The 2027 Mitsubishi Montero is set to make its public debut on September 2, giving the long-awaited body-on-frame SUV a firm arrival date after Mitsubishi officially confirmed the model in May. The SUV will be known as the Pajero in Japan and other markets as Mitsubishi prepares to take on vehicles including the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser.
Mitsubishi Montero Brings Back a Rugged Formula
The new Pajero and Montero have a significant legacy to live up to, but Mitsubishi does not appear to be moving away from the formula that made the nameplate known for off-road capability.
The SUV will use body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle, giving it a foundation designed for rough terrain. A recent teaser video also confirmed expectations from earlier spy photos, showing substantial ground clearance with the exhaust and other underbody components positioned above the frame rails.
Mitsubishi’s teaser images also reveal a secondary instrument display inspired by the auxiliary gauge cluster mounted on the dashboard of the original Montero. The modern system provides altitude, tilt and roll information, features that are important when navigating off-road obstacles.
Through both its hardware and software, the 2027 Montero and its global-market Pajero sibling are drawing heavily on their predecessors’ Dakar-winning history and reputation for ruggedness.
What We Know About the Next-Generation Pajero
Beyond a handful of key specifications, Mitsubishi has not yet revealed exactly what will underpin the next-generation Pajero and Montero.
The SUV could use a strengthened version of the Nissan F-Alpha platform currently found under the Frontier pickup. Another possibility is that Mitsubishi could draw from the overseas-only Triton midsize truck. There is also the possibility of an entirely new body-on-frame chassis that could be shared with the forthcoming 2028 Xterra and 2029 Pathfinder.
A hybrid powertrain is also expected to be a possibility, potentially offering an early look at the gas-electric setup planned for the Xterra.
Potential Hybrid Powertrain
If Mitsubishi follows that approach, it could potentially adapt the 297-horsepower, 332-pound-foot plug-in hybrid powertrain used by the Outlander PHEV. The system could be paired with an electrified transmission and transfer case instead of the crossover’s front and rear electric drive units.
Such a configuration would give the Montero more power and torque than the non-hybrid 4Runner and the non-V8 Jeep Wrangler.
However, the Xterra’s hybrid powertrain was previously reported to feature a V6 rather than the Outlander’s four-cylinder engine. That leaves open the possibility that Mitsubishi could develop an entirely different powertrain for its own off-road SUV.
Why the Montero Matters for Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi currently faces a difficult position in the U.S. market. Aside from the Outlander, the brand’s other products are described as stale, but that lineup is expected to change next year with the arrival of the Montero and Pajero as well as the 2027 Eclipse Sportback, an EV that shares much with the Nissan Leaf.
After spending a long time as an afterthought in the American market, Mitsubishi needs the new products to attract new shoppers.
The Montero could become that vehicle. Its name recalls the last period when Mitsubishi was relevant in the U.S., while its off-road capability, size and pricing could determine how effectively the new SUV establishes itself as a defining model for the brand.
For now, Mitsubishi has confirmed that the 2027 Montero will make its public debut on September 2, bringing the next chapter of its rugged SUV lineup into view.
