RAM 1500 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

What's the difference?

The 4x4 Ram 1500 has been Australia’s top-selling US pick-up truck for the past seven years, with arguably its most distinctive and desirable feature being a thumping 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine under the bonnet.

However, with the launch of Ram’s upgraded MY25 range, the popular 1500 has switched to a new ‘Hurricane’ engine featuring a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine, accompanied by the acronym ‘SST’ meaning ‘Straight Six Turbo.’

Available in two specifications - Standard Output (SO) and High Output (HO) - depending on model grade, both produce more power and torque than the V8 they replace.

The latest Ram 1500 range, comprising entry-level Laramie Sport and top-shelf Limited models, also brings upgraded styling, infotainment and convenience features, so we recently spent a week in the more work-focused Laramie Sport to assess its suitability for hard-working tradies.

The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GSR is the top-spec wagon in an updated line-up.

The next-gen performance-enhanced Pajero Sport is expected here in 2025 but, in the meantime, Mitsubishi looks determined to squeeze the last bit of sales juice out of the current line-up as the entire range has now undergone a notable refresh including the introduction of 18-inch alloys, design tweaks to the front and rear, as well as new styling inside and new exterior paint choices.

Is this upgraded Pajero Sport a noteworthy rival for the likes of the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X and, more importantly, does it represent a solid buy? 

Read on.