Mitsubishi Global will debut its fifth-generation Pajero large off-road SUV this year, according to a recent report out of Japan.
Speaking at Tokyo Auto Salon 2026, Mitsubishi President Takao Kato triumphantly announced “We will launch a new cross-country SUV in 2026!”, according to BestCar.
The publication went on to state that the Pajero would launch into the Japanese market towards the end of 2026.
Australia’s launch timing is likely to be very similar- if not earlier – to that of Japan, with executives from Mitsubishi’s local arm previously expressing eagerness to debut a new Pajero to serve as a new hero model.
Recently revealed spy pictures of a Mitsubishi large SUV driving on Australian roads gives merit to this claim – when checking that car’s licence plate, it would appear that Mitsubishi has been locally testing a Pajero-like vehicle for as long as ten months.
Teasers and spy pics hint the 2026 Pajero is not far away
The news follows a teaser video posted by Mitsubishi, which previews the appearance of a large off-road SUV starkly similar to speculative renders visualised by @Theottle.
Pictured: Speculative render of the fifth-generation Pajero’s appearance
Pictured: What could well be the next generation of Pajero, teased by Mitsubishi Japan
The high roofline and conventional proportions of the unknown car are indicative to those of a production-ready vehicle, rather than those of the recently revealed Mitsubishi Elevance plug-in hybrid SUV.
The teased vehicle also appears to be the same as a camouflaged Mitsubishi test car recently seen driving on Australian roads. That vehicle is similar in size and proportion to the GWM Tank 500.
A return of the Mitsubishi Pajero could see the Three Diamond brand finally have an answer to Toyota’s hugely successful Land Cruiser and Prado, as well as Nissan’s soon-to-be-updated Y62 Patrol.
Triton to underpin the new Pajero
BestCar reports that much like the Pajero Sport – which was pulled from the Australian market in March last year – the fifth generation Pajero will be based on the Triton dual-cab ute platform, sharing its ladder chassis, 150kW / 470Nm 2.4-litre turbo-diesel ‘four, and parts of its four-wheel drive system.
Pictured: Speculative render of the fifth-generation Pajero’s appearance
But unlike the Pajero Sport, which made use of an eight-speed automatic transmission, the fifth generation Pajero will reportedly share the Triton’s six-speed conventional automatic.
Reports from Bestcar and Carscoops additionally suggest that the Pajero will be “ready for electrification”, with dedicated space within the chassis for a hybrid drivetrain.
We expect this drivetrain will be largely influenced – if not entirely based upon – the recently updated Outlander plug-in hybrid system, which blends a 2.4-litre petrol four cylinder, dual electric motors, and a 22.7kWh battery to produce an EV driving range of 86km (WLTP) and claimed combined fuel consumption of 1.5L/100km.
Pictured: Mitsubishi Elevance plug-in hybrid concept car
We expect the Pajero to measure-up a touch larger than the Triton’s 5320mm length, 1930mm width, and 1795mm height, while sharing its 3130mm wheelbase.
Pricing should align with the likes of the LandCruiser Prado, while remaining a step above middle-spec Outlander models, and at a high premium to most Triton variants.
