Mitsubishi Revives Pajero, New Flagship SUV Targets 100 Countries

The all-new Pajero returns with a diesel engine, ladder-frame chassis and seven drive modes as Mitsubishi Motors seeks to strengthen its global presence.

TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors has officially brought back one of its most iconic nameplates, unveiling the all-new Pajero on September 2, 2026, as a new-generation flagship cross-country SUV.

The revival marks a major step in Mitsubishi’s strategy to strengthen its brand and expand its presence in international markets. The company plans to introduce the new Pajero in approximately 100 countries from fiscal 2027, following its initial rollout in Thailand, Japan and Australia during fiscal 2026. Production will be based in Thailand.

Mitsubishi discontinued the Pajero after decades of production, but the model remained closely associated with the company’s reputation for rugged four-wheel-drive performance. The first-generation Pajero was launched in 1982 and was developed to combine serious off-road capability with passenger-car comfort.

Its motorsport credentials further cemented the nameplate’s reputation. The Pajero entered the Dakar Rally in 1983 and went on to record 12 overall victories, including seven consecutive wins, according to Mitsubishi Motors.

Across four generations, global production of the Pajero exceeded 3.29 million units, with the model becoming established in more than 170 countries and regions.

Mitsubishi is positioning the new model not simply as a revival of a historic nameplate, but as the company’s flagship SUV and a major component of its future growth strategy.

“The all-new Pajero is the first model to bring this vision to life. As our flagship model, it will lead not only the Pajero series to follow, but the entire Mitsubishi Motors lineup,” Mitsubishi Motors President and Chief Operating Officer Keisuke Kishiura said in the company’s official announcement.

He added that the vehicle had been developed as a premium cross-country SUV capable of providing confidence in a wide range of driving conditions, with Mitsubishi planning a phased global rollout.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to launch the Pajero in around 100 countries. PHOTO: MITSUBISHI MOTORS

Under the hood, the new Pajero is equipped with a specially developed 2.4-liter clean-diesel engine producing maximum torque of up to 480 Nm, paired with a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission. Mitsubishi says the powertrain is designed to deliver strong acceleration while maintaining refinement and quietness both on paved roads and off-road terrain.

The SUV also returns to the rugged mechanical formula that helped define the Pajero name. It uses a highly rigid ladder-frame chassis, combined with a double-wishbone front suspension and a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle.

For four-wheel-drive performance, the Pajero employs Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II) system alongside Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC). The combination is intended to provide greater stability and traction across different surfaces.

Drivers can select from seven driving modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock, allowing the vehicle’s characteristics to be adapted to different road and terrain conditions.

The new Pajero measures 4,920 millimeters in length, 1,925 mm in width and 1,910 mm in height, with a 2,870-mm wheelbase. Ground clearance reaches 230 mm, while Mitsubishi lists a 30.4-degree approach angle, 22.6-degree ramp breakover angle and 25.8-degree departure angle for specified versions.

Despite its off-road focus, Mitsubishi has also emphasized passenger comfort. The new Pajero features a three-row, seven-seat cabin, three-zone automatic climate control and ventilation for the seats. The second row can slide by 150 mm to improve passenger access and cabin flexibility.

Inside, Mitsubishi has incorporated several design references to previous Pajero generations. One of the most distinctive is the modern interpretation of the traditional triple-gauge cluster, now presented as a Multi-Meter integrated into the vehicle’s digital display system.

The cabin also features a large horizontal display, with two screens measuring up to 14.3 inches depending on specification. The Multi-Meter can display information including altitude, compass direction, temperature, vehicle pitch and roll angles, and other off-road driving data.

Safety technology has also been significantly upgraded. The new Pajero comes with systems including Forward Collision Mitigation, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Lane Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert and Mitsubishi’s MI-PILOT highway driving assistance system. It is also equipped with eight airbags, including a center airbag for the front occupants.

Mitsubishi is betting that the Pajero name can once again become a major contributor to its sales ambitions. The company expects the revived model to play a key role in its medium-term business strategy through fiscal 2029 and support its objective of increasing domestic sales by about 50 percent from fiscal 2024 levels to approximately 180,000 vehicles by fiscal 2030.

The company also confirmed that the Pajero comeback will not stop with the flagship model. Two smaller Pajero variants are planned for future introduction, potentially allowing Mitsubishi to extend the revived nameplate into additional segments.

For now, Mitsubishi has not announced the new Pajero’s price. The vehicle will initially enter the Thai market before expanding to Japan and Australia, with broader international availability planned from fiscal 2027.

The comeback therefore represents more than the return of a legendary SUV. For Mitsubishi Motors, the new Pajero is being positioned as a test of whether a name forged through rally success and decades of off-road credibility can once again become a global growth engine.

Yunio