Mitsubishi Pajero News

Mitsubishi is close to bringing back its legendary four-wheel drive.The Japanese brand has confirmed its new large off-roader  — likely called Pajero — will be revealed this year, with an Australian launch also tipped for 2026.The latest mail from Japan’s Best Car magazine, which is known for its well-placed sources in the Japanese car industry, reveals the new Pajero will have a three-grade line-up.It is likely the Pajero will borrow the same model grade names from the Triton, which it shares its underpinnings with.This means the base and mid-tier versions are likely to be the GLX and either GLS or GSR. Best Car believes the range-topper will take on the Exceed name in a throwback to past generations of Pajero.Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed any details about the Pajero, including its name, except that the big rig will debut this year.Camouflaged versions have been spotted testing in Australia, including by CarsGuide earlier this year in Western Victoria.Mitsubishi's President Keisuke Kishiura told US outlet Automotive News, "the Pajero is a cross-country SUV that combines fully-fledged off-road capability with the ease of handling and comfort of a passenger car".“We plan to launch the new cross-country SUV within the year.”It is believed to be based on the Triton platform, which means a proper ladder frame that would give it genuine off-road ability. It'll need some fancy adaptable suspension to give it proper on-road manners compared to the Triton.Expect it to use a version of 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine, but it could make more than the 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.The camouflaged vehicles give us a clue at what the new Pajero will look like, with big blocky styling similar to the new Nissan Patrol. There appears to be a large grille with vertical tiered headlights and bonnet bulges.There is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, which could be added later or it is likely located beneath the vehicle.

The all-new Mitsubishi Pajero hasn't even arrived yet, and already competition in the off-road space is heating up, with Nissan at last confirming an SUV version of the Frontier Pro SUV that will put a target on the back of 4WDs in Australia.The question is, is the Nissan product about to beat Mitsubishi at its own game?Mitsubishi largely pioneered plug-in hybrid technology in Australia, but the brand has previously ruled out adapting the technology for its diesel engines. Instead, all reports point to the incoming Pajero – which is expected to use the Triton as its base – using the powertrain from the brand's ute.That means 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic, though some reports point to a plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain also being under development. Nissan, though, is set to abandon diesel, with the ute version of the Frontier Pro adopting a plug-in hybrid powertrain that would make the SUV version among the most powerful vehicles in its class.Its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor produce up to 320kW and 800Nm combined.The concept version of the SUV is to be revealed at the Beijing Auto Show, seemingly answering the question of what our market might receive in answer to the US-built (and V6-powered) Xterra.Built in partnership with Dongfeng, the SUV is reportedly built on what the group calls its Star Core platform, which can be paired with ICE, hybrid and EV powertrain options.The Frontier Pro looks set to soon be locked in for our market, with the reports pointing to an early 2027 launch date. If so, that would make the SUV version – which is being developed for export markets – a sure starter for Australia, too.Will diesel or plug-in power win the battle between Nissan and the new Pajero? Only time will tell.

Mitsubishi has confirmed its new flagship large SUV, which will likely be called Pajero, will be in Australian showrooms by the end of 2026.Mitsubishi Australia General Manager Product Strategy and Product Public Relations Bruce Hampel said the company will be able to provide more information regarding this car around the middle to third quarter of 2026, which is understood to be when it’ll be revealed globally.“We have vehicles in Australia at the moment,” said Hampel, noting that CarsGuide was one of the first to spy camouflaged prototypes on public roads late last year.“So we have them conducting validation testing in various locations around Australia. And again, that’s another proof point of the importance of Australian market to the MMC company that they’re coming out here and they’re evaluating the vehicle in our environment and conditions.“With the product though, we’re at the mercy of the global reveal for the program. We are one market of many for this very important product for Mitsubishi.”Hampel notes that an Australian global reveal of this new flagship SUV was under consideration at some point, however it will happen in Japan.“It’s a very important product for the Japanese market and that’s its pride and joy. So I think the final decision was to have the global launch in Japan,” said Hampel.As previously reported, it’s understood this new Pajero Sport successor will be dropping the Sport suffix altogether, therefore reviving the original Pajero nameplate for the first time since it was retired in 2021.Speculation indicates the new Pajero will be based on the underpinnings of the current Triton ute, likely meaning it’ll also feature a version of its 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine.In terms of styling, previous prototypes have shown it’ll have a big, boxy and bluff silhouette. From some angles it even looks like the Nissan Patrol Y63.Although we haven’t seen the design in full yet, it’s expected to feature a large grille, headlights that cascade down the front fascia, plus prominent bonnet bulges.At the rear there is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, likely meaning it’ll be mounted under the vehicle.The interior design is yet to be revealed though it will likely share a lot with the Triton. Five- and seven-seat configurations are likely.

Mitsubishi has finally confirmed timing and critical details surrounding the new Pajero, locking in a true off-road 4WD that will launch before the end of the year.The brand had only so far confirmed a new large SUV was coming, leaving plenty of guess work to be done as to whether it would be a monocoque road-focused vehicle, or a true rival to vehicles like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol – not to mention newcomers like the Denza B5 and B8.But now we know the latter is the case, with Mitsubishi's president, Keisuke Kishiura, confirming that 4WD capability will be at the heart of the Pajero's development. And in more good news, the brand's most senior executive also locked in a 2026 launch for the new 4WD.Camouflaged examples of the new model have already been photographed in Australia.The executive specifically called out the off-road prowess of the old Pajero to US outlet Automotive News, saying "the Pajero is a cross-country SUV that combines fully-fledged off-road capability with the ease of handling and comfort of a passenger car", before adding:“We plan to launch the new cross-country SUV within the year.”Whether or not that also confirms the new model will be called the Pajero – which we believe it will be – we'll leave up to you, but it certainly locks in the off-road prowess, and fuels reports the model will be built using the Mitsubishi Triton's ladder-frame chassis.If it gets the Triton's underpinnings, expect the Pajero to use a version of the ute's 150kW and 470Nm 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. “For me, the Pajero is an object of admiration,” Mr Kishiura 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 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series is preparing for an all in brawl.The big, bad and brawny SUV is king off the road, but it is about to have a lot of new competitors that’ll bring luxe interiors, potent performance wearing new and iconic names.One new entrant has already landed in showrooms while two more big names are expected in the next two years.Here are the biggest challengers lining up to take on Australia’s default big 4WD.The LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol have been in a Rocky and Apollo Creed-style slugfest for decades.Now a new version of the Patrol, dubbed Y63, has been revealed and is due in Australia towards the end of next year.The bruising off-roader switches out its V8 engine for a potent 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which makes 317kW and 700Nm.Those outputs trump the LandCruiser’s 3.3-litre diesel twin-turbo motor that pumps out 227kW and 700Nm.Nissan has also assured us it will be 24 per cent more efficient than the outgoing V8, which puts its usage about 11L/100km that will ease some of the pain at the bowser.It'll be swimming in new tech and have proper off-road ability.The return of the Pajero completes the big three of Japanese 4WDs, which dominated Australian regions for so long.The new Pajero hasn’t been confirmed yet by Mitsubishi but big blocky 4WD test vehicles have been spotted around the world, including in western Victoria by CarsGuide.The new vehicle will replace the now defunct Pajero Sport off-roader, and it is believed it'll drop the Sport name and be simply called Pajero.There are still a lot of unknowns, but it is believed to be based on the current Triton ute, which means a rugged ladder frame and diesel grunt.Expect it to use a version of 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine, but it could make more than the 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.The door has been left open for the new Pajero to use an SUV-like monocoque platform like the Pajero’s of old, but it is more likely to be based on the Triton.It is expected to be revealed this year with Australian sales to follow not long after.This one delivers the biggest curveball to the big three Japanese 4WDs.Denza, which is a sub-brand of BYD, has just launched the B8 and slightly smaller B5 off-roaders in Australia.Denza Australia’s COO Mark Harland told CarsGuide people are trading in a range of vehicles including LandCruisers and Prados as they switch to the new Chinese entrant.The B8 has a lot going for it.It uses a plug-in hybrid set-up that combines a turbo-petrol 2.0-litre engine with twin electric motors for a total 425kW and 760Nm.Denza claims that is good enough to propel it from a standstill to 100km in 4.8 seconds. It is fitted with a circa-37kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery, which delivers a claimed EV-only driving range of 100km.It is also cheaper than the LandCruiser, starting at $91,000, before on-road costs.The B8 has a braked trailer towing capacity of 3500kg and a wading depth of 890mm. The base seven-seat version only gets a rear diff lock, while the more expensive six-seater variant features a front and rear diff lock set-up. Wading depth is 890mm.

The Mitsubishi Pajero is soon coming back and it will have plenty of stiff competition to go up against.The Japanese carmaker is set to reveal the new-generation Pajero at some point during 2026 and it will likely make its way to Australia shortly after.Mitsubishi has officially teased this new “cross-country” SUV and we’ve already spied prototypes being tested here in Australia so it’s clear the reveal is imminent.As previously speculated, it’s understood this new Mitsubishi SUV will be called just the Pajero, dropping the Sport suffix altogether.This will see the iconic and original Pajero nameplate revived for the first time since it was retired in 2021.What platform will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero use?There is still a lot of speculation regarding what the new Pajero will be based on. The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, however the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton ute.Previous reports have stipulated the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton, which launched locally in 2024. This is a massive change in formula and means it will be body-on-frame.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, but later versions from the 2000s onwards were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.What engine will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero use?Given the Triton bones, it’s expected the new-gen Pajero will likely share a version of the 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. It produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.It’ll likely also receive Mitsubishi’s latest version of its Super-Select four-wheel-drive system which allows for full-time four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces.Locally the Triton is only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, however the outgoing Pajero Sport was offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s unclear if Mitsubishi will offer this new-generation Pajero with a similar eight-speed automatic transmission.What will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero look like?In terms of styling, previous prototypes have shown it’ll have a big, boxy and bluff silhouette. From some angles it even looks like the Nissan Patrol Y63.Although we haven’t seen the design in full yet, it’s expected design cues like a large grille, headlights that cascade down the front fascia, plus bonnet bulges will feature.At the rear there is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, likely meaning it’ll be mounted under the vehicle.The interior design is yet to be revealed though it will likely share a lot with the Triton. Five- and seven-seat configurations are likely.When will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero go on sale?This new Mitsubishi large SUV can’t come soon enough as the Japanese carmaker axed a number of models, including the Pajero Sport, in 2025 as they didn't meet new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standards which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.As a result Mitsubishi’s largest SUV is currently the mid-sized Outlander, which is also its best-seller by far. Certain trims are available in seven-seat form.

Mitsubishi’s new Toyota Prado rival is getting closer to its reveal.In the meantime Japanese publication Best Car Web has shown off new digital renders of what the forthcoming 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero will look like in production guise.They show a blocky and bluff large SUV, which appears to be off-road-capable and also draws some inspiration from the latest Nissan Patrol Y63, especially at the rear.At the front there is a large grille with headlights that cascade down the fascia, plus the bonnet has bulges helping to indicate its toughness.Around the side it’s fairly slab-sided, with one design flourish being the character lines on the C-pillar.The rear is virtually vertical and features tail-lights that have a similar design motif to the headlights. Notably the renders don’t show a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, indicating that Mitsubishi isn’t planning on offering this.While Best Car Web has published these new digital renders of the Pajero, a camouflaged prototype has already been spied numerous times on Australian roads.Mitsubishi has also included a camouflaged prototype in an official teaser video, confirming the new “cross-country” SUV will be revealed this year.As previously reported, it’s understood this new SUV will be called just the Pajero, dropping the Sport suffix altogether.This could see the iconic and original Pajero nameplate being revived for the first time since it was retired in 2021.There is still a lot of speculation surrounding what this new SUV is based on. The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, however the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton ute.Previous reports have stipulated the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton ute, which launched locally in 2024. This means a body-on-frame is likely.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, but later versions from the 2000s onward were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.If this new-generation Pajero is based on the Triton, this likely means it will share a version of its 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. It produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.It’ll likely also receive Mitsubishi’s latest version of its Super-Select four-wheel drive system which allows for full-time four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces.Locally the Triton is only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, however the outgoing Pajero Sport was offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s unclear if Mitsubishi will offer this new-generation Pajero with a similar eight-speed automatic transmission.This new Mitsubishi large SUV can’t come soon enough as the Japanese carmaker axed a considerable portion of its line-up, including the Pajero Sport, earlier this year due to them not meeting new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standards which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.As a result Mitsubishi’s largest SUV is currently the mid-sized Outlander, which is also its best-seller by far. Certain trims can be had in seven-seat form.

The incoming Mitsubishi Pajero could be as cheap as a diesel dual-cab ute, according to new reports that suggest the reborn icon will seriously undercut its Japanese competition in the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser.

What could soon be Australia's toughest 4WD SUV has been spotted testing in Victoria, with the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero captured from every angle by one eagle-eyed fan.It means the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol – not to mention the Denza B5 and B8 – will soon have some serious competition to contend with, the new Patrol expected to launch globally in December 2026.That means the Australian launch will likely occur in early 2027, giving Mitsubishi a serious player in the towing and off-road space.These latest images – captured by Facebook user David Breedon – show a 4WD registered to Mitsubishi wearing heavy camouflage and testing in Victoria with Victorian plates. Keen to protect the secrecy of its newest vehicle, Mitsubishi staff covered the SUV with a car cover once photos began being taken, but not before several images captured the Pajero in all of its camouflaged glory.The Pajero was previously photographed, by CarsGuide's very own Jack Quick, in Beaufort, Victoria, about two hours west of Melbourne.Australia is a popular hot-weather testing ground for auto manufacturers, but it's also possible, given the vehicle's importance in our market, it is here for local testing and tuning.These images tie in with official announcements and teasers from Mitsubishi that a new "cross-country" SUV will launch this year, followed by a teaser video of a shadowy 4WD driving.The brand is yet to confirm details of the new model, but international reporting points to it borrowing the Mitsubishi Triton's ladder-frame platform. It might also score the ute's 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic, though some reports point to a plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain also being under development. All should become clear soon enough, with the Mitsubishi Pajero almost certain to go into production in December this year.

Mitsubishi's tough new 4WD icon will arrive this year.The new Mitsubishi Pajero will be released towards the end of 2026, according to Japanese outlet Best Car. Mitsubishi Motors president Takao Kato made the announcement at the Tokyo Auto Salon this year.“We will launch a new cross-county SUV in 2026,” Kato said. It has not been confirmed what will underpin this new Pajero, but it is rumoured to be based on the current Triton ute from Mitsubishi.This means it would get a ladder frame chassis, which would give it riugged off-road ability but poorer on-road driving dynamics.The fact Kato said it would be a "cross-country SUV" could mean it would follow in the footsteps of past Pajeroes and use an SUV-like monocoque structure. Land Rover's Defender uses the same setup.Mitsubishi Australia’s GM Product Strategy & Product PR Bruce Hampel told CarsGuide late last year both underpinnings have their pros and cons.“The old Pajero was a monocoque as well, right? So people don't even really think of that nowadays. It was just the Pajero, this durable off-road vehicle. So what are they expecting? Are they expecting another monocoque from us, or is it a body on frame?," he asked.“I think Land Rover has done a lot to prove that it can be achieved with a monocoque. And I guess with a monocoque you get the improvements in terms of the on-road handling, the lack of… body-on-frame shake, without really causing too many limitations off road.“But it's a very expensive car to engineer and develop. Watch this space, which path we head.”The off-road pedigree of the Pajero sees the car shape up as a rugged rival to Toyota’s LandCruiser and the Nissan Patrol. Speculation around a new Pajero has been growing in the past year.It looks like if the new off-roader comes to Australia, it will just be called the ‘Pajero’ and drop the ‘Pajero Sport’ name of the outgoing model.Earlier this month, the brand teased its new Pajero in a video to celebrate its Ralliart pedigree.The video ended with footage of the 2007 Mitsubishi Pajero Evo Dakar Rally vehicle, followed by a shadowy clip of what looks likely to be the new Pajero.CarsGuide spotted the incoming Pajero in camouflage in Western Victoria just before Christmas, likely being tested ahead of a potential local arrival.Production on the last Pajero ceased in 2021, where it was replaced by the Pajero Sport in Australia.The Pajero Sport was axed from Mitsubishi's Australian line-up in 2025, after it failed to meet new Australian Design Rules.Mitsubishi Australia at the time said a replacement would head our way in the future, but was not sure it would be called the Pajero Sport. This lends support to the fact the new off-roader will be called Pajero.