- All-new Mitsubishi Pajero debuts as a flagship cross-country SUV.
- It pairs a diesel engine with a Triton-derived ladder frame chassis.
- Sales start in Thailand ahead of a global rollout to 100 markets.
After years out of the catalog, Mitsubishi has a new-generation Pajero, and it revives one of the few off-road nameplates in the business with a real rally record behind it. The company is calling it a global flagship and a cross-country SUV, which in practice means truck hardware under the sheetmetal, modern tech, and a cabin pitched further upmarket than the badge has managed in years.
The new Pajero stretches 4,920 mm (193.7 inches), which lines it up against the Toyota Land Cruiser 250 Series, the version North America gets. The body is upright and slab-sided, dressed with T-shaped LEDs, thick skid plates, squared-off wheel arches, side gills stamped with Pajero lettering, a textured C-pillar that wraps up to the roof, and a sculpted tailgate. Paint choices include the Armor Copper Metallic pictured here and a new Phantom Blue Metallic with gold accents.
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Inside, there are three rows and seven seats, made possible by a 2,870 mm (113.0-inch) wheelbase. Mitsubishi has gone upmarket with soft-touch materials and optional Camel-toned leather with black inserts and fine stitching.
On the tech front, the center piece is the dual 14.3-inch displays mounted in a single panel (12.3-inch display on lower trim levels), with 16 background themes and a digital Multi Meter display referencing the triple gauges of older Pajero generations. The latter will show off-road telemetry data including altitude, compass heading, temperature, pitch/roll angles and more.
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Sound insulation got real attention here, with acoustic glass and other measures behind Mitsubishi’s claim that passengers can hold a normal conversation at highway speeds and in other “high-noise conditions.” The audio comes from Yamaha, with 12 speakers, dual amplifiers, and noise compensation.
Safety kit runs to eight airbags, the MI-PILOT driver assistance suite, and a 3D Multi Around Monitor with a virtual under-floor camera view.
Rugged Underpinnings And “Clean Diesel”
The SUV is based on the ladder frame chassis of the Triton, albeit with a model-specific suspension giving it a more refined ride. This includes an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a five-link rigid rear axle tuned with insights from Mitsubishi’s Dakar Rally engineering programs. Off-road capability is supported by 230 mm (9.1 in) of ground clearance, a 30.4-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree breakover angle, and a 25.8-degree departure angle.
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Under the hood lies a 2.4-liter diesel engine with a single variable geometry turbocharger. The company has yet to reveal the output of the non-electrified powertrain but confirmed it generates 480 Nm (354 lb-ft) of torque or a slightly lower 470 Nm (347 lb-ft) rating for “select specifications”. In the future, the diesel is expected to be joined by electrified powertrain options.
Drive goes to all four wheels through a “newly developed” eight-speed automatic and a standard 4WD system. That system carries Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Active Yaw Control (AYC) and seven terrain modes.
Production And Market Availability
Production of the new Mitsubishi Pajero will take place in Thailand, next to the Triton. Initial market launches are set for Thailand, Japan, and Australia during by the end of March 2027. These will be followed by a wider rollout to 100 global markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
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Mitsubishi has confirmed the Pajero will wear the Montero badge in some export markets. The company recently said “no decision has been made regarding a U.S. introduction of this vehicle,” though some derivative or version of the Pajero could still reach North America by 2030.
Besides the flagship cross-country SUV, Mitsubishi plans to use the Pajero nameplate in other models, effectively turning it into a sub-brand. Members of the extended Pajero family will include a kei-sized offering for Japan and a compact SUV with rugged looks.
