Traditional Off-Road, Classic Legend Returns, All-New Mitsubishi Pajero Global Debut

In 2021, the last Pajero quietly rolled off the line at the Gifu factory in Japan. At that time, almost everyone thought the era belonging to the Pajero had come to an end. This lone mountain cat from the South American wilderness now only lives in memories and the second-hand market. However, today, Mitsubishi Motors officially unveiled the all-new Pajero, a generation legend, to the world in Tokyo. With a full 20 years of accumulation, it returns in a high-profile manner.

This is the fifth-generation Pajero. The new car is manufactured at Mitsubishi Motors' Thailand production base and will debut in the Thai market first. In fiscal year 2026, it will be launched in Japan and Australia. Starting from fiscal year 2027, it is planned to go on sale in approximately 100 countries globally, covering ASEAN, Latin America, Middle East, and other markets.

Regarding power, the new Pajero is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine, matched with an 8AT transmission. Maximum power is 204 hp, maximum torque is 480 Nm. The new car features Mitsubishi Selectric 4WD-II (SS4-II) and S-AWC Super All-Wheel Control integrated dynamic control system. It offers four modes: 2H rear-wheel drive, 4H full-time four-wheel drive, 4HLc locking center differential, and 4LLc low-range four-wheel drive lock.

The new car reintroduces a ladder-frame body-on-frame chassis (the previous generation Pajero used a unibody). The suspension configuration features front double-wishbone independent suspension, paired with a newly developed rear five-link solid axle structure. Mitsubishi proposed a unique development indicator: "Off-Road Comfort". It does not just require the vehicle to pass complex obstacles, but also reduces bumps from bad roads, optimizes the body vibration isolation structure, filters excess vibrations, and achieves a two-way balance between off-road capability and on-road driving quality.

Regarding appearance, the fifth-generation Pajero is built based on the "Grand Charisma" design concept. The entire vehicle uses powerful horizontal lines. The upright and substantial body posture continues the classic design genes. The flared and raised wheel arches intuitively highlight the performance orientation. The sculptural body surfaces give the whole vehicle a strong visual presence. The full-LED lights at the front adopt a new generation T-shaped design.

The overall length is 4920 mm, width 1925 mm, height 1910 mm, and wheelbase is 2870 mm. The entire side focuses on a box-style shape, with approach angle 30.4°, ramp breakover angle 22.6°, departure angle 25.8°. The rear end cancels the external spare tire, switching to a liftback tailgate, while also selecting a through-light group design.

The interior continues the first-generation iconic horizontal dashboard layout, balancing functionality with luxurious texture. The dual-screen UI design replicates many classic Pajero elements. The former three-dial mechanical instrument cluster has evolved into a modernized multi-functional Multi-Meter display, which can show altitude, heading, body pitch and roll angles, and 4WD system status in real-time. Key information during off-road travel is at a glance. The dashboard and door panels are covered with large-area soft materials. Stitching draws on traditional Japanese craftsmanship, textures are layered, bringing the premium feel that a flagship should have down to every detail touchable by fingertips.

Cabin quietness is the focus of improvement for this generation. Except for the windshield, front and rear doors all use acoustic glass. Noise-reducing materials are arranged at multiple points on the body to suppress wind noise and engine noise. It is equipped with a 12-speaker Yamaha co-developed audio system inside.

In terms of space, the fifth-generation Pajero adopts a three-row seven-seat layout, equipped with a seat ventilation system for natural heat dissipation of the seats as a whole, and also features three-zone automatic air conditioning and independent temperature adjustment.

In terms of safety, the new car is equipped with active safety configurations such as collision warning, emergency lane assist, cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, the new car provides 8 airbags.

In the current market, off-road vehicles are constantly competing on refrigerators, TVs, and spacious sofas. The inclusion of motors further strengthens the performance of off-road models, yet gradually dilutes the most fundamental ability of "conquering roads". Adhering to the pure mechanics of "traditional methods", the all-new Pajero provides the answer for old-school off-road players: A truly excellent flagship off-road SUV should be able to commute safely on city roads and take the family out comfortably; and when needed, rush to unpaved remote destinations.

Regrettably, based on Mitsubishi's current product launch plans, this highly-anticipated hard-core flagship is temporarily unavailable in the domestic market, and domestic consumers currently have no way to experience this new Pajero through official channels. But this does not mean we lack quality hard-core choices. In recent years, local independent brands have risen rapidly in the hard-core off-road track, and a batch of powerful domestic hard-core off-road vehicles has emerged constantly. They also possess body-on-frame chassis, powerful 4WD capabilities, balancing home comfort and cross-country strength. They understand domestic consumers' yearning for outdoor exploration, and fully adapt to local road conditions and usage scenarios, providing a high-standard localized solution for off-road enthusiasts. However, for older generations of domestic consumers and users, the reliability, power, and stability brought by the names "Mountain Cat" or "Pajero" are deeply ingrained.