Everybody in Scandinavia knows the Pajero, wich has been one of the most popular cars in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Now, the icon is back in Japan as a real off-roader with 7-seats – but we won’t see it in Europe.
The new Pajero debuts in Japan as the brand’s flagship SUV, built on a pickup derived platform with seven seats and serious 4WD hardware. Following its initial launch in Thailand, it is set to arrive in Japan and Australia during fiscal year 2026, with sales expected to expand to around 100 markets from 2027, including parts of ASEAN, Latin America and the Middle East. No timeline has been announced for a European launch.
A name with more than four decades of history
First introduced in 1982 and built in more than 3.29 million units across four generations, the Pajero returns with a formula aimed at balancing off-road capability, comfort and a stronger focus on quality. Mitsubishi frames the new model around three concepts: Confidence, Comfort and Prestige.
Exterior design nods to the original
The new Pajero keeps the tall, robust proportions and horizontal lines that recall the first generation model. The front end features a grille available in two configurations, along with T-shaped light signatures. Several body details also reference the past: the rear pillar echoes the roll bar of the first series, while a hexagonal motif at the rear reinterprets the externally mounted spare wheel of earlier generations.
Dimensions place it firmly among large SUVs, at 4.92 metres long, 1.93 metres wide and 1.91 metres tall, with a 2.87 metre wheelbase. Ground clearance stands at 23 cm, with approach, breakover and departure angles of 30.4°, 22.6° and 25.8° respectively.
Seven seats across three rows
The cabin is designed for seven occupants across three rows. The driver and front passenger face two 14.3 inch screens set within a horizontal structure that echoes a distinctive trait of the original Pajero. The digital instrument display can also show off-road specific information, including altitude, a compass, temperature, and pitch and roll angles.
The second row slides by 15 cm to ease access to the third, and Mitsubishi has also worked on sound insulation. A three zone automatic climate system is fitted, along with ventilated seats, while the top of the range audio option is a 12 speaker Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate system with two amplifiers.
A 2.4 litre turbodiesel with 480 Nm
Under the bonnet sits a 2.4 litre turbodiesel with a variable geometry turbine, producing up to 480 Nm of torque, with power output not yet disclosed. It is paired with a new eight speed automatic transmission. The technical base includes a robust ladder frame chassis, double wishbone front suspension and a five link rigid rear axle.
The Super Select 4WD-II system allows drivers to choose between rear wheel drive, four wheel drive, a locked centre differential and low range gearing. This is paired with Super-All Wheel Control, which integrates traction, braking and torque distribution management. Seven driving modes are available: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.
A more advanced electronics package
The 2026 Pajero also introduces a significantly more sophisticated electronics suite. Driver assistance systems include MI-PILOT, which combines adaptive cruise control with lane keeping on motorways. The car features eight airbags, including a front centre airbag, a first for a Mitsubishi model.
Also notable is the 3D Multi Around Monitor, which uses four cameras to build a three dimensional view of the car’s surroundings. Off road, it can even show what lies beneath the front of the vehicle, helping drivers spot hidden obstacles.
Pricing not yet announced
Mitsubishi has not yet disclosed pricing for the new Pajero, nor confirmed whether it will reach markets such as the United States or Europe. As a rough point of comparison, the new off-roader could realistically be priced above the 46,900 euro starting price of the Mitsubishi Outlander, the brand’s plug-in hybrid SUV, which is also a more compact model.
