The fifth-generation Mitsubishi Pajero has returned with a five-door configuration, but a shorter three-door version could offer a more compact alternative with improved off-road capabilities. Although Mitsubishi has not announced such a model, a new rendering illustrates how the redesigned SUV could look with a shorter wheelbase, revised proportions and longer front doors.

The concept highlights a potential expansion of the Pajero lineup, similar to the different body styles offered by the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. However, Mitsubishi has not confirmed plans to produce a three-door Pajero or bring the latest generation to North America.

What a Three-Door Mitsubishi Pajero Could Look Like

The rendering retains the overall design of the fifth-generation Pajero while introducing several changes to accommodate the shorter body. These include a shorter wheelbase and rear overhang, longer front doors, a wider B-pillar with horizontal decorative detailing, and blacked-out pillars.

A three-door configuration could broaden the SUV’s appeal by providing a smaller alternative to the five-door model. It could also offer a potentially more affordable entry point into the Pajero lineup, although no pricing information is available for such a version.

Mitsubishi Pajero Could Retain Its Body-on-Frame Platform

A three-door Pajero would likely retain the body-on-frame architecture shared with the Mitsubishi Triton, a midsize pickup truck primarily sold outside North America. This construction differs from the unibody platforms used by Mitsubishi’s current models, including the Eclipse Cross and Outlander, which employ architecture similar to that found in sedans.

The Pajero’s powertrain consists of a 2.4-liter turbodiesel inline-four engine producing 204 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque (354 lb-ft). The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II).

The SUV also features Active Yaw Control, a torque-vectoring technology that Mitsubishi pioneered with the Lancer Evolution.

How a Three-Door Pajero Could Improve Off-Road Performance

A shorter wheelbase could give a three-door Mitsubishi Pajero advantages on challenging trails. The reduced distance between the axles could improve its breakover angle, while the smaller overall package could make the SUV easier to maneuver along narrow routes.

Those potential benefits would come with compromises. A shorter body and two fewer doors would reduce rear-seat accessibility, while passenger space and cargo capacity would also be affected.

The three-door version remains a rendering rather than a confirmed production model, so its final dimensions, equipment and capabilities have not been announced.

Will the New Mitsubishi Pajero Come to the United States?

Mitsubishi has said the fifth-generation Pajero will be sold in about 100 countries, but North America was not mentioned. The last time the nameplate was sold in the United States was in 2006, when the SUV was marketed as the Montero.

The automaker eventually shifted its focus toward mainstream crossovers. While that strategy may have helped Mitsubishi remain financially viable, it also diminished the brand enthusiasm previously associated with models such as the Eclipse and Lancer Evo.

For now, there is no confirmed plan to bring the fifth-generation Pajero to the U.S. market, and Mitsubishi has not announced a three-door variant.

Mitsubishi’s Upcoming Midsize Truck for North America

Although the latest Pajero has not been confirmed for North America, Mitsubishi is preparing a different product for the region. The automaker is developing a new midsize truck in collaboration with Nissan, allowing it to return to the truck segment.

Mitsubishi left the U.S. truck market in 2009 with the Raider. The planned Nissan collaboration would mark the company’s return to that segment, while the availability of the new Pajero in North America remains uncertain.

A three-door Pajero could provide a more compact alternative to the five-door SUV, with potential advantages in off-road maneuverability but compromises in passenger and cargo space. For now, however, the shorter version exists only as a rendering, and Mitsubishi has not confirmed plans for its production or U.S. availability.