All-new Mitsubishi Pajero can tow 3500kg

Mitsubishi has taken the wraps off the all-new Pajero, reviving one of the most storied nameplates in recreational off-road history as a bold, seven-seat 4x4 flagship built to go almost anywhere – from the school run to the scrub.

Twenty years after the previous-generation model bobbed up and five years after it was axed Down Under, the resurrected Pajero has been revealed in Japan under the ‘Grand Charisma’ design theme and will be on sale here from late 2026.

Built in Thailand, the reborn Pajero pairs muscular, head-turning styling with an upmarket interior and hardcore bush-bashing mechanicals, as Mitsubishi looks to re-establish the badge at the very top of its range.

We can confirm the new Pajero is powered by an updated version of the Triton ute’s 2.4-litre turbo-diesel delivering 150kW/480Nm, slightly more torque.

It drives all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic and integrates with Mitsubishi's Super Select II 4x4 system, riding on a custom ladder frame with a rear diff lock, low-range gearing and a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity all baked in.

But let’s start with the way it looks – because even in photos, the new Pajero has plenty of presence. It’s purposeful and proud, with a squared-off, upright silhouette that harks back to Pajeros of old while looking thoroughly modern.

This is a car that will turn heads in the supermarket car park.

Designers describe a face inspired by a kendo mask (think Japanese fencing with bamboo swords), framed by advanced animated LED lighting, a sculpted ‘Dakar’ bonnet, pumped-out wheel arches and a blacked-out A-pillar with a solid C-pillar nodding to the original’s roll-bar profile.

There are two grille treatments across the range, and – in a break from tradition – no spare wheel hanging off the tailgate, tucked instead beneath the body for a cleaner rear end.

Mitsubishi sums up the look as ‘majestic poise from every angle’. We’re not sure about the majestic part, but it does have poise.

Climb inside and the theme continues, paying homage the first Pajero launched in 1983, the brand saying the honest simplicity of the original model inspired the interior motif.

It’s a neat blend of rugged and refined Mitsubishi is talking up the new Pajero’s more upmarket vibe – it’s apparently very quiet. We’ll be driving it soon so stay tuned for our first thoughts.

It features extensive sound absorption and insulation plus acoustic glass for the windscreen and front and rear side windows. The wheels are better isolated around the wheel wells, so this new-generation model could be noticeably hushed and more grown-up than what came before.

There’s a premium edge to the materials especially in the top-spec models revealed in Japan, with semi-aniline leather and craftsmanship techniques Mitsubishi says are rarely seen in this class – an “extra step” for a more upmarket experience.

Flagship versions in particular look set to be loaded with all the fruit: expect twin 14.3-inch displays with a ‘live’ background that shifts with the time of day, a retro-flavoured triple-gauge cluster complete with altimeter and pitch-and-roll dials, three-zone climate control, heated rear seats, a large panoramic sunroof and a 12-speaker Yamaha Ultimate audio system co-developed with the famous instrument maker.

Mitsubishi is quick to point out the tech is there to help and engage rather than show off.

Practicality hasn’t been forgotten either. Ingress and egress to the third row has been improved, and clever packaging – including that relocated spare – helps free up space for occupants.

Benchmarks, tellingly, included premium off-roaders like the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and even challenger brands from China, with Mitsubishi chasing ride comfort, quality and outright ‘premiumness’.

Motivation comes from a new-generation ‘4N16’ 2.4-litre turbo-diesel producing 150kW and 480Nm, fitted with a variable-geometry turbocharger, water-cooled intercooler and dual-loop EGR.

With AdBlue and an auto stop-start system on board, it becomes the first Mitsubishi engine to meet Euro 6d emissions standards. Drive goes through an updated eight-speed automatic with a wider ratio spread and engine ‘blipping’ on downshifts for smoother gearchanges.

Off-road, the Pajero leans on Mitsubishi’s benchmark Super Select II 4x4 system – with 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc modes – backed by Super-All Wheel Control and Active Yaw Control across seven drive modes: Eco, Normal, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.

A low-range transfer case and a rear differential lock are part of the package, and it’s rated to tow a hefty 3.5 tonnes braked.

And the numbers back up the bush-bashing intent. Mitsubishi quotes 230mm of ground clearance, a 30.4-degree approach angle, 22.6-degree breakover and a 25.8-degree departure angle – proper off-road geometry.

There's clever tech to match the hardware, too. A 3D Multi Around Monitor stitches images from four cameras onto a 3D model of the car, refreshing at around 30 frames a second to give you a real-time view of what's around you – handy for threading through tight car parks and picking a line on the trail alike.

Better still is a front under-floor view that effectively makes the bonnet disappear, showing the rocks and ruts hiding beneath the nose. It pops up automatically in 4HLc or 4LLc, or you can call it up manually if things suddenly get gnarly.

Underpinning it all is a custom-developed ladder frame, with Mitsubishi confirming only the front section and front floor are shared with the Triton ute – the rest has been renewed or re-engineered specifically for Pajero.

The car-maker chose a ladder frame over a monocoque for its added strength and durability in ‘tough’ conditions, pairing it with a front double-wishbone set-up and a five-link rigid rear axle with long-travel suspension for off-road comfort.

The result, Mitsubishi says, is that the new Pajero is stiffer, quieter and more capable than before.

The Pajero measures 4920mm from nose to tail, stretches 1925mm wide and stands up to 1910mm tall, with 2870mm between the axles.

That makes it a fraction more compact than the Toyota Prado in both length (4990mm) and width (1980mm), and a touch lower than the Toyota’s 1935mm roofline – yet the Mitsubishi’s wheelbase actually stretches 20mm further than the Prado’s 2850mm span.

In other words, it has the road presence and interior packaging buyers expect from a full-sized seven-seater, while shadowing the class benchmark it’s squarely targeting.

The range kicks off with the value-focused GLS, priced from $68,490 plus ORCs in five-seat form or $69,990 with seven seats. The luxury-leaning EXCEED steps up to $79,990, while the sporty GSR tops the line-up at $84,990 (all exclude ORCs).

That positioning is no accident. Toyota’s Prado – the Pajero’s most obvious rival – spans $73,200 to $100,620, so even the priciest GSR slips in well under the flagship Kakadu.

For family buyers cross-shopping the segment, the Mitsubishi undercuts the Prado at virtually every rung of the ladder.

Stay tuned for a first drive and, hopefully tow test later this year...