Nissan Patrol Nismo vs. Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport; Race-spec & Rugged
Family SUVs could easily fall into the realm of monotony without their sporty trims to spice things up. Thankfully, Toyota and Nissan thought of this. That’s the reason we have a Nissan Patrol Nismo vs. Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport comparison today. Read till the end as we compare these cars’ performance, interior, safety, and driver assistance technology.
But before we do that, let’s learn a thing or two about Nismo and GR Sport.
Nismo
Nismo is Nissan’s motorsports division, founded in 1984 to manage and improve the brand’s racing and performance operations. It creates performance-oriented versions of Nissan cars with more power, sharper handling, and improved suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics.
Nismo vehicles are tested on tracks like the Nürburgring to refine performance under real conditions before reaching the road. Models like the GT-R Nismo and 370Z Nismo are tuned for drivers who want factory-tuned, track-ready performance.
Nismo also supports professional racing teams in the Super GT, Formula E, and endurance events, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Performance parts are sold under the Nismo brand, allowing customers to upgrade existing Nissans without the need for third-party tuning.
GR Sport
GR Sport is Toyota’s performance-inspired trim, part of the Gazoo Racing lineup. Unlike full GR models, GR Sport versions focus on styling and mild handling upgrades. They often include stiffer suspension, revised steering, and unique exterior and interior touches.
GR Sport doesn’t change engine output, but it aims to provide a sportier feel than the base models. It’s available on various cars, including the Yaris, Hilux, Corolla, and C-HR. GR Sport sits below GR and GRMN in Toyota’s performance hierarchy.
The badge signals sharper looks and tighter response without the cost or intensity of a full GR car, much like the difference between AMG and the AMG line. It’s sport-inspired, not track-built
Nissan Patrol Nismo vs. Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport: Editor’s Opinion
There’s no denying that the Patrol Nismo is faster, but is it the most capable SUV? Not when the Land Cruiser GR Sport is in the picture. The LC300 may be down on power, but it’s still a competent SUV that’s comfortable, somewhat sporty, and very reliable.
The 2025 Nissan Patrol Nismo price in the UAE starts from AED 449,900. Meanwhile, the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport price in the UAE is AED 399,900. You want better performance, buy the Patrol Nismo. But if it’s peace of mind and value for money that matters to you the most, the Land Cruiser GR Sport is the way to go.
Performance
Let’s compare the performance of these super SUVs:
| Specs | Nissan Patrol Nismo | Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport |
| Engine | V6 | V6 |
| Forced Induction | Twin-turbocharged | Twin-turbocharged |
| Displacement | 3.5L | 3.5L |
| Transmission | 9-AT | 10-AT |
| Drivetrain | Full-time 4WD | Full-time 4WD |
| Power | 495 hp | 409 hp |
| Torque | 700 Nm | 650 Nm |
| 0-100 km/h | 6.7 seconds | 6.8 seconds |
| Fuel Economy | 8.9 km/l | 9.9 km/l |
| Weight | 2817 kg | 3230 kg |
What surprises us is how close the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport’s acceleration time is to the Patrol Nismo’s time. Despite weighing more and having less power, the LC GR was only 0.1 second slower to 100 km/h than the Nismo Patrol.
Cabin Comfort
Let’s compare the cabin comfort of these Japanese SUV titans:
| Specs | Nissan Patrol Nismo | Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport |
| No. of seats | 7 | 7 |
| Seat Material | Genuine Leather Seats with Nismo Suede | Premium Sport Leather |
| Paddle Shifters | Yes | No |
| Climate Control | Four‑zone automatic climate control | Four‑zone automatic climate control |
| Multimedia | 2x 14.3” Monolith Display + 12.8″ Rear Entertainment | 7” Optitron Meter MID + 12.3″ Navigation + 11″ Rear Entertainment |
| Apple CarPlay and Android Auto | Standard (Wireless) | Standard (Wireless) |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Lighting | 64-color LED mood lighting | Unavailable |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sunroof | Yes |
| Sound System | 12 Speaker Klipsch Premium Audio system | 14 JBL Speakers |
| Seat Functions | Heated and ventilated seats with memory, massage, and lumbar support | Power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated seats with memory functions |
| Boot Capacity | 1500 L | 1131 L |
Compared to the Patrol Nismo, the GR Sport may seem somewhat basic. However, if you look at the price difference, there isn’t much missing. Yes, the Land Cruiser doesn’t have ambient lighting or massage seats, but that’s what GR stands for. However, the absence of paddle shifters is a turn-off.
The Nissan Patrol Nismo vs. Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport comparison is becoming increasingly interesting by the minute.
Safety and Driver Assistance
Now we will talk about the safety and driver assistance features of both these cars:
| Specs | Nissan Patrol Nismo | Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport |
| Airbags | 10 | 9 |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) | Standard | Standard |
| Automated Emergency Braking (AEB) | Standard | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| ISOFIX | Standard | Standard |
| Electronic Power Steering (EPS) | Standard | Standard |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | Standard | Standard |
| Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) | Standard | Standard |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) | Standard | Standard |
| Hill Start Assist (HSA) | Standard | Standard |
| Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) | Standard | Standard |
| Traction Control (TRC) | Standard | Standard |
| Heads-Up Display (HUD) | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Departure Assist | Standard | Standard |
| Lane Change Assist | Standard | Unavailable |
| 360 Cameras | Standard | Standard |
| Parking Sensors | Standard | Standard |
The safety and driver assistance features on the 2025 Nissan Patrol Nismo and the Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport are essentially the same. Except for the unavailability of Lane Change Assist on the Land Cruiser GR Sport. It’s just a fancy assist, and take our word on it; you’re better off without it.
That concludes our Nissan Patrol Nismo vs. Toyota Land Cruiser GR Sport comparison. Thanks for reading till the end. If you have any questions or queries, let us know in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for more content like this.