Mitsubishi Motors Corporation unveiled the fully redesigned, all-new Pajero cross-country SUV at its world premiere, calling it a new-generation flagship model meant to represent the next chapter of the Mitsubishi Motors brand.
First introduced in 1982, the Pajero was designed as a cross-country 4WD that combines off-road capability with passenger-car comfort. It became popular among outdoor-focused buyers and was one of the models that fueled Japan’s RV boom in the 1990s. Across four generations, total production has exceeded 3.29 million units, and the model has built a following in more than 170 countries and regions.
According to Mitsubishi, the all-new Pajero builds on the product philosophy that has defined the line since its first generation — “Confidence,” referring to its off-road capability and reliability, paired with “Comfort,” referring to passenger comfort and ease of handling. The new model adds a third pillar, “Prestige,” which the company describes as the premium quality expected of a flagship. Design elements from earlier Pajero generations appear throughout the vehicle’s exterior and interior.
Mitsubishi says the SUV retains dimensions that keep it easy to maneuver despite offering a more spacious cabin. It comes equipped with Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC), which integrates acceleration, cornering, and braking control, along with Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II), which the company positions as balancing off-road performance with everyday usability. These systems are paired with a rigid ladder frame and a tuned suspension designed to keep the tires in contact with the road.
“Under our Mid- to Long-Term Vision for the 2030s, we aim to enhance customer satisfaction and corporate value by developing distinctive products and strengthening our brand, while further reinforcing what makes Mitsubishi Motors unique,” said Keisuke Kishiura, president and chief operating officer of Mitsubishi Motors. “The all-new Pajero is the first model to bring this vision to life. As our flagship model, it will lead not only the Pajero series but also the entire Mitsubishi Motors lineup. Evolved with a new level of refinement, the all-new Pajero is a premium cross-country SUV that drivers can rely on in any situation. We will introduce the model to markets around the world in phases, and we hope customers will look forward to its arrival.”
Design
Guided by a design concept the company calls “Grand Charisma,” the all-new Pajero carries over the bold, upright proportions and horizontal design theme of the first-generation model, adding more pronounced fenders and sculpted body surfaces. Mitsubishi says the front design draws inspiration from kendo, the traditional Japanese martial art. Two grille options are offered: a horizontal-bar grille and a honeycomb grille. The headlights use a T-shaped design.
Design cues from past generations carry through to the exterior, including a C-pillar that references the roll bar of the first-generation model and a hexagonal rear motif that references the rear-mounted spare tire of earlier Pajeros.
Inside, the instrument panel keeps the horizontal orientation from the first-generation model. A monolithic display combines two 14.3-inch screens, including a Multi Meter display that reinterprets the Pajero’s original triple-meter cluster. The instrument panel and door trims use a soft-touch material with stitching inspired by Kimekomi, a traditional Japanese craft.
Two exterior theme colors are offered: Armor Copper Metallic and Phantom Blue Metallic, a grayish-blue finish with gold highlights. The interior color scheme is built around a tan tone Mitsubishi calls Camel, contrasted with black trim.
Mitsubishi also highlighted sound insulation upgrades intended to keep the cabin quiet at highway speeds, including acoustic glass on the windshield and front and rear door windows, along with additional noise-reduction measures throughout the body.
Infotainment and Technology
The 14.3-inch horizontal display drives the infotainment system, with a dedicated opening sequence, visual effects tied to each drive mode, and 16 meter background themes that shift with the time of day. The reworked Multi-Meter display shows driving data including altitude, compass heading, temperature, vehicle pitch and roll angles, and Active Yaw Control (AYC) status. The Smartphone-link Display Audio system supports wireless smartphone connectivity for mapping, music, and other apps.
Powertrain and Chassis
The all-new Pajero pairs the SS4-II system with S-AWC to deliver what Mitsubishi describes as flagship-level all-around capability. Power comes from a 2.4-liter clean diesel engine with a wide-range single-variable geometry turbocharger (VGT), producing a maximum torque of 480 Nm. It’s mated to a newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT) with sport mode.
The ladder frame uses an expanded proportion of high-tensile steel to reduce weight while improving torsional and bending rigidity through a larger frame cross-section. Suspension consists of an independent double-wishbone front setup and a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle. Mitsubishi says strengthened body mounts help suppress vibration on rough roads.
Drivers can select from four SS4-II modes: 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (locked center differential), and 4LLc (locked center differential with low-range gearing). S-AWC additionally integrates Active Yaw Control (AYC), Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Seven drive modes are available: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. The vehicle also gets 18-inch brake rotors and an electric brake booster.
Dimensions
The all-new Pajero measures 4,920 mm long, 1,925 mm wide, and 1,910 mm high, with a 2,870 mm wheelbase and front/rear tracks of 1,630 mm. Ground clearance is 230 mm, with an approach angle of 30.4 degrees, a ramp breakover angle of 22.6 degrees, and a departure angle of 25.8 degrees. Weight distribution is set at 52:48 front-to-rear.
Interior and Comfort
Mitsubishi built the three-row, seven-seat cabin around what it calls “off-road comfort,” aiming to balance off-road capability with on-road refinement. The driver’s seat sits higher for a better view of the vehicle’s dimensions. The second row gets a 150 mm sliding range and a tumble mechanism for easier entry and exit, while the third row includes a footwell designed to let passengers tuck their feet under the second-row seats.
Front and second-row seats are designed for body support, and the third row gets an adjusted seating posture for added comfort. Seat ventilation covers the entire seat, and a three-zone automatic climate control system allows independent temperature settings from the front row through the third row.
Safety
Standard driver-assistance and preventive safety features include Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection, plus junction assist; Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW); and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication (EAPM). The all-new Pajero introduces Emergency Lane Assist (ELA) to the model line for the first time, using a forward-facing camera and radar to detect the risk of lane departure. Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA) is also included and detects vehicles approaching from either side at intersections.
For driver assistance, MI-PILOT combines Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) to support single-lane highway driving. The vehicle carries eight airbags, including what Mitsubishi says is its first SRS center airbag, positioned to reduce the risk of injury from contact between front-seat occupants.
Visibility and Connectivity
A 3D Multi Around Monitor combines four vehicle-mounted cameras with a 3D vehicle model and processes roughly 30 frames per second to assist with parking and off-road maneuvering. A front under-floor view function shows road conditions beneath and ahead of the vehicle and activates automatically in 4HLc or 4LLc mode, or manually when needed.
MITSUBISHI CONNECT allows owners to control climate settings and check vehicle status remotely via a smartphone and includes an SOS call function that links occupants to an emergency operations center.
The audio system, developed jointly with Yamaha Corporation and branded Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate, uses 12 speakers and dual amplifiers, with noise compensation that adjusts volume and tuning based on vehicle speed.
Availability
Built at Mitsubishi Motors’ production base in Thailand, the model will launch first in Thailand, followed by Japan and Australia within fiscal year 2026. From fiscal 2027 onward, the company plans to roll out the all-new Pajero to roughly 100 countries, including markets across ASEAN, Latin America, and the Middle East.
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