Nissan Patrol vs Volkswagen Touareg
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Price Breakdown
The Nissan Patrol starts from $90,600 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Touareg opens at $86,790. That makes the Volkswagen Touareg the more affordable entry point by $3,810.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $99,660 and $95,469 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Touareg by roughly $10,115 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Nissan Patrol features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg counters with power tailgate that the Nissan Patrol does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Nissan Patrol uses a Petrol producing 298kW and 560Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Nissan Patrol measures 5,175mm long on a 3,075mm wheelbase, 286mm longer than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Patrol generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 620L in the Nissan Patrol and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 190L advantage. The Nissan Patrol seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 3,500kg. That 0kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.0m to 12.6m
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $4,104/year for the Nissan Patrol and $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg. That is a $2,023 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $4,104 (Nissan Patrol) vs $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg). The Volkswagen Touareg saves you roughly $2,023 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan Patrol) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Nissan Patrol if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Touareg takes 4 of 5 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Volkswagen Touareg will save you roughly $2,023 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Nissan Patrol and Volkswagen Touareg?
The Volkswagen Touareg is the cheapest at $86,790 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Nissan Patrol by $3,810.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.3L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Nissan Patrol and Volkswagen Touareg carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan Patrol has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Nissan Patrol makes the most power at 298kW. The Volkswagen Touareg is quickest to 100km/h in 5.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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