Fresh twist for new 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD as iconic style axed for reborn legend as benchmarking against Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series revealed 

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero Render
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

News continues to filter in about the incoming Mitsubishi Pajero, including the axing of an iconic body style and the off-road icons the brand will be targeting with its potentially make-or-break 4WD.

The latest news comes from Japan, where Best Car reports the iconic short-wheelbase Pajero will not feature in this new generation, marking the first time a Pajero generation hasn't offered a 'shorty' at some point in its lifespan.

Now something of a collector's item, the three-door Pajero (which was removed from sale in Australia in 2011) would likely look out of place today, where it would be a more luxurious answer to something like a Suzuki Jimny.

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Instead, the Pajero will reportedly be full-size, five-door only – in fact, it will be the biggest in its history – with its length expected to exceed five metres.

Expected to be Triton-based, and to use the Mitsubishi ute's powertrain, the Pajero will be bringing 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque to the off-road party. It should also match the ute's 3500kg braked towing capacity, and off-road capability and on-road comfort are clearly a focus.

In fact, Japanese media has already spotted a camouflaged Pajero alongside a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, presumably for benchmarking purposes, suggesting Mitsubishi has the king in its sights.

Legacy is a point not lost on Mitsubishi, which says any new model has to live up to the badge's heritage.

“For me, the Pajero is an object of admiration,” Mitsubishi's president, Keisuke Kishiura Kishiura has told Automotive News.

“Thanks to its off-road capability, allowing it to tackle any weather or road surface with confidence, its reliability, which withstands even the harshest conditions, and its ride quality and comfort that minimise fatigue on long drives, the Pajero has been cherished by customers around the world.”

The Mitsubishi Pajero is expected to launch in late 2026.

Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will. Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
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