Toyota Land Cruiser vs Nissan Patrol: The Ultimate SUV Battle in the UAE

Abu Dhabi: In the rapidly evolving full-size SUV market in the UAE, two names stand out like shining stars. The Toyota Land Cruiser and the Nissan Patrol both carry a weight that none of their contemporaries can even dream of. Frankly, both of these SUVs are not just regular cars; they have morphed into cultural icons, family pride and reliable companions, well integrating into the lifestyle of the Emirates for a few generations. These three-row, full-size SUVs have earned a reputation for their built quality, toughness and usability. No matter whether you embark on desert adventures, family road trips or official convoys and government fleets, they are the go-anywhere machines. Both the SUVs command a huge respect on the roads, a unique distinction. This is at a time when the market is literally flooded with modern crossovers and luxury imports, the Land Cruiser and Patrol are simply irreplaceable in the premium full-size SUV segment.

Several reasons make them legendary as they carry a superb combination of power, heritage, and adaptability. Buyers in the UAE, especially families and professionals, who look for SUVs that are capable of taking on intense summer heat, long-distance highway travel, and, of course, the region’s dunes. And both the Land Cruiser and Patrol deliver on these fronts with flying colours, and are also known for their spacious, comfortable, and highly equipped cabins that work just as well for families as they do for adventurers.

With both Toyota and Nissan rolling out updated models in 2024 and 2025, with the latest upgrades, to keep their appeal to new buyers. And yet the competition between these two titans of the segment touches to new heights. The Land Cruiser carries on its unrivalled reputation for reliability and off-road pedigree, now powered by modern twin-turbo engines that balance strength and efficiency. The Patrol, on the other hand, remains true to its performance-driven identity, with the iconic V8 and the sporty NISMO variant attracting enthusiasts who look for not just power but also elegance and flair.

If you’re in the market looking for a big, family SUV in the UAE today, most likely these two will be on your short list. And, we’re here to tell you everything about them to help make an informed decision.

The Legacy Behind the Legend

For decades now, the Toyota Land Cruiser has achieved a distinction of being a household name in the UAE, establishing itself as a complete all-around SUV. Not many know, but it first arrived in the region in the 50s, and within no time it quickly became popular among a wide range of buyers, including government fleets, families, and desert enthusiasts. Highly regarded for its unparalleled reliability and great off-road abilities, this SUV attained a symbol of trust and prestige. The latest 2025 model, based on Toyota’s TNGA-F platform, into its tenth generation. You get an advanced twin-turbo V6 engine and hybrid options, but Toyota has not maintained its true character: toughness, capability, and everyday comfort. For many Emiratis, the Land Cruiser isn’t just a car; it is a family member, with generations of buyers staying loyal to it.

The Nissan Patrol, meanwhile, has created a space of its own alongside its main rival and has some of its key characteristics that have eventually gained the status of an icon in the UAE. First launched in the region around the same time as the Land Cruiser, over time, it emerged as a rugged desert conqueror, but over the years grew into something more glamorous. Today’s Patrol, in its sixth generation, is identified with its highly refined and powerful V8 engines, elegant exterior design elements, spacious cabin and utmost comfort-packed interiors. Nissan gave this SUV a much-needed facelift in 2024 and also introduced the sporty NISMO variant, emphasising Nissan’s goal to offer luxury with raw power, expanding its appeal to wider customer segments who want both prestige and a well-equipped SUV with splendid road presence.

What makes both the SUVs the gold standard of their segment is their extraordinary dominance of the full-size SUV segment. Year after year, they continue to dominate the segment, remaining the top sellers in the UAE despite growing competition from luxury European brands. If sales trends are of any indication, the Land Cruiser is preferred by buyers who value reliability, resale value, and all-terrain driving dynamics, while the Patrol commands a strong hold among customers looking for its size, power, and bold appearance.

Price Comparison

The Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol are full-size SUVs, sitting right at the top of the market in the UAE. They command the price premium by offering the right mix of rugged and strong performance, luxury, off-road power, and family practicality. Given the wide customer profiles the SUVs attract, they’re available in multiple variants that come with features and tech at different price points, and buyers can choose as per their liking and needs.

The Land Cruiser is available in four major variants: EXR, GXR, VXR, and GR-Sport, priced between AED 239,900 and AED 399,900, offered with a standard 3-year/100,000 km warranty.

The Land Cruiser is available in four major variants: EXR, GXR, VXR, and GR-Sport, priced between AED 239,900 and AED 399,900, offered with a standard 3-year/100,000 km warranty.
The Patrol 2025 is available in XE, SE, Titanium, Platinum, and NISMO variants. The price ranges between AED 239,000 and AED 389,000, and NISMO at AED 449,900 with a standard 5-year/300,000 km warranty.

Variant	Toyota Land Cruiser (AED)	Nissan Patrol (AED)
Base Model	2,38,900	2,39,900
Mid-Range	299,900 (GXR)	2,64,900
Top Trim	355,900 (VXR)	3,89,000
Performance Trim	399,900 (GR-Sport)	449,900 (NISMO)

Dimension Comparison

Well-known for their big size, imposing road presence, and easily recognizable, both SUVs come with large proportions, high seating positions, and commanding stances. The Land Cruiser appears boxy, rugged yet highly elegant, while the Patrol looks a more flowing design with stylish chrome highlights and a sportier front look.

Inside, the Patrol scores well in cabin width and third-row space, which makes it a little more comfortable for larger families with that extra space. The Land Cruiser, however, promises a rather balanced cabin design and layout and is much admired for durability and practical usability in the desert.

Dimension	Toyota Land Cruiser (mm)	Nissan Patrol (mm)
Length	4,995	5,350
Width	1,980	2,030
Height	1,945	1,945
Wheelbase	2,850	3,075
Ground Clearance	235	244
Fuel Tank Capacity	110L	97L
Boot Space	~1,100L (behind 1st row)	~1,200L (behind 1st row)
Wheel Size	18/20 inches	18/20/22 inches

Engine & Performance Comparison

The performance and ability to take on all kinds of terrains, road conditions, towing, desert dunes, highway drives and off-roading is what makes both these SUVs legendary.

The Land Cruiser 2025 is powered by a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol producing 409 hp and 650 Nm torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 system. The second option is 4.0L, V6 271 Hp 6-speed Automatic and 4x4. The GR-Sport variants provide off-road suspension upgrades for serious dune bashing.

The Patrol 2025 retains its legendary naturally aspirated 3.8L V6 engines and 3.5L twin turbo V6, with the Patrol NISMO offering a tuned V6 that produces 495 hp and 700 Nm torque. Its hydraulic body motion control ensures smooth on-road comfort while retaining off-road prowess.

Engine Type	Toyota Land Cruiser	Nissan Patrol
Engine Options	3.5L Twin Turbo V6	3.8L V6 / 3.5 V6
Power Output	409 hp	316 hp (V6) / 420 hp (V8) / 495 hp (NISMO)
Torque	650 Nm	386 Nm (V6) / 620 Nm (V6), 700 Nn (NISMO)
Transmission	10-speed automatic	9-speed automatic
Drivetrain	4WD	4WD
Fuel Economy (Combined)	~9.3 km/L	~8–10 km/L (V8)

Features Comparison

One thing that makes both SUVs desirable is their fully loaded features, which customers look for great luxury, comfort, safety, along with off-road credibility. There is a lot to the Land Cruiser interior which makes you feel in the lap of luxury with great layout of the cabin, the cockpit, high premium and soft touch leather upholstery, super cool ventilated seats to take care of the heat, wireless charging for great convenience and a 12.3-inch infotainment, 14-speaker JBL audio system and Toyota Safety Sense features.
The Patrol got a latest, newly revamped cabin focused towards offering superior luxury. The cabin feels opulent with its quilted leather, a dual-screen infotainment system, and Bose premium audio, and the Platinum City trim comes with the most extravagant features. The NISMO has more sporty carbon-fibre accents and performance styling.

Exterior & Design

Feature	Toyota Land Cruiser	Nissan Patrol
Headlights	LED projector with DRLs	LED with sequential indicators
Wheels	18–20 inches alloy	18–22 inches alloy
Styling	Rugged, boxy, traditional	Sporty, bold, premium

Interior & Comfort

Feature	Toyota Land Cruiser	Nissan Patrol
Upholstery	Leather (higher trims)	Premium quilted leather
Climate Control	4-zone AC	3-zone AC
Infotainment	12.3-inch screen, CarPlay	Dual 12.3 + 10.1-inch displays, CarPlay
Seating	7/8-seater	7/8-seater
Audio	JBL Premium	Bose Premium

Safety & Driver Assist

Feature	Toyota Land Cruiser	Nissan Patrol
Airbags	10	8
Driver Assist	Toyota Safety Sense (ACC, LKA, PCS)	Intelligent Mobility (lane assist, blind spot, 360 cam)
Brakes	ABS, EBD, Stability Control	ABS, EBD, Hydraulic Body Motion Control

What Makes Land Cruiser and Patrol Special in the UAE Market?

When it comes to big SUVs, it looks like the Land Cruiser and Patrol likely stay at the top. So, what makes them so popular in the UAE? Despite many brands offering exciting alternatives, more luxury and even at competitive pricing, buyers in the UAE are unlikely to favour them. The reason is not today but a historical one; for decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol have been serving families and all buyers really well, and even after so long, these SUVs have never disappointed with their performance. And this reliability and dependability make them legendary in the Emirates. Their performance across every possible driving scenario, be it highways, in the desert, and even in city life, remains unparalleled. Over the years, both SUVs have received upgrades and also been fine-tuned to meet the region’s unique demands like, for example, extreme heat, desert dunes, long-distance travel, and family needs.

The Land Cruiser has always been admired for its bulletproof reliability, rugged off-road performance, and impressive resale value, something hard to replicate for any other SUV. The latest generation has now been offered with a twin-turbo V6, which means you get both efficiency and power, while still carrying forward the durability that owners trust. On the other hand, the Patrol is widely acclaimed for its luxurious interiors, wider cabin, and, of course, the powerful V8 engine that attracts buyers who love the thrill of performance. With the NISMO variants' introduction, the Patrol has taken one step further by appealing to enthusiasts who want something sportier and more dynamic. And, it goes without saying that both SUVs have been well praised for their spacious seating for large families, advanced infotainment, premium comfort features, and strong safety technologies, which literally make them perfect for every driving need on/off road or highway. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking to buy a full-size SUV, choosing between the Land Cruiser and Patrol, never going to be easy. There is so much that makes them perfect in each unique way. At the end of the day, it comes down to what you value most: your family’s needs, budget and personal brand preference. As far as the individual SUV goes, there is everything each one offers. Land Cruiser’s legendary durability and practicality, or the Patrol’s luxurious comfort and power. Either way, ownership of these SUVs is going to make you and your family truly something, a pride, performance, and a vehicle that perfectly suits the UAE lifestyle.