Reborn Mitsubishi Pajero Arrives To Take On The Toyota Land Cruiser

Boxy Heritage Meets Modern Off-Road Hardware

The new model ditches the soft and smooth I work-at-a-desk-all-day look of urban crossovers for a muscular silhouette inspired by its Dakar Rally-winning ancestors.

Up front, a commanding grille is flanked by T-shaped LED headlights, while the C-pillar design is intended to pay homage to the original first-generation Montero's integrated roll bar. Unfortunately, the tailgate drops the traditional mounted spare tire in favor of underbody placement. A hexagonal rear design motif keeps the iconic look intact.

Engineered to handle harsh terrain, the chassis delivers 9.0 inches (230 mm) of ground clearance, backed by an approach angle of 30.4 degrees and a departure angle of 25.8 degrees. The suspension uses double wishbones up front paired with a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle to balance extreme off-road articulation with smooth highway performance.

Diesel Power and Torque-Vectoring Tech

Under the hood is an updated 2.4-liter clean-diesel engine making 201 horsepower and 354 pound-feet (480 Nm) of torque, paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Power flows through Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system, offering selectable two-wheel drive, full-time four-wheel drive, locked center differential modes, and low-range gearing.

Mitsubishi integrated Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) with Active Yaw Control—a torque-vectoring technology originally perfected on the iconic Lancer Evolution. Seven terrain-specific drive modes allow drivers to tailor power delivery and braking across Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock settings.

Upscale Seven-Seat Interior

Inside, the cabin takes a step upmarket to establish itself as a true range-topper. The cab offers space for up to seven passengers across three rows, complete with soft-touch leather surfaces and traditional Japanese Kimekomi-inspired contrast stitching.

A monolithic display panel merges the digital instrument cluster and central infotainment touchscreen into a single dual-screen setup. The interface features a modern digital "Multi-Meter" display showing altitude, compass heading, and real-time vehicle pitch and roll angles.

Refinement gets a boost as well, with acoustic front and side glass, three-zone automatic climate control, ventilated front seats, and a custom 12-speaker Yamaha premium audio system equipped with active road-noise cancellation.

American Market Outlook: Could the Montero Nameplate Return?

Initial production begins in Thailand, with launches scheduled for global markets including Australia and Japan through early 2027.

While Mitsubishi has not officially confirmed a U.S. launch for this specific diesel-powered variant, North American enthusiasts have good reason to stay tuned. Mitsubishi has repeatedly teased a comprehensive lineup expansion for the U.S. market, where a resurrected Montero would give dealer showrooms a direct competitor to the Toyota Land Cruiser, Jeep Wrangler, and Ford Bronco.

Should a North American version earn the green light, expect it to swap the diesel for a hybrid or turbocharged gas powertrain.

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