THE LAST OF THE PATROLHICANS

AFTER NEARLY 15 YEARS ON AUSSIE SHORES, DOES THE FINAL VERSION OF THE V8 PATROL STILL HOLD UP?

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There's something indefinable about the Y62 Patrol, as though it has some sort of X factor like a singer on a talent show rather than just being a large 4X4 wagon. With its big, brash petrol V8, fully independent suspension and a luxury interior, Australians should have hated it... but it's much more than the sum of its parts and we love it.

The Patrol seemingly has the handling and acceleration of a V8-swapped MX-5 - it defies modern physics and makes you feel as though there's no problem that can't be resolved by putting your boot into that VK56 5.6L engine and washing your soul with its glorious exhaust note. This is a powerful rig in more than one sense.

Despite the big Patrol's long list of positives, there are a few negatives to offset. The interior is now at least 10 years out of date, the V8 drinks fuel (by modern standards) like a salty sea-dog at an open bar and, no matter how you slice it, the fully independent suspension is a far cry from the live axles that gave the GQ and GU models of yesteryear their off-road prowess and cemented the Patrol nameplate as one of the best and most trustworthy in the country.

With the Y63's release not coming until late in 2026, does the latest and greatest Y62 - the Premcar-tweaked Warrior - still offer enough to entice buyers to spend six figures on an outgoing old warhorse?

ON-ROAD