

Spec	Patrol	Qashqai
CO2 Emissions	249	142
Start Stop System	Standard	Yes
Hybrid System Type	Not Applicable	None
Noise Level	68	-

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Nissan Patrol wins with 70 pts vs 66 pts for Qashqai

In structured scoring, Patrol emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Qashqai may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

Based on structured category scoring, Patrol performs better overall in South Africa. However, final choice depends on driving priorities.

Patrol scores 5 while Qashqai scores 13 in efficiency. Real-world mileage may vary based on driving conditions.

In safety scoring, Patrol scores 20 and Qashqai scores 18. Both offer competitive safety packages in this segment.

Patrol scores 12 versus Qashqai scoring 12. Warranty coverage and ownership value influence this result.

Practicality scoring gives Patrol 13 and Qashqai 13, reflecting cabin space and usability.

Performance category shows Patrol scoring 20 compared to Qashqai scoring 10, indicating stronger overtaking capability.

While resale depends on market demand, ownership and brand positioning suggest Patrol may hold stronger long-term value.

Off-road suitability depends on drivetrain and ground clearance. Refer to the full specification comparison for detailed technical differences.

Efficiency and ownership categories influence running costs. Patrol performs slightly stronger overall in structured scoring.

Value depends on feature set, performance and ownership coverage. Structured comparison gives Patrol the overall advantage.

In Depth — Breaking It All Down

The comparison between Patrol and Qashqai in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Patrol scores 20 vs 10.

Efficiency: Patrol scores 5 vs 13.

Safety: Patrol scores 20 vs 18.

Practicality: Patrol scores 13 vs 13.

Ownership: Patrol scores 12 vs 12.

Final structured scoring gives Patrol the advantage in this comparison.

Nissan Patrol vs Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Patrol

Nissan Qashqai

At a Glance — Who Wins What

The Overall Score — Here's How They Stack Up

Patrol

Qashqai

The Bottom Line

Where They Actually Differ

Score Breakdown by Category

Patrol

Qashqai

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Patrol

Qashqai

Which One's Right for You?

Patrol

Qashqai

Full Specs, Side by Side

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Other Comparisons Worth Checking

Buyers Also Looked At These

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

In Depth — Breaking It All Down