Volkswagen Touareg vs Nissan Patrol
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 Volkswagen Touareg starts from $86,790 before on-road costs, while the Nissan Patrol opens at $90,600. 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 $95,469 and $99,660 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Volkswagen Touareg by roughly $10,115 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
Both the Volkswagen Touareg and Nissan Patrol hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 6 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 8 in the Volkswagen Touareg and 7 in the Nissan Patrol.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen, while the Nissan Patrol gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg stands out with power tailgate that you will not find on the Nissan Patrol. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Touareg uses a Diesel producing 170kW and 500Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.9 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol responds with a Petrol making 298kW and 560Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 170kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Touareg is 5.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Touareg measures 4,889mm long on a 2,894mm wheelbase, 286mm shorter than the Nissan Patrol at 5,175mm (3,075mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan Patrol generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg and 620L in the Nissan Patrol, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 190L advantage. The Nissan Patrol seats 8 vs 5.
For towing, the Nissan Patrol 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 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.6m 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 $2,081/year for the Volkswagen Touareg and $4,104/year for the Nissan Patrol. That is a $2,023 annual difference in favour of the Volkswagen Touareg.
Estimated annual total: $2,081 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs $4,104 (Nissan Patrol). 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 (Volkswagen Touareg) vs 5 years / 300,000km (Nissan Patrol). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
Buy the Nissan Patrol if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Nissan'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, Volkswagen Touareg and Nissan Patrol?
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.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Volkswagen Touareg and Nissan Patrol all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg 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.
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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