Mitsubishi Pajero 2026 review: International first drive | Toyota Prado rival tested

There has never been a better time to buy a four-wheel drive, with buyers spoiled for choice.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero will land in dealerships this December, and go up against the old brigade led by the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.

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This Pajero is more aligned with the old guard, but a new hope is dawning with the promise of hybrid and plug-in hybrid propulsion in the near future.

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero engine, transmission and other details

For now it packs a 150kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine, which is an evolution of the twin-turbo unit found in the Triton.

Mitsubishi has also ditched the six-speed auto from the Triton in favour of an eight-speed automatic transmission, which will improve performance and help lower fuel use by giving the vehicle more control over the rev range.

It shares its underpinnings with the current Triton ute, but Mitsubishi has done a lot of work to make the Pajero a more refined and accomplished daily driver.

The chassis is stiffer with greater use of high-quality steel, which increases its stability during cornering but also improves its durability and reliability to better handle the rough stuff.

The rear suspension from the Triton has been replaced with a sophisticated five-link set-up with coil springs to smooth out bumps and lumps.

And the track has been widened to make it more stable.

How is the 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero to drive?

We headed to Mitsubishi’s proving ground in Okazaki, Japan, to be one of the first people to get behind the wheel of the new Pajero. 

The giant Okazaki facility holds the company’s research and development centre, one of its vehicle proving grounds and car factory.

Our short loop takes in several of the company’s test routes.

The dynamic test mimics a twisting country road, the suspension test pairs together multiple broken and rough road surfaces and the high speed loop is a mind-bending road that has the vehicle pitched at 18-degrees as you whip through the big curve. Off-road testing will have to wait.

The test, while short, showed some of the car's strengths and weaknesses.

Mitsubishi’s switch to an eight-speed auto is a masterstroke. The new engine transmission combo elevates the drive experience with it smoother and more refined than the Triton.

The wide ratios keep the engine humming in its sweet spot, with it doing it easily at 140km/h in eighth gear at about 2000rpm.

It could do with a bit more torque, the Pajero not having the responsiveness and initial shove of its rivals back home. It isn’t a performance car but for its category it felt a tad sluggish and heavy.

It is remarkably quiet at high speed, with minimal wind noise or tyre roar. There is a slight grumble of the engine permeating through the cabin, but nothing that would get in the way of comfortable conversation.

This is paired with well balanced steering that provides decent feedback giving drivers a great idea of what is happening underneath them.

It is surprisingly nimble for a circa 2500kg 4WD, with it handling quick changes of direction admirably. 

It held its own through the quick corners, exerting solid body control with less lean through the bends than expected of a car this big.

This is the result of the wider track, upgraded suspension and the rally-bred Active Yaw Control (AYC) that helps manage the torque delivery to left and right wheels to increase stability when cornering.

The Pajero’s suspension treads a fine balance — not too soft, not too firm.

On the broken road surfaces it soaked up the bumps and imperfections with ease, but it didn’t encounter anything to mimic the pockmarked roads we encounter at home.

First impressions matter, and the Pajero has made a lasting one, but we’ll reserve judgement until we’ve had a proper drive on public roads in Australia.

2026 Mitsubishi interior highlights

This is the plushest Mitsubishi interior to date.

It is festooned with premium materials and high-tech features. The cascading leather covered dash is a design highlight and the dual screens paired with proper buttons and dial controls show it's a 4WD for the modern age.

The seats a comfy and easily adjustable and the second row seats sit up higher giving a good view out the forward and side windows.

The third row is accessed by a one touch tumbling seat that provides a big space to load passengers through. All rows get air conditioning vents and USB-C ports.

The boot is mini with all seven seats in use. The last row seats easily fold down with just the pull of a cord, but they don't fold completely flat.

2026 Mitsubishi Pajero prices

Prices kick off at $68,490, before on-road costs, for the entry-level GLS with five seats, or $69,990 with seven seats.

The mid-tier Exceed jumps up to $79,990 and the range-topping GSR starts at $84,990. Both variants are only available with seven seats.

Mitsubishi will also back the Pajero with its conditional 10-year/200,000km warranty, which requires owners to complete all their scheduled workshop visits at a Mitsubishi dealership or it reverts to a five year/100,000km guarantee.

Mitsubishi offers up to 10 years' of capped-price servicing with scheduled workshop visits required every 15,000km or 12 months.