2021 Nissan Patrol facelift unveiled – UPDATE: Australian arrival ruled out | CarAdvice

The 2021 Nissan Armada (as the Nissan Patrol is known in the US) has been unveiled – however, the brand’s Australian arm has confirmed the updates won’t be coming Down Under.

The model-year-2021 facelift revealed in the US overnight brings the Armada closer in line with the facelifted Patrol introduced in Australia and other markets in late 2019 – however, there are some notable differences.

Headlining the updates is revised front and rear styling, with changes including a reshaped front end with new LED headlights, a larger ‘V-Motion’ grille (featuring Nissan’s new logo) and a restyled lower bumper, along with revised LED tail-lights connected by full-width metallic trim.

While Australian-delivered Nissan Patrol models share the updated Armada’s LED headlights and tail-lights, the local model differs with a more rounded grille and unique lower bumper design.

A Midnight Edition package will also be offered for buyers of the mid-spec SL variant, adding a black finish for the badges, mirrors, roof rails, grille, skid plates and tail-light trim.

While not officially confirmed, it’s possible similar blacked-out styling elements could be offered in Australia as part of a special edition model at a later date.

Above: Nissan Armada SL Midnight Edition

The updated Nissan Armada differs most from its Australian Patrol equivalent inside the cabin, where the 2021 updates have seen the addition of a redesigned central stack featuring a new 12.3-inch infotainment display.

The larger, higher-resolution screen – up from the outgoing car’s 8.0-inch unit, as featured on Australian-spec models – offers wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto smartphone mirroring technology, the former activated via the Qi wireless charging slot integrated into the dashboard.

Other available features include over-the-air updates for the infotainment system, a 7.0-inch colour display between the instrument dials, a 13-speaker Bose premium sound system and a larger, digital rear-view mirror, which uses a camera behind the vehicle to provide an uninterrupted view out the rear window, past cargo and passengers that would normally obstruct a driver’s vision.

A range of active safety technologies are on offer for US buyers – many of which are currently available in Australia – including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera and more.

Under the bonnet, the Armada’s familiar 5.6-litre naturally-aspirated V8 petrol engine has seen a performance boost for the new year, from 291kW/534Nm to 298kW/560Nm – matching the Australian-market Patrol.

Drive is still sent to the ground through a seven-speed automatic transmission, with US models offering the choice of rear-wheel-drive or permanent four-wheel-drive, the latter featuring both high- and low-range modes.

Towing capacity is rated at 3856kg – 356kg more than locally-delivered models – with a Trailer Sway Assist feature now available on higher trim grades.

The 2021 Nissan Armada will go on sale in the US in January 2021.

However, despite the Armada merely being a rebadged Patrol, Nissan Australia has confirmed the updates won’t come to Australia, with the changes to be exclusive to the US model.

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Below: The current, Australian-market Nissan Patrol