Mitsubishi Pajero 2027: iconic nameplate returns on a flagship body-on-frame SUV hunting for Prado and Everest

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The Toyota Prado and Ford Everest better watch their tails because Mitsubishi will reintroduce a flagship Pajero to its line-up in December – this time in direct competition with these premium body-on-frame, off-road capable SUV wagons, rather than occupying the lower-grade territory of the outgoing Pajero Sport (and now-defunct Toyota Fortuner).

Offered in three trim levels from launch, the fifth-generation Pajero 4WD starts at $68,490 (before on-road costs) for the five-seat GLS, followed by a seven-seat GLS for $1500 more ($69,990), the seven-seat Exceed at $79,990, and a seven-seat GSR at $84,990. An entry-level GLX is expected to be introduced at a later date.

Note: Detailed specifications are outlined below; images shown are of the overseas Pajero model.

2027 Pajero returns to ladder-frame construction

Derived from the Triton ute but with extensive refinements to make it quieter and more sophisticated, the fifth-generation, body-on-frame Pajero swaps out the Triton’s leaf-sprung live rear axle for a coil-sprung, five-link arrangement – much like the Toyota and Ford do when adapting Hilux/Ranger underpinnings to suit a jack-of-all-trades wagon application.

Mitsubishi says the new Pajero’s frame is significantly stiffer than a Pajero Sport’s, supported by wider tracks, upgraded dampers/anti-roll bars and electric power steering to hopefully elevate new Pajero’s dynamics well beyond the outgoing Pajero Sport’s agricultural ropiness.

Given the last big-daddy Pajero – a cutting-edge monocoque design introduced in 1999, lightly reskinned in 2006 and discontinued in 2021 – was really impressive to drive right to the end of its life, Mitsubishi’s aim is to revive that degree of dynamic excellence in the new Pajero, befitting its status as the brand’s flagship vehicle.

The Australian-market Pajero will feature a global suspension tune from launch – not a locally developed set-up by Premcar like the recent MY26 upgrade introduced to Triton.

Triton’s diesel engine drops a turn, adds torque

While the engine is derived from the Triton’s 2.4-litre ‘4N16’ turbo-diesel four-cylinder, the Pajero version has been refined to improve driveability, response and efficiency, while meeting a stricter Euro 6d emissions standard via the adoption of AdBlue exhaust treatment.

Featuring a “latest-generation” variable-geometry single turbocharger rather than the Triton’s twin-turbo set-up, as well as a water-cooled intercooler, the Pajero’s upgraded donk punches out the same 150kW as the Triton but bolsters torque slightly to 480Nm.

Pajero also gets an eight-speed automatic transmission (instead of Triton’s six-speed), just like the outgoing Pajero Sport, which Mitsubishi says offers a broader ratio spread as well as a weight reduction. It has been calibrated to deliver smooth gearshifts combined with smooth constant-throttle driving and incorporates a rev-matching facility to smooth downshifts.

Every new Pajero features Mitsubishi’s well-liked ‘Super Select II’ shift-on-the-fly 4WD system, as well as ‘Super All-Wheel Control’ and ‘Active Yaw Control’ chassis electronics, plus a low-range transfer case and a rear diff lock. Seven drive modes cover Eco, Normal, Gravel, Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock configurations.

New Pajero debuts new styling

As for the styling, it’s vastly more elegant and classy than the overwrought Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi’s catchphrase for the new look is “Grand Charisma” which is intended to imply premium craftsmanship and quality, as well as solidity.

Lighting is all LED, with the front-end’s T-shaped lighting signature further enhanced in the range-topping GSR via an animation when unlocking that is meant to evoke the vehicle coming to life.

While the overall design aesthetic exudes contemporary restraint, Mitsubishi says the ‘roll-bar’ C-pillar treatment is designed to pay homage to the original 1982-91 Pajero three-door’s B-pillar, though the connection is tenuous.

Eight colours will be offered – solid White, White Diamond, Black Mica pearl (GLS only), Black Diamond (Exceed/GSR only), Blade Silver metallic (GLS/Exceed only), Graphite Grey metallic, Armour Copper (Exceed/GSR only) and Phantom Blue – with the GSR also featuring a black roof.

Inside, the exterior’s horizontal flavour continues, along with rally-inspired seat bolstering, electric lumbar support on all variants, and a sliding second-row seat with a 150mm range. Mitsubishi says the upright A-pillars deliver “class-leading headroom”, while the boot offers 519 litres of luggage space with the third row folded, plus another 10 litres beneath the floor.

To lift the new Pajero’s perceived quality, the cabins of flagship variants feature soft-touch leather surfaces, exposed stitching and stitched detailing on the dashboard and door trims – and no faux-leather cheapness for the seat upholstery.

What does each Pajero grade get for the cash?

The GLS gets black cloth with grey stitching while the Exceed gets black leather with beige stitching and the GSR gets two-tone leather in black and camel, with camel-colour stitching.

Mitsubishi expects the new-generation Pajero to reach Australian showrooms in December 2026 and will provide a comprehensive outline of its Australian-developed accessories prior to launch.

It says over 3000 pre-registrations have already been received from Australian punters, despite no official imagery, tech details or pricing having been revealed – until now.

Standard equipment on the Pajero GLS 5-seat and 7-seat includes:

• 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine
• 150kW / 480Nm outputs
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• ‘Super Select II’ 4WD system with low-range
• Centre and rear differential locks
• 80-litre fuel tank + 17-litre AdBlue tank
• 18-inch dark grey alloy wheels
• 255/65R18 111H tyres
• LED front and rear headlamps and LED foglamps
• LED daytime running lamps
• Body-coloured mirrors, door handles and tailgate spoiler
• Grey side steps
• Black roof rails
• Black wheelarch mouldings
• Keyless entry/start + approach auto unlock
• Heated steering wheel + paddle shifters
• Black fabric trim with grey stitching
• Manual height-adjustable front seats
• Electric front lumbar adjustment
• Front dual-zone climate control
• Rear-seat climate control
• Floor carpet
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Front seatback map pockets, phone holders and utility socket
• Second-row 60/40 split-fold, slide-and-recline seat with centre armrest
• Third-row 50/50 split-fold seat
• Rear privacy glass
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s cluster
• 12.3-inch centre touchscreen
• Wireless phone charger
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Digital radio
• 6-speaker audio
• 2 x front USB-C ports + 12V outlet
• 4 x rear USB-C ports (two per row)
• Rear 220V AC power outlet
• Cargo 12V outlet
• Electric tailgate
• Tyre-pressure monitoring
• 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity
• 300kg static roof-load capacity (100kg dynamic)

Additional equipment on the Pajero Exceed 7-seat includes:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• 255/55R20 107V tyres
• Black leather trim with beige stitching
• Heated electric front seats
• Heated outboard 2^nd-row seats
• Second-row door sunshades
• Refrigerated console box
• 14.3-inch digital driver’s cluster
• 14.3-inch centre touchscreen
• Yamaha ‘Dynamic Sound Ultimate’ sound system
• 12 speakers including amplifier and subwoofer

Additional equipment on the Pajero GSR 7-seat includes:

• 20-inch black alloy wheels
• Panoramic glass roof with sunroof
• Front grille LED lamp
• Adaptive headlights
• Front and rear lamp animation
• Dark bumper colouring
• Black roof colour
• Dark Grey side steps
• Black mirrors and wheelarch mouldings
• Illuminated front scuff plates
• Two-tone black and camel leather trim with camel stitching
• Front seat ventilation and memory function
• Electric steering-column adjustment
• Steering wheel and mirror memory function
• Black headlining
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Panoramic front sunvisors with LED lamps
• Nanoe-X air purifier

Standard safety equipment on all Pajero variants includes:

• Driver and front passenger front and side airbags
• Front centre airbag
• Driver’s knee airbag
• Curtain airbags for front and second rows
• Curtain airbags for third row (7-seat only)
• 3 x second-row child-seat top-tether points, plus ISO-FIX
• Adaptive cruise control with lane-keep assist
• Leading vehicle departure warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Intelligent speed limiter
• Post-collision braking system
• Emergency call system
• Front autonomous braking (AEB) with pedestrian/cyclist detection
• Rear autonomous braking (AEB)
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention alert
• Blind-spot warning
• Lane-change assist
• Emergency lane assist
• Lane-departure warning
• Lane-departure prevention
• Emergency assist for pedal misapplication
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Surround-view monitor
• Bonnet see-through camera
• Auto high-beam function
• Trailer stability assist
• Hill-start assist

Mitsubishi Pajero 2027: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• Pajero GLS 5-seat – $68,490
• Pajero GLS 7-seat – $69,990
• Pajero Exceed 7-seat – $79,990
• Pajero GSR 7-seat – $84,990