Pan-American Highway - QX56 as an overland vehicle?

[jemmie]

Hi everyone.

I'm a car nut ('11 535i, '01 Boxster S, '11 M37x, '05 Rubicon, '05 GMC Envoy) and am looking to drive the Pan-American highway to Patagonia in a few years. I have done a lot of research on which vehicles are "best" and there is no real consensus. Without going into all of the details, I had been looking at a Land Cruiser 100 ('97-'08 Land Cruiser / LX470).

Another vehicle that has come up as an option is the Nissan Patrol. There are no Nissan Patrols in the US per se, but there is the QX56 from 2011 on, which is basically a Nissan Patrol, from what I understand. It's a refined luxury SUV but underneath that refinement it's a very tough off-road vehicle.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the 2011- QX56 as an overland vehicle? Thanks.

[AZhitman]

As you mentioned, it's a gussied-up Patrol. To my knowledge, the Patrol is a regular in the Paris-Dakar, so I can't imagine it would struggle with the Patagonia run.

The Around-View monitor is a Godsend for off-roading, as you don't need a spotter.

[jemmie]

I have been doing some more research and have a concern... I can't seem to find a lot of aftermarket parts for 2011- QX56 in the US. For example, grill guard with winch plate. I know people are going to think it's stupid for a QX56 to have that, but probably less than 1% of Americans know that 2011- QX56 is based on the highly respected offroading Nissan Patrol so I'm ok with that. I want it for the Pan-American trip.

Do 2011- QX56 owners have problems finding aftermarket performance parts and accessories for their vehicles?

[marctronixx]

the qx56-80 2011+ is designed for soccer moms and families with yachts to tow--not to go off roading and pulling cars out of ditches.
yes its based off the rugged patrol but designed for Americans who want class and style.

yes you are going to find aftermarket parts difficult for the qx56/80 because its not a very popular car (which i like--i love being unique here in LA among all the range rovers and escalades).

if you want that type of ruggedness, get the armada (new design rumored to be off the new patrol) or the titan if you don't need an suv.

[AZhitman]

...or find a friend in AU / UK to source some off-road goodies for your QX80 and be totally unique!