Forget the Toyota FJ LandCruiser, the mini Pajero could be the must have little 4WD to beat the 2026 Suzuki Jimny and baby G-Wagen

Mitsubishi is going all-in on its legendary Pajero.

The brand has only just confirmed the beefy four-wheel drive is making a return this year, but has now dropped another bombshell that’ll have urban and rural 4WD enthusiasts champing at the bit.

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The official transcript for the presentation read: “In addition to the "Pajero" to be launched this year as a model that embodies the DNA of Mitsubishi Motors-ness, we will introduce additional new models going forward as part of the 'Pajero' series.”

The most obvious model to make a comeback would be the mini Pajero. It is not known whether this would use a rugged ladder frame like the incoming Pajero - which is based on the Triton ute - or use an existing SUV platform for a more on-road bias.

Last year Japanese magazine Best Car, which is known for its well placed sources in the country’s car industry, broke news that a mini Pajero was in the works.

Best Car stated the Mini Pajero project was believed to be dead, but the success of the Delica Mini van has inspired the company to apply the same principle to one of its most storied nameplates.

The belief is the mini Pajero would be built on the shared Nissan and Mitsubishi kei car platform that spawns vehicles such as the Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi eK and aforementioned Delica Mini.

That points to micro dimensions at less than 3400mm long and 1480mm wide and a hybrid set-up with no more than 47kW.

The Pajero project doesn’t stop there, with the slideshow depicting three models.

The other could be a shorter wheelbase three door version of the full-size Pajero.

This again would give it a point of difference to big name rivals such as the Toyota Prado, Nissan Patrol and Ford Everest.

There are no other details currently, but the plan is for the 2030s, so we won’t see any of these models until next decade.

A lot can change in that time, but what we do know is the full-size Pajero will be here before the end of 2026.

We haven’t seen it in full yet, with it to be properly revealed in the coming months but we have already spied it testing in Australia.

The new Pajero has blocky proportions similar to the incoming Nissan patrol. It is based on the Triton ute, so it has a rugged ladder frame ideal for off-roading. You can expect it to tow 3500kg, too.

Odds on it will use the same 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that powers the triton and makes 150kW and 470Nm.