The Mitsubishi Pajero is officially back, and this time the legendary SUV returns as a completely redesigned fifth-generation model with a clear mission: combine genuine off-road capability with the comfort, technology and premium character expected from a modern flagship SUV.
After Mitsubishi discontinued the Pajero globally in 2021, the nameplate remained one of the most recognisable names in the off-road world. Now, after a five-year absence, Mitsubishi has revived the name with a new ladder-frame chassis, a 2.4-litre clean-diesel engine, advanced four-wheel-drive technology, seven drive modes and a three-row seven-seat cabin. The new Pajero was unveiled globally on September 2, 2026.
The new SUV is not simply a nostalgic redesign. Mitsubishi is positioning it as a new-generation flagship, combining the traditional Pajero strengths of durability and off-road performance with a significantly more premium interior and modern driver-assistance technology.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Is Finally Back
The Pajero name has an unusually strong reputation among serious SUV enthusiasts.
Introduced in 1982, the Pajero became one of Mitsubishi’s most important global models. Across four generations, production exceeded 3.29 million units, with the SUV sold in more than 170 countries and regions. It also established a formidable motorsport reputation through the Dakar Rally, where Pajero-based vehicles achieved 12 victories, including seven consecutive wins.
Mitsubishi ended production in 2021 as demand for traditional large SUVs declined in several markets.
Now the company believes the Pajero name can have a second life.
The fifth-generation model is designed around three ideas: Confidence, Comfort and Prestige. That is an important change in positioning because the new Pajero is no longer being presented simply as a rugged utility-oriented 4×4. Mitsubishi wants it to operate as a premium flagship while retaining the hardware necessary for serious off-road driving.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Design: Familiar, But Much More Modern
The new Pajero retains the upright, commanding stance associated with previous generations, but its styling is considerably more contemporary.
The body uses strong horizontal lines and muscular fenders to give the SUV a substantial appearance. Mitsubishi says the exterior design concept is called “Grand Charisma,” with several details deliberately referencing earlier Pajero generations.
At the front, the SUV gets a large grille, a muscular bonnet and distinctive T-shaped lighting elements.
Mitsubishi is offering two grille designs: a horizontal-bar version and a honeycomb-style grille. This allows different variants to have slightly different visual personalities while maintaining the same overall design identity.
Classic Pajero Design Details Return
Despite the modern appearance, Mitsubishi has deliberately incorporated several historical references.
The C-pillar design is inspired by the roll-bar appearance of the first-generation Pajero, while the rear incorporates a hexagonal motif that references the spare-wheel design of earlier models.
However, one traditional feature is gone.
The new Pajero does not carry a conventional spare wheel mounted on the tailgate. Instead, Mitsubishi has interpreted the older spare-wheel design through the shape of the rear styling.
That is likely to divide opinion among longtime Pajero fans. The rear-mounted spare was one of the most recognisable visual elements of older models.
New Pajero Is Bigger Than the Toyota Fortuner
The fifth-generation Pajero is a substantial SUV.
It measures:
- Length: 4,920mm
- Width: 1,925mm
- Height: 1,910mm
- Wheelbase: 2,870mm
- Ground clearance: 230mm
Its approach angle is 30.4 degrees, breakover angle is 22.6 degrees and departure angle is 25.8 degrees.
For perspective, the new Pajero is longer, wider and taller than the Toyota Fortuner, while also having a longer wheelbase.
That extra size is not only about road presence.
The longer wheelbase and larger body have helped Mitsubishi create a genuine three-row cabin with seating for seven people.
2.4-Litre Diesel Engine Produces 480Nm
One of the biggest surprises about the new Pajero is its powertrain.
While the automotive industry is rapidly moving toward petrol hybrids and electric SUVs, Mitsubishi has chosen a 2.4-litre clean-diesel engine for the new Pajero.
The engine uses a variable-geometry turbocharger and produces up to 480Nm of peak torque. Mitsubishi has paired it with a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission.
Interestingly, Mitsubishi has not yet disclosed the engine’s maximum power output for the main specification. Some versions are also listed with 470Nm depending on market or trim.
The decision to focus heavily on torque makes sense for a vehicle designed for demanding terrain.
High torque at lower engine speeds can be particularly useful when climbing steep slopes, crawling over obstacles or towing heavy loads.
Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission
The 2.4-litre diesel is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode.
The gearbox is designed to provide smoother gear changes on the highway while still allowing the engine to deliver the controlled response required during off-road driving.
For daily driving, the eight-speed transmission should also help make the Pajero considerably easier to live with than a traditional heavy-duty off-roader with a more basic automatic transmission.
Serious 4WD Hardware Underneath
This is where the new Pajero separates itself from many modern lifestyle SUVs.
The fifth-generation model uses a ladder-frame chassis, rather than relying on a car-based unibody structure.
Mitsubishi says the frame has been engineered for high torsional and bending rigidity, with greater use of high-tensile steel to improve strength while controlling weight.
The suspension combines an independent double-wishbone setup at the front with a five-link rigid rear axle.
That combination is designed to provide the wheel movement required for rough terrain while improving ride comfort and handling on paved roads.
Super Select 4WD-II Gives the Pajero Serious Off-Road Ability
The new Pajero uses Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II, or SS4-II, system.
Drivers can select between four primary drivetrain modes:
- 2H – rear-wheel drive
- 4H – full-time four-wheel drive
- 4HLc – locked centre differential
- 4LLc – locked centre differential with low-range gearing
The availability of low-range gearing is particularly important.
It allows the Pajero to operate at very low speeds with greater torque multiplication, making it better suited to steep climbs, rocky trails, deep mud and other demanding situations.
This is one of the clearest indications that Mitsubishi has not turned the Pajero into a soft road-biased crossover.
Seven Drive Modes for Different Terrain
The new Pajero also gets seven selectable driving modes:
Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.
These modes modify the vehicle’s responses according to the surface and driving conditions.
For experienced off-road drivers, the hardware remains the most important factor. But selectable terrain modes can make a capable 4WD easier for less experienced owners to operate.
The combination of low-range gearing, selectable 4WD, terrain modes and electronic control systems gives the Pajero a substantial advantage over many SUVs that offer only software-based off-road modes.
The Pajero’s New Multi Meter Is a Brilliant Nostalgic Touch
One of the coolest features of the new SUV is its digital Multi Meter.
Older Pajero models were known for their distinctive dashboard gauges, including an inclinometer and additional information displays that helped drivers understand what the vehicle was doing off-road.
Mitsubishi has modernised that concept.
The new Multi Meter can display information including:
- Vehicle pitch angle
- Vehicle roll angle
- Altitude
- Compass heading
- Ambient temperature
- Left-right torque distribution
- Active yaw-control information
The system essentially transforms a historical Pajero feature into a digital off-road information centre.
It is more than a styling gimmick. When driving across steep or uneven terrain, knowing the vehicle’s pitch and roll angles can help the driver better understand what is happening underneath the wheels.
Luxury Seven-Seat Interior
The biggest transformation may actually be inside the cabin.
The new Pajero has a three-row, seven-seat configuration and is designed to offer significantly more comfort than older generations.
Mitsubishi has focused heavily on the third row, which often becomes an afterthought in large SUVs.
The company says the third row provides generous headroom and a redesigned footwell that allows passengers to position their feet beneath the second-row seats.
The second row can slide by 150mm, helping balance passenger space and access to the third row.
This should make the Pajero considerably more practical as a family SUV.
Dual Large Displays Dominate the Dashboard
The new cabin features a large horizontally oriented dashboard with integrated digital displays.
Mitsubishi’s official specifications mention two highly visible 14.3-inch screens, although some versions can use a smaller 12.3-inch display.
The screens provide access to instrumentation, infotainment and the new Multi Meter system.
Importantly, Mitsubishi has not eliminated physical controls completely.
The centre console retains physical controls and rotary switches for important functions, including climate control. That is particularly useful in an off-road vehicle where drivers may not want to navigate touchscreen menus while bouncing over rough terrain.
Premium Materials and Better Cabin Refinement
Mitsubishi is clearly trying to move the Pajero upmarket.
The dashboard and door panels use soft-touch materials, while the design incorporates Japanese craftsmanship influences.
The company has also paid considerable attention to cabin noise.
Acoustic glass is used for the windshield and front and rear door windows, while additional noise-reduction measures have been applied throughout the vehicle.
That should make long highway journeys more comfortable.
It is an important change from the old Pajero, which was respected primarily for durability and off-road capability rather than luxury-car refinement.
Ventilated Seats and Three-Zone Climate Control
The new Pajero is equipped with features expected from a premium family SUV.
The cabin gets ventilated seating and three-zone automatic climate control, allowing temperature management across different areas of the three-row interior.
That combination should be particularly useful in hot climates.
For markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where Mitsubishi plans to sell the vehicle, cabin cooling and passenger comfort can be just as important as off-road capability.
12-Speaker Yamaha Sound System
Mitsubishi has partnered with Yamaha for the new Pajero’s premium audio system.
The Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate setup uses 12 speakers and dual amplifiers, with noise-compensation technology designed to adjust audio output according to vehicle speed and cabin noise.
This reinforces the new Pajero’s premium positioning.
The SUV is clearly being designed to appeal not only to hardcore off-road enthusiasts but also to buyers who spend most of their time commuting on highways and urban roads.
Advanced Safety Technology
The new Pajero also receives a comprehensive suite of active-safety technologies.
Its safety systems include Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist detection, junction assistance, Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication.
It also introduces Emergency Lane Assist, which can provide warnings and steering assistance when the system detects a potential lane-departure situation.
Front Cross Traffic Alert is another useful addition, particularly when manoeuvring at intersections or reversing out of restricted-visibility areas.
Eight Airbags and a Centre Airbag
Mitsubishi has equipped the Pajero with eight airbags, including an SRS centre airbag.
The centre airbag is designed to reduce the possibility of front occupants colliding with each other during certain types of crashes.
This puts the new Pajero firmly into the modern safety era while retaining the structural advantages of its ladder-frame architecture.
3D Camera System Helps During Off-Road Driving
The SUV’s 3D Multi Around Monitor uses four cameras to create a comprehensive view around the vehicle.
One particularly interesting function is the front under-floor view.
This can show terrain beneath and ahead of the vehicle that would normally be hidden from the driver’s view. Mitsubishi says the system can automatically display this view when 4HLc or 4LLc is selected.
That could be genuinely useful when approaching rocks, steep ledges or uneven terrain.
Instead of relying entirely on a spotter or getting out of the vehicle to inspect an obstacle, the driver can use the camera system to better understand the terrain immediately ahead.
The New Pajero Is More Than a Luxury SUV
Despite all the technology and luxury equipment, Mitsubishi has not forgotten what the Pajero name represents.
The new model combines a ladder frame, low-range four-wheel drive, substantial ground clearance, long-travel suspension and terrain-specific drive modes.
Its 230mm ground clearance is complemented by a 30.4-degree approach angle, 22.6-degree breakover angle and 25.8-degree departure angle.
These figures are important because off-road capability is determined by more than engine output.
A vehicle may have enormous power, but if its bumpers hit the ground before the wheels can climb an obstacle, that power is of limited use.
The Pajero’s geometry is clearly designed with difficult terrain in mind.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero vs Toyota Fortuner
The new Pajero is larger and more sophisticated than the Toyota Fortuner in several respects.
Its dimensions exceed those of the Fortuner, and the Mitsubishi combines a ladder-frame platform with advanced Super Select 4WD-II, low-range gearing, seven drive modes and S-AWC.
However, the comparison is not entirely straightforward.
The Pajero is being positioned as a premium flagship SUV, meaning it is likely to compete higher in the market than the Fortuner.
Its combination of luxury equipment, technology and off-road hardware puts it closer to the territory occupied by more expensive adventure-oriented SUVs.
What About the Toyota Land Cruiser?
The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the obvious vehicles the new Pajero will be compared with.
Both use body-on-frame-style rugged architectures and focus heavily on off-road capability, durability and long-distance travel.
But Mitsubishi is attempting to differentiate the Pajero through its blend of Japanese design, advanced four-wheel-drive technology and premium comfort.
The new Pajero’s seven-seat layout, large displays, Yamaha audio system, advanced camera technology and comprehensive driver assistance show that Mitsubishi wants the vehicle to be equally convincing on a highway as it is on a mountain trail.
Is the New Mitsubishi Pajero Coming to India?
This is the disappointing part for Indian Pajero fans.
Mitsubishi’s official global launch plan says the new Pajero will first launch in Thailand, followed by Japan and Australia during fiscal 2026. From fiscal 2027 onward, Mitsubishi plans to expand the model to approximately 100 countries, including markets across ASEAN, Latin America and the Middle East.
India is not specifically included in the announced rollout list.
Autocar India reports that an India launch is currently unlikely.
That means Indian enthusiasts should not assume that the new Pajero will return to the domestic market simply because Mitsubishi is bringing the nameplate back globally.
The original Pajero did have a history in India. It arrived here in 2002 and eventually developed a strong enthusiast following before Mitsubishi discontinued it in the Indian market in 2018.
For now, there is no confirmed India launch date or Indian pricing.
When Will the New Pajero Go on Sale?
Mitsubishi has confirmed that the new Pajero will launch first in Thailand, with Japan and Australia following during fiscal 2026. The company’s fiscal 2026 runs from April 2026 through March 2027.
The wider international rollout begins from fiscal 2027.
New Atlas had previously reported that the revived Pajero was expected to arrive in the September-November 2026 period, while Mitsubishi has now formally unveiled the vehicle and confirmed its phased launch strategy.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Price: What We Know
Mitsubishi has not announced a global price for the new Pajero.
That is not surprising because pricing will vary significantly between markets, trims and equipment levels.
The new model’s premium positioning suggests that it will sit considerably above Mitsubishi’s mainstream SUVs in markets where it is sold.
However, predicting an Indian price would be premature because Mitsubishi has not confirmed an India launch.
Why the Pajero Comeback Matters
The return of the Pajero is significant because the global SUV market has changed dramatically since the previous generation disappeared.
Many manufacturers have moved away from traditional body-on-frame SUVs toward crossover platforms, electrification and road-focused designs.
Mitsubishi has taken a different route.
The company has retained the ladder frame and low-range four-wheel-drive system while adding the technology and comfort expected in a modern flagship.
That combination is increasingly unusual.
The new Pajero therefore represents an attempt to prove that a genuinely capable off-road SUV does not have to sacrifice premium comfort.
