The global launch of the 2020 Nissan Patrol was probably the biggest car launch the Middle East has ever seen. While the model is sold in only a handful of countries, it is clearly one of the best-selling premium cars ever in the UAE. The new model is more of an extensive update than a full redesign, but there’s no one better to review the changes, considering we actually own the outgoing model.
We flew from Dubai all the way to South Korea to drive the GCC-spec 2020 Hyundai Palisade midsize SUV and see if it has what it takes to compete in this hotly-contested segment.
We love grand tourers. They have the perfect balance of excitement and practicality. We owned a big brash third-generation Toyota Supra (the one before the Farce & Furious hero car) about a decade ago, and it had immense road presence as well as the ability to carry four people in a pinch. From that we moved on to a Jaguar XK, and even considered an old Bentley Continental GT at some point. But the 2020 Toyota Supra is not a grand tourer. It’s a full-blown sports car.
The old Land Rover Defender became legendary for its offroading prowess while offering a minimum of modern conveniences. It was never particularly suited for markets outside Europe though, with its pathetic diesel engine (a weak petrol V8 option died a quick death by the late 90s), its unsuitability for extreme desert driving, its sky-high price that dwarfed more capable rivals, and its propensity for being unreliable even after half a century of development time. Owners and fans may vehemently disagree, setting a low bar for their expectations, but even I wore the Land Rover blinkers for several years before coming to my senses.
If you’re wondering why we don’t talk about our 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser any more, it’s because we sold it last year to a reader. And what a great car it was. Let’s take a final look at the running costs.
| The Good: – Sleek and suave styling – Fair cabin practicality – Unflappable power and handling |
The Bad: – Fiddly multimedia system – It won’t drift or even skid – Priced like an apartment |
We road-test on and offroad regular-cab 2019 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss and RST models, which are exclusive to the Middle East in this body style.
| The Good: – Most modern tech in its class – Cabin trim and space – Strong turbo engine |
The Bad: – Pushes the boundaries of size – Some hard-plastic trim – Expensive with options |
The Ram 1500 is all-new for the 2019 model year, and we find out if FCA has done enough to take the fight to its cross-town rivals in this quick video review.
| The Good: – Great handling – Fair highway power – Good fuel economy |
The Bad: – Cabin trim could be better – Jerky low-speed drive – Limited offroad abilities |