- Mitsubishi has brought back the Pajero nameplate after a five-year hiatus globally, while in India the name has been missing for around eight years. The recent global debut made it a trending topic in India, with Google searches jumping by over 5000 per cent.
- The fifth-generation Mitsubishi Pajero is a three-row, seven-seat SUV built on a ladder-frame architecture related to the Triton pickup. It measures 4,920mm long, 1,925mm wide, 1,910mm tall with a 2,870mm wheelbase, placing it in the same full-size SUV space as the Toyota Fortuner and the previously sold Ford Endeavour.
- The new Pajero is built in Thailand and will launch there first, followed by Japan and Australia during Mitsubishi's 2026 financial year. The company plans a wider expansion to approximately 100 markets from fiscal 2027, but India is not on the confirmed list.
- The Pajero is not unfamiliar in India; Mitsubishi sold multiple versions here, including the Pajero SFX and later the Pajero Sport. The original Pajero established its reputation through long-distance rallying and the Dakar Rally era, developing a loyal enthusiast following in India.
- The Ford Endeavour built a similar following before exiting India, leaving a gap for buyers seeking a premium, body-on-frame SUV with road presence and all-terrain capability. The returning Pajero could have been a credible alternative in that space.
- Buyers spending Rs 40 lakh and above on an SUV often value a commanding seating position, seven-seat flexibility, a diesel engine, proper four-wheel-drive hardware, and the ability to handle poor roads.
- Unlike many modern premium SUVs, the new Pajero retains body-on-frame construction. Mitsubishi says its high-rigidity ladder frame uses more high-tensile steel than before, with a double-wishbone front suspension and a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle.
- Power comes from a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine producing up to 480Nm of torque, paired with a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission and Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system. The system provides 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc modes for two-wheel drive, high-range four-wheel drive, or low-range settings.
- Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) integrates the four-wheel-drive system with traction control, stability control, Active Yaw Control and ABS, which should help the vehicle remain composed on wet roads, loose surfaces, and uneven terrain.
- The higher-spec Pajero features twin 14.3-inch displays, a 12-speaker Yamaha audio system, tri-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, an acoustic windscreen, double-glazed side windows, a cooled centre console, rear sunshades, and USB charging across all three rows.
Mitsubishi has unveiled the fifth-generation Pajero SUV, marking its return after a five-year absence from the global market. The new model, which has not been available in India for eight years, has generated significant interest, with searches in India soaring by over 5000% following its debut.1
The Pajero is a three-row, seven-seat SUV built on a robust ladder-frame architecture, measuring 4,920mm long, 1,925mm wide, and 1,910mm tall, with a 2,870mm wheelbase. This positions it alongside competitors like the Toyota Fortuner and the now-discontinued Ford Endeavour.26
Mitsubishi aims to attract buyers who prioritize commanding seating positions, seven-seat flexibility, and off-road capability. The Pajero features a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine delivering up to 480Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the Super Select 4WD-II system for versatile driving conditions.7910
The SUV retains its body-on-frame construction, utilizing high-tensile steel for enhanced rigidity. It also incorporates Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control for improved stability on various terrains. The higher-spec models boast twin 14.3-inch displays, a 12-speaker Yamaha audio system, and tri-zone climate control among other luxury features.812
The Pajero is set to launch in Thailand first, followed by Japan and Australia in the 2026 financial year, with plans for expansion to around 100 markets by fiscal 2027. However, India is not currently on the confirmed list for the launch.3
“The new Pajero is built in Thailand and launches there first, followed by Japan and Australia in fiscal 2026, with India not on the confirmed list. It features a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel with 480Nm, an eight-speed automatic, and Super Select 4WD-II with 2H, 4H, 4HLc, and 4LLc modes.”
