2027 Mitsubishi Pajero pre-production review: First off-road test

The legendary Mitsubishi Pajero is making its comeback before the end of the year with a new vehicle using a body-on-frame design, unlike the monocoque Pajeros of the last generation. That chassis is derived from the one under the current Triton ute, as is the four-cylinder diesel engine.

Five- and seven-seat variants will be available in local showrooms from December 2026, with the five-seat GLS priced at $68,490, the seven-seat GLS at $69,990, the seven-seat Exceed at $79,990 and the seven-seat GSR topping the range at $84,990 (all RRP).

The important news is what sits underneath. Every Pajero gets a dual-range transfer case, rear differential lock and Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system, with 3500kg of braked towing capacity. So you don’t need to step up to the higher-spec models to get the important off-road hardware.

Off-road performance

Our first taste of the new Pajero was in pre-production models at a four-wheel drive park in South Australia. We didn’t turn a wheel on bitumen and rarely saw more than 25-30km/h, so it was hardly a thorough evaluation.

But on the evidence of the dirt, this is the most convincing Mitsubishi in more than a decade (maybe two!) – and a giant leap for the Pajero nameplate. It takes a genuine step forward in off-road ability and an even bigger one in comfort and refinement.

We didn’t get the chance to experience the engine’s full fury, but what we did sample impressed. Throttle response is well measured, nicely calibrated for feeding in power over rocks and up steep pinches, and it works well with the eight-speed auto.

1

Arguably the biggest improvement is in refinement. The old Pajero – as loveable as it was – could get raucous, whereas the new one is quiet and smooth. It’s also noticeably more refined than the Triton, which uses a twin-turbo version of the same engine.

More ratios also bring benefits. First gear is shorter, something that pays off with engine braking on descents. While you’ve still got hill descent control as an electronic aid, you’re less likely to need it or to brush the brakes than in the previous car.

While the independent suspension and monocoque setup worked surprisingly well in the previous Pajero, the new one’s nod to tradition – a ladder frame with a live rear axle – steps things up considerably. There’s less chance of scuffing the metal underbody protection over rocks.

1

Wheel articulation has also headed in the right direction; the rear end in particular droops and compresses far more than the old Pajero’s, keeping tyres planted where the previous car would be lifting a wheel and scrabbling. In short, you’re less likely to need electronics because there’s more real traction to play with.

You can argue about the need for a 2H setting (Toyota doesn’t bother in the Prado), but Mitsubishi’s Super Select is as good as ever, with 2H, 4H, 4H Lock and locked low range. Pair that locking centre diff with a rear locker and there’s supreme traction. The traction control generally worked well, but on one cross-axle climb it couldn’t quite sort things out in the auto mode we’d left it in. Lock the centre and rear diffs, though, and the Pajero walked through without fuss.

If there’s one complaint, it’s forward vision; that bulky bonnet makes it trickier to place the front wheels on rocky climbs. Thankfully, technology helps, with the 360-degree camera and see-through bonnet system providing some digital visibility of what’s going on up front.

Electric power steering replaces the old hydraulic setup – and, as with the HiLux, Prado and others, the change is a revelation, making for far easier manoeuvrability. It’s lighter and requires fewer twirls to get the job done.

1

Interior and refinement 

Inside, the leap in the Pajero world is enormous. This is an off-roader that pampers.

It’s impressively quiet and refined, and the finishes, materials and modern pixel-infused layout are a big step beyond any other current Mitsubishi. It feels roomier than the photos suggest, too. Grab handles on each A-pillar and either side of the dash are handy for bracing yourself in the rough stuff or climbing aboard.

A digital instrument cluster flows into the central screen, and there’s a proper volume knob (hooray!). The iconic Mitsubishi multimeter has survived the digital transition, now as a screen showing your choice of three of six readouts: pitch, roll, compass, altitude, clock and Active Yaw Control. It’s handy, but it takes over the whole centre display and lacks the charm of the old dash-top gauges.

There’s a 150-watt household outlet in the second row (enough for a fridge or some lights, but not a kettle or toaster) and a 12-volt socket plus USB-C ports in the third row. The dual glovebox adds to the hidey-holes you can stuff things into.

When it comes time to clean out an air filter or check the fluids, there are gas struts to prop the bonnet up – a small detail that reflects the effort Mitsubishi has put into the new Paj. And, as with the Prado, the swing-out tailgate is gone in favour of a lift-up door, which means the full-size spare is now hidden underneath.

1

Engine and powertrain

The engine is the latest-generation version of Mitsubishi’s 4N16 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel and produces 150kW and 480Nm, with a variable-geometry turbocharger in lieu of the twin turbos used in other applications. 

Peak torque has increased by 10Nm over the previous application, while the new turbocharger is designed to improve midrange response, which should be useful for low-speed off-road driving and towing. The Pajero has a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

The engine uses a water-cooled intercooler, dual-loop EGR and AdBlue to meet Euro 6d emissions standards. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to the Super Select 4WD-II transfer case.

1

Verdict

Add it all up, and on rough roads the new Pajero makes a sizable leap in the right direction.

Where the Triton felt like Mitsubishi simply adding another ute to the pile, the Pajero feels like the result of a company trying hard to unseat established rivals such as the Prado, Everest and MU-X while taking on the tsunami of new brands entering the 4×4 wagon market. The opposition is tough, but our first taste of the new Pajero suggests this is Mitsubishi back near its best.

The new Pajero will be launched in Australia in December, and we’ll have a full on- and off-road review for you then.

Model range and pricing

Safety features

Passive safety

• Driver and front passenger front and side airbags
• Front centre airbag
• Driver knee airbag
• Curtain airbags for first and second rows
• Third-row curtain airbags on seven-seat models
• Three second-row child restraint anchor points
• ISOFIX child-seat mounting points

Active safety and driver assistance

• MiPilot adaptive cruise control with Lane Keep Assist
• Leading Car Departure Notification
• Minimum Risk Manoeuvre
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Intelligent Speed Limiter
• Automatic Post-Collision Braking
• Emergency Call System
• Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Predictive Forward Collision Mitigation
• Rear Autonomous Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Warning and Lane Change Assist
• Emergency Lane Assist
• Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention
• Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Multi Around View Monitor
• Bonnet see-through camera
• Front and rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Driver Attention Alert
• Driver Monitor System
• Child Presence Detection
• Automatic High Beam
• Active Yaw Control
• Active Stability Control
• Anti-Lock Braking System
• Active Traction Control
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
• Brake Override System
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Hill Start Assist

1

What do you get?

Pajero GLS

• 2.4-litre 4N16 turbo-diesel | 150kW/480Nm
• Eight-speed automatic
• Super Select 4WD-II
• Rear differential lock
• Seven drive modes
• 3500kg braked towing capacity
• 18-inch alloy wheels with 255/65R18 Mud and Snow tyres
• Five- or seven-seat configuration
• Waterproof black fabric seats
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch multimedia display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• Mitsubishi CONNECT
• Dual-zone front and automatic rear air conditioning
• Electric tailgate
• Comfort and convenience
• Heated steering wheel
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Electric park brake with auto-hold
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Privacy glass
• LED headlights, fog lamps and DRLs
• Black roof rails
• Grey side steps
• Black wheel-arch mouldings

Pajero EXCEED

In addition to GLS

• 20-inch machined alloy wheels
• Black leather seats
• Electric front seats
• Heated front and rear seats
• 14.3-inch multimedia display
• 14.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Refrigerated centre console
• Second-row sunshades
• Yamaha Ultimate 12-speaker audio system with amplifier and subwoofer

Pajero GSR

In addition to EXCEED

• 20-inch black alloy wheels
• Two-tone camel and black leather seats
• Ventilated front seats
• Front-seat, steering-wheel and door-mirror memory
• Panoramic sunroof
• Black headlining
• Black exterior mirrors and wheel-arch mouldings
• Dark bumpers
• Front grille LED lighting
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Adaptive Driving Beam
• Nanoe X air purifier