Nissan’s Armada may be the current name on the street when it comes to the company’s full-size SUV lineup. But six decades ago, the Armada was known as the Patrol. After the Patrol name left our shores, it became a glimpse into what American buyers couldn’t have, especially in off-road capability.

But Nissan is now bringing the Patrol name back (kinda) for 2027 as it looks to bring some simplicity to the Armada lineup.

Trail Enthusiasts Rejoice

At first glance, it can be hard to spot the name change Nissan made, with the rest of the Armada’s trims continuing to be called… the Armada. You have to actually go to the PRO-4X model to find the Patrol name.

Thankfully, Nissan went beyond just slapping a name on its SUV and gave the revived Patrol plenty of upgrades, including a rear locking differential, adaptive suspension, meaty all-terrain tires, and a revised front end to help improve its approach and departure angles. The interior is largely carried over from the Armada, but it has also been given minor tweaks to incorporate the Patrol name, with the cabin retaining its high levels of comfort and tech.

Patrol’s return has been a long time coming

The Patrol has been a familiar presence in the international market for 75 years. But in the U.S., its tenure was rather brief, with the Patrol 60 being available from 1962 to 1969. This early SUV was also the first Nissan-badged vehicle sold in the U.S., and it helped Nissan make a name for itself in a then-new market.

This move to seemingly unify the nameplate is an attempt by Nissan to channel its heritage, with the Patrol nameplate being a reminder of the company’s long history. It will be interesting to see how the name change does in terms of sales, with the Armada always following in the footsteps of Ford, Chevrolet, and Jeep.

Will it inspire a broader name change?

With the Patrol currently being limited to the PRO-4X trim, it does raise a question about whether the Patrol name could eventually make its way to the rest of the Armada lineup.

Allowing the Patrol to expand further would allow the SUV to have a more consistent identity that would be easier to market while also eliminating extra resources and effort that would be required to market both names at once.

Thankfully, Nismo won’t have as much difficulty when it comes to the role it will be playing in the Patrol’s U.S. return. Nissan said the accessories brand will be offering plenty of accessories for the SUV, including Axis wheels with BF Goodrich tires, an upgraded roof rack with integrated lighting, and more.

How much?

Pricing for the 2027 Armada lineup (Patrol included) hasn’t changed too much from 2026, and we have provided the full pricing breakdown below.

Armada SL 4×2	$64,290
Armada SL 4×4	$67,290
Armada Platinum 4×4	$75,790
Armada Patrol PRO-4X 4×4	$78,990
Armada NISMO 4×4	$80,690
Armada Platinum Reserve 4×4	$84,590