Mitsubishi Pajero 2026 News

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.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.

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 just teased its new Pajero large SUV as it draws closer to an official reveal.The brand has released a promotional video celebrating its rallying heritage, with clips of its previous success and its most recent triumph with the Triton ute. Towards the end of the video on the Mitsubishi YouTube channel, the new Pajero is featured driving along a road in dim lighting for roughly five seconds. While we get little more than a silhouette, the front light design matches up with a camouflaged version of the Pajero spied by CarsGuide in Australia late last year.  The video confirms a more boxy overall design on the new Pajero as spotted on the spy pictures of the pre-production test mule.It further reveals straighter window frames and a flat roofline as part of the design tweaks. It is expected Mitsubishi will drop the ‘Pajero Sport’ nameplate altogether to revive the ‘Pajero’ name, which was retired in 2021. It has been previously reported the new Pajero will be based on the new-generation Triton ute, supporting the increased likelihood of a body-on-frame chassis.This chassis set-up highlights the next Pajero's potential for rugged off-roading capabilities.The soon-to-be outgoing Pajero Sport battles in the hotly-contested large SUV segment, where it mustered more than 5500 sales in 2025 up to the end of November, which is a roughly 19 per cent drop on last year. It trails several of the big hitters in the segment such as the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X which combined for nearly 30,000 sales in 2025. The new Pajero is likely to form part of the brand’s Momentum 2030 plan, which will see a comprehensive revamp of the Mitsubishi range over the next five years. It will focus on developing new energy cars such as those with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains.It is unclear when we may see the speculated Pajero in full form, but this latest teaser from the brand indicates it's edging closer to the showroom.Regardless, it is unlikely we will see the Pajero back in Australia before 2027. 

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Mitsubishi’s upcoming Pajero Sport successor has been unveiled, well in a way.Japanese Publication Best Car Web has published new digital renders of the so-called Pajero without any camouflage based on a prototype vehicle seen testing earlier this year in Europe.The images are similar to CarsGuide’s own renders produced by Thanos Pappas earlier this year. They depict a large angular and boxy SUV with a very upright and broad nose, as well as a horizontal-slat grille, tall bonnet, set-back cabin and a high flat roofline, leading to a squared-off tailgate.As previously detailed, Mitsubishi may shelve the Pajero Sport badge and bring back the iconic and original Pajero name. Earlier this year Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide that with the previous-generation Pajero Sport - plus the ASX and Eclipse Cross SUVs - being retired due to not meeting Australian Design Rules (ADRs) there would be a replacement but wouldn’t say what it would be called."These nameplates will be replaced by equivalent — if you want to call it that — vehicles in the coming years," said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of Product Strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel.Best Car Web claims the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton which launched locally in 2024. This means a body-on-frame chassis is likely, like the outgoing Pajero Sport.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, however, later versions from the 2000s onward were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.If the Pajero does make a full comeback it will have its work cut out for itself because its old rival, the Prado, is only recently starting its new generation and offered with a turbo-diesel mild-hybrid powertrain locally and a hybrid powertrain in other markets.Mitsubishi’s best selling vehicle is the Outlander mid-sized SUV with 15,043 sales so far this year. The current Pajero Sport despite being on the way out is still selling well with 3758 sold until the end of August.