Nissan Patrol Name Returns to the U.S. for 2027

For more than half a century, American off-road fans could only admire the Nissan Patrol from a distance. That changes for 2027. Nissan is putting the Patrol name back on a vehicle sold in the U.S. for the first time since 1969, and it’s landing on the most trail-ready version of the Armada.

• The Armada Pro-4X becomes the Armada Patrol Pro-4X for 2027. It’s the first time the Patrol name has been used in the U.S. since 1969.
• New Patrol and “Since 1951” badges arrive, along with optional NISMO rock sliders, a NISMO roof rack, and NISMO Axis wheels.
• The twin-turbo V-6 and off-road hardware carry over unchanged, and the starting price climbs to $81,265.

A Name With Deep Roots

The Patrol goes back a long way. Production started in 1951, so the nameplate turns 75 this year. That’s the same year the Toyota Land Cruiser got its start. Long before “sport utility vehicle” was an everyday phrase, the Patrol was building Nissan’s off-road reputation around the world.

America got a brief taste early on. The second-generation Patrol was sold here through Datsun dealerships, and it was the first Nissan-badged vehicle offered in the United States. Then the name disappeared from the U.S. market after 1969, while the Patrol kept going overseas.

Funny thing is, Americans haven’t really been missing the truck itself. Since the second-generation Armada launched in 2017, it’s been basically a rebadged Patrol. U.S. buyers had the bones all along, just not the name. Nissan is fixing that for 2027, right in time for the Patrol’s 75th anniversary. Nissan announced the change on November 9, 2026.

Fresh Badges and New NISMO Gear

Don’t expect a whole new look. The changes are mostly about identity. A Patrol badge now stretches across the rear of the SUV, while the Armada name moves to the D-pillar.

Climb inside and you’ll spot more nods to the past. The center console carries badges that read “Patrol” and “Since 1951.”

Nissan is also adding new optional trail gear:

• NISMO rock sliders
• A NISMO roof rack
• NISMO Axis wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires

If you actually plan to leave the pavement, those extras make sense. Rock sliders are meant to protect the sides of the body on rough trails, and a roof rack gives you more room for gear on long trips. Just keep in mind these are options, not standard equipment.

Same Muscle Under the Skin

Everything that made the Pro-4X a capable off-roader stays put. You still get an electronic locking rear differential, adaptive air suspension, and a metal underbody skid plate. That’s a solid setup for a big family SUV that can head off the beaten path.

Power doesn’t change either. Under the hood sits the same twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, making 425 horsepower and sending it to all four wheels. Nissan didn’t touch the formula, and that’s probably a good call.

Pricing is where you’ll feel the biggest change. The 2027 Armada Patrol Pro-4X starts at $81,265. Last year’s Armada Pro-4X started at $76,575, so that’s a jump of $4,690. That extra money buys a new name and badges, not new mechanicals.

See the Patrol Pro-4X in Person This Month

Production of the renamed SUV starts in November. Its first public showing is set for the 2026 Los Angeles Auto Show, which runs November 20 through 29. If you’re anywhere near LA, that’s your best early chance to see the new badges and NISMO accessories up close.

For longtime Nissan fans, this is a fun bit of history coming full circle, with the Patrol back after more than five decades away. For practical shoppers, the math is simpler. You’re getting the same twin-turbo V-6, locking rear differential, and air suspension you could buy last year, plus a famous name and some useful optional trail gear. If the Patrol story matters to you, this is the Armada to look at. If it doesn’t, compare the price bump carefully before you sign anything.