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.
Data checked: specs 28 Aug 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$86,790RRP
- with the Nissan Patrol's standard kit: $86,790 (nothing to add)
$90,600RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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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
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Volkswagen Touareg
- REC-006525 · published 8 Jan 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective and overheat during charging.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-004990 · published 4 Nov 2021If the tailgate is opened and manually pushed up too far the pre-compressed coil springs may become detached from the boot strut and detach with great force from the mounting.Year range on the notice: 2019
- REC-001677 · published 23 Jul 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 3 more on the model page.
Nissan Patrol
- REC-006582 · published 3 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, some affected vehicles were fitted with an incorrect tyre placard.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-001637 · published 2 Aug 2021The fuel pump module may not have been manufactured properly and may bind internally, restricting or stopping fuel to the engine.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2020
- REC-001097 · published 2 Dec 2014The fuel pressure sensor of some vehicles may be insufficiently tightened to the fuel rail, and may loosen gradually due to heat and vibration of the engine.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Touareg features a 15-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan Patrol gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Touareg stands out with power tailgate — features our data doesn't list for 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 8 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol responds with a Petrol making 298kW and 560Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
The Nissan Patrol has the clear power advantage at 298kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan Patrol is 1.4s 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 12.5m
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
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.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg) vs 5 years / 999,999km (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
Volkswagen Touareg: Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 61
The Volkswagen Touareg comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (72 vs 61), taking 3 of 5 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: fuel economy (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 65), value (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 16), performance (Nissan Patrol ahead by 16). 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.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Volkswagen Touareg and Nissan Patrol carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L with the seats up.
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 Nissan Patrol is quickest to 100km/h in 6.6s.
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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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