Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Mitsubishi Challenger

What's on this page

Mitsubishi Challenger Review, For Sale, Specs, Models & News in Australia

The Mitsubishi Challenger was a large off-road SUV that shares many of its underpinnings with the Triton ute.

Sold from 1996, the Challenger lasted two generations in Australia before being replaced by the similar Pajero Sport in 2015. Interestingly, the Challenger had always carried the ‘Pajero Sport’ name in Europe.

Currently Challengers range from $14,950 for the Challenger LS (5 Seat) (4x4) to $31,500 for the Challenger LS (5 Seat) (4x4).

The Challenger could be had with petrol or diesel drivetrains, and always featured off-road features like four-wheel drive and low-range.

The Challenger competed with the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

This vehicle is also known as Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi Pajero Dakar, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Mitsubishi Shogun Sport, Mitsubishi Strada G-Wagon (Thailand), Mitsubishi Nativa, Beijing BJ2025.

Mitsubishi Challenger Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Mitsubishi Challenger here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • Problems with engine light in a 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger

    This definitely does sound like a build-up of carbon and soot inside the intake system of the engine. Believe it or not, this is not an uncommon problem and occurs partly because of the emissions controls forced upon engine manufacturers.

    The diesel engine in your car features an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system which means the engine inhales a portion of its exhaust so that it goes through the engine twice and is burned more completely. That's good for emissions, but it means that exhaust soot is being consumed by the engine via the intake system.

    Combine that with the oily fumes from the crankcase ventilation system (which also feeds into the intake) and you can soon wind up with a black, sticky, sooty glug that blocks the internal airways much as cholesterol blocks human blood vessels. In some cases, the only way to fix this is to remove the intake system and manually clean it out. This can be time consuming and expensive, but could easily be why your check-engine light is being triggered.

    The other bads news is that this could happen again over time. The solution to that is to fit a quality air-oil separator (also known as a catch-can) which keeps the oil fumes out of the equation.

    Show more
  • My 2011 Mitsubishi Challenger keeps dropping into neutral off-road

    This model Challenger did have a history of engine overheating, largely due to poor surface preparation between the cylinder head and crankcase, allowing coolant to be consumed by the engine. Mitsubishi made production changes that resulted in a smoother head-gasket mating surface, but that's no help to owners of the earlier version.

    In any case, that probably shouldn't affect the transmission and if it's dropping into neutral of its own accord then something – possibly electronic – is going wrong., It's unlikely to be a limp-home response as being in neutral doesn't allow you to limp anywhere, let alone home. But it could be a legitimate response to a transmission heat situation. Have you checked the level of transmission fluid?

    A scan of the vehicle might throw up a clue, but it could also easily be something as simple as a transmission selector that is poorly adjusted and allowing the gearbox to select neutral on rough on uneven ground. Another possibility is that the transmission is, indeed, getting hot as a result of the engine temperature creeping up. The transmission cooler is part of the engine's cooling system, so the two are definitely linked.

    Show more
  • What is the 'standard eyebrow height' of a 2014 Mitsubishi Challenger manual transmission?

    The eyebrow height is measured from the centre of the wheel, vertically to the edge of the wheel arch. The vehicle needs to be on flat ground and unladen for this measurement to be taken. In the case of a 2014 Challenger, the standard front eyebrow height is 542mm and the rear eyebrow height is 552mm.

    Show more
  • How do I know if my Mitsubishi Challenger has a fuel blockage?

    A fuel blockage is definitely one possibility. When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? But in the case of the earlier, petrol-powered Challenger, don’t disregard other things such as an ignition problem which could involve spark plugs, ignition leads or some component of the distributor or coil(s). Has the vehicle sat idle for any length of time? Modern fuel goes `off’ pretty quickly and poor or rough running is a classic symptom of that phenomenon.

    If your car is the later diesel version, the same comments regarding the fuel filter apply, but the situation is magnified as the fuel systems on these modern, common-rail turbo-diesels are quite complex and run at enormous injection pressures. Sorting out a rough running problem in one of these Later Challengers is best done by first electronically scanning the vehicle to see if its on-board computer throws up any fault codes. Those messages can then be decoded and you’ll have a much better idea of what’s wrong. Frankly, the problem could be anything form a high-pressure pump failing to a throttle-position sensor sending false information back to the computer.

    Show more
See All Mitsubishi Challenger Q&As
Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Mitsubishi Challenger Towing Capacity

The Mitsubishi Challenger has maximum towing capacity of 3000kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2015 SUV 2500kg 3000kg
2014 SUV 2500kg 3000kg
2013 SUV 2500kg 3000kg
2012 SUV 2500kg 3000kg
2011 SUV 2500kg 3000kg
See All Towing Capacity for Mitsubishi Challenger

Mitsubishi Challenger Dimensions

The dimensions of the Mitsubishi Challenger SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2015 SUV 1840x1815x4695 mm 220 mm
2014 SUV 1840x1815x4695 mm 220 mm
2013 SUV 1790x1815x4695 mm 205 mm
2012 SUV 1790x1815x4695 mm 205 mm
2011 SUV 1790x1815x4695 mm 205 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mitsubishi Challenger Dimensions

Mitsubishi Challenger Fuel Consumption

The Mitsubishi Challenger is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by Diesel fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 8.3L/100km for SUV /Diesel for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2015 SUV 8.3L/100km 2.5L Diesel 5 SP MAN
2014 SUV 8.3L/100km 2.5L Diesel 5 SP MAN
2013 SUV 8.2L/100km 2.5L Diesel 5 SP MAN
2012 SUV 8.2L/100km 2.5L Diesel 5 SP MAN
2011 SUV 8.3L/100km 2.5L Diesel 5 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Mitsubishi Challenger Pricing and Specs for 2015

Mitsubishi Challenger Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Mitsubishi Challenger varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $21,670 and going to $28,820 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2015 SUV 2.5L, Diesel, 5 SP AUTO $21,670 $28,820
2014 SUV 2.5L, Diesel, 5 SP AUTO $20,020 $26,840
2013 SUV 2.5L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $9,130 $24,970
2012 SUV 2.5L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $8,250 $21,340
2011 SUV 2.5L, Diesel, 5 SP MAN $7,590 $20,130
See All Mitsubishi Challenger Pricing and Specs

Mitsubishi Challenger Wheel Size

The Mitsubishi Challenger has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 265x70 R16 for SUV in 2015 with a wheel size that spans from 16x7 inches.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2015 SUV 265x70 R16 16x7 inches 265x70 R16 16x7 inches
2014 SUV 265x70 R16 16x7 inches 265x70 R16 16x7 inches
2013 SUV 245x70 R16 16x7 inches 245x70 R16 16x7 inches
2012 SUV 245x70 R16 16x7 inches 245x70 R16 16x7 inches
2011 SUV 245x70 R16 16x7 inches 245x70 R16 16x7 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Mitsubishi Challenger Wheel Sizes