Mitsubishi’s all-new Pajero is generating strong early demand ahead of its Japanese market debut on December 17, with approximately 5,500 pre-orders already received. The figure has exceeded the company’s target of 4,000 units for fiscal year 2026, which runs from April 2026 through March 2027.
The flagship off-road SUV, also known as the Montero in some markets, will compete with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300. Its competitive starting price and off-road capabilities are among the key highlights of the new model.
New Mitsubishi Pajero Starts at $39,300 in Japan
The new Mitsubishi Pajero starts at 6,193,000 yen in Japan, equivalent to approximately $39,300 at the current exchange rate. That makes it marginally less expensive than the diesel-powered Toyota Land Cruiser 300, its direct rival.
The Japanese lineup will include four trim levels: Super Exceed, Exceed, GSR, and GLS. The Super Exceed and Exceed trims focus more on luxury, while the GSR and GLS versions emphasize off-road capability.
2.4-Liter Turbo Diesel Engine Delivers 201 Horsepower
The Japanese-market Pajero will be offered with a single powertrain: a 2.4-liter turbo diesel engine producing 201 horsepower at 3,500 rpm and 354 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm.
The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission featuring Sport mode. Fuel economy is rated at 12.1 km/L on the WLTC cycle, equivalent to approximately 28.5 mpg.
Power reaches all four wheels through the Super Select 4WD-II (SS4-II) system, which offers four operating modes:
- 2H: Rear-wheel drive.
- 4H: Full-time four-wheel drive.
- 4HLc: Locked center differential.
- 4LLc: Locked center differential with low-range gears.
The system is designed to combine strong off-road capability with stable handling on paved roads.
Super-All Wheel Control Adds Seven Driving Modes
The four-wheel-drive system is integrated with the Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics system, which manages driving, cornering, and braking.
S-AWC incorporates Active Yaw Control (AYC), which uses the front brakes to control torque between the left and right wheels, along with Active Stability and Traction Control (ASTC), which distributes driving force to improve stability on slippery surfaces. The system also integrates ABS.
The new Pajero offers seven selectable driving modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock, allowing drivers to select settings for different road and terrain conditions.
Ladder-Frame Chassis Supports Off-Road Performance
The new Pajero is built on the ladder-frame chassis used by the Mitsubishi Triton pickup, providing the foundation for its off-road capabilities.
Models equipped with 20-inch tires, which are standard on the Super Exceed and Exceed trims, offer 230 mm (9 inches) of ground clearance.
These versions also feature a 30.4-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree ramp breakover angle, and a 25.8-degree departure angle.
Mitsubishi Pajero International Launch and U.S. Availability
The new Pajero is already on sale in Thailand and is scheduled to launch in Australia later this year. The rollout is expected to expand to approximately 100 international markets.
The United States has not been confirmed as one of those markets. However, Mitsubishi has previewed a flagship body-on-frame SUV to U.S. dealers under the Montero name.
If the Montero reaches the American market in the coming years, it will need a different powertrain to meet U.S. emissions certification requirements.
Meanwhile, the new Pajero is preparing for its December 17 launch in Japan, with approximately 5,500 pre-orders already exceeding Mitsubishi’s original fiscal 2026 sales target.
