The Land Cruiser brings unmatched dependability and newcomer hybrid power, while the Patrol delivers raw performance, luxury, and adaptive suspension.
Your choice depends on your driving priorities—heritage or horsepower.
My choice?
Read ahead to find out.
Meet the Beasts—Land Cruiser and Patrol Go Head-to-Head
Toyota Land Cruiser (J300)
- Starts around AED 238,900 in UAE
- Twin-turbo 3.5L V6 standard (409 hp), plus new hybrid variant with 457 hp and 790 Nm torque
- Body-on-frame platform; 230 mm ground clearance, Multi-Terrain Select, E-KDSS, underbody camera, and 700 mm wading depth
Nissan Patrol (Y63)
- Priced from AED 239,900 (base) to AED 379,900 (Platinum City trim)
- Swapped the V8 for twin-turbo 3.5L V6 producing 425 hp and 700 Nm
- New adaptive air suspension with 70 mm height adjustment, wading to 700 mm, and six terrain modes
Should I trust the Land Cruiser’s hybrid powertrain?
Yes. The UAE market gets the hybrid version first—a first for the Land Cruiser.
It’s more powerful and responsive, while still maintaining Toyota’s legendary durability.
Does Patrol’s tech-packed cabin outshine the Cruiser?
Inside, Patrol feels lavish: dual 14″ screens, massaging seats, biometric climate control, and fridge.
It’s luxury by design—great for families or long trips.
Is Patrol’s adaptive suspension a game changer?
Definitely. Its air suspension adapts from dunes to tarmac, lowering at speed and raising up to 70 mm off-road.
Owners say it glides over rough desert terrain .
Surviving In The Sand
Both SUVs offer ~700 mm wading depth, excellent approach (~32°) and departure (~25°) angles.
But:
- Land Cruiser uses electronic KDSS to improve articulation, plus Multi-Terrain Select and a 360° camera package .
- Patrol adds rear diff-lock, invisible bonnet cam, terrain modes (rock, mud, sand), and full-time 4WD.
Reddit users tell us the Patrol feels more capable when you push it hard—ask any dune-bashing enthusiast.
But it’s best to let the electronics do the work.
Which One Handles Daily UAE Life Better?
Land Cruiser
- Built-in ruggedness with underbody cameras, hybrid efficiency, and legendary resale.
- It’s super reliable, though some complain about turbo lag and stiff acceleration in entry-level trims.
Patrol
- Feels modern, luxurious, and responsive—but it’s thirstier (9 km/L real-world vs LC’s efficient hybrid)
- Owner say it just does everything.
Will I regret ditching the V8 for these V6 turbos?
No. Land Cruiser’s new V6 turbo has lag but Toyota’s proven build quality remains. Patrol’s twin-turbo delivers more thrill—but demands a tuned suspension to match desert demands.
Which is more practical in sand and city driving?
Land Cruiser is easier to drive daily with softer suspension, underbody cams, and hybrid throttle mapping. Patrol is more capable off-road but can feel bulky in city traffic.
Which One Should You Buy?
- For reliability and hybrid efficiency that handles both desert and city—Land Cruiser is the classic pick.
- For tech-packed luxury and aggressive off-road aggression—Patrol Platinum is harder to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the fuel expenses compare between the hybrid Land Cruiser and the twin‑turbo Patrol over city, highway, and desert driving?
This is a common concern among UAE buyers—nobody wants to feel the sting at the pump after a weekend desert run.
While the Land Cruiser hybrid is projected to deliver significantly better efficiency thanks to its hybrid powertrain, actual fuel savings depend on driving habits and load.
The Patrol, with its twin-turbo V6, delivers more performance but consumes more precious dirhams per kilometer.
Can the Land Cruiser’s new hybrid drivetrain really match the Patrol’s off-road capabilities in dunes and rocky terrain?
Drivers often wonder if Toyota’s modern hybrid version maintains the Land Cruiser’s legendary terrain prowess.
It does—sensors and AWD systems are robust—but the way power is delivered differs from the raw petrol roar of the Patrol.
Expect smooth, tech-assisted throttle modulation vs. aggressive torque from the twin-turbo.
Given current climate and service infrastructure in the UAE, which SUV is easier and cheaper to maintain long-term?
Reliability in harsh desert conditions is key. While both vehicles have strong presence in the region, parts and expertise for Land Cruiser hybrids may still be limited compared to the long-established V6 Patrol ecosystem.
Discussing real estate of service centers, part costs, and ease of keeping these SUVs in peak condition is a common gap in many reviews.
How difficult is it to get parts or service for the hybrid system in the Land Cruiser compared to the tried-and-tested Patrol systems?
UAE owners often ask if choosing the newer hybrid system complicates maintenance or increases cost.
Given the Land Cruiser’s first-time hybrid availability in the region, questions around service intervals, diagnostic tools, and hybrid-specific parts are frequent—yet rarely answered in complete detail.
Which one has stronger resale value in UAE, especially taking into account model year, hybrid vs. petrol, and mileage?
Resale value is a top priority in the Gulf market, especially with high ownership costs.
Buyers want to know if the Land Cruiser hybrid will outperform older petrol models or if the Patrol’s V6 will hold stronger resale.
The nuances—like trim-level demand or how actual off-road use affects depreciation—aren’t often fully explored in standard comparisons.
My Choice Is The…
Alright, after much research and a few test drives, I must say, I am siding towards the Land Cruiser.
Yes yes, it is Toyota, it is reliable and all that, but beyond these things, it’s the way the Land Cruiser is built.
It feels custom made for the UAE climate. When you sit inside it, you feel as if you are in a cocoon.
A cocoon of safety.
Yes, these SUVs cost a fortune in UAE—but they justify it.
It’s easy for me to choose the Land Cruiser because even though it offers less performance than the Nissan Patrol, my priorities are not performance. I will look at a sedan or a coupe for that. But if I’m in the market for an off-road beast, there’s much more than meets the eye.
