The Mitsubishi Pajero has officially returned, making its global debut in Japan with its preliminary specifications and design revealed. Alongside the standard SUV, Mitsubishi also showcased a Ralliart-liveried Pajero built with rally competition in mind.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero: Everything We Know About the Legendary SUV’s Return
Mitsubishi Eyes the Asia Cross Country Rally
The rally-inspired Pajero features full Ralliart graphics, chunky all-terrain tires, off-road wheels, recovery hooks, a snorkel and a more aggressive stance. Mitsubishi exclusively sent photos of the vehicle to Autoblog.
The reason for the competition-focused setup is clear: Mitsubishi is already considering the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR) for the new Pajero. The event covers 1,300 miles through Thailand’s jungles, rivers, rocks and dirt at full speed.
Team Mitsubishi Ralliart recently captured overall victory at the 2026 AXCR with its rally-ready Triton truck. The result gave Mitsubishi additional momentum as the Pajero returned and marked the first overall AXCR victory by a Japanese driver and co-driver pairing in the rally’s 31-year history.
Pajero Could Enter Next Year’s Rally
The Ralliart Pajero appears to be more than a display vehicle. During Team Mitsubishi Ralliart’s AXCR victory press conference, team director Hiroshi Masuoka said he is already considering campaigning the new Pajero in next year’s rally, although he acknowledged that the plan has not yet been officially approved.
“This is not yet officially decided, but in my mind, I’m thinking about a new Pajero next year. I’m really looking forward to creating a new car. It’s like a sibling car to the Triton, so if we can utilize the know-how we’ve gained so far in the Pajero and make it a highly competitive car, I think next year will be exciting,” Masuoka told the MotorFan.
Masuoka is also targeting a three-peat at AXCR with the Pajero next season.
Pajero Shares Its Platform With the Triton
The new Pajero has a direct connection to Mitsubishi’s AXCR-winning truck. Underneath, the SUV rides on the same bones as the latest Mitsubishi Triton, which Ralliart has already developed into an AXCR champion.
The 2026 rally Triton features tweaked suspension, improved weight balance and a strengthened 2.4-liter turbo-diesel engine. Those developments could give the Pajero a starting point as Mitsubishi considers adapting it for competition.
A Return to Pajero’s Rally Roots
The Pajero already has an extensive history in off-road competition. During the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, it became closely associated with the Dakar Rally, earning victories and establishing a strong reputation in rally competition.
That rally heritage became an important part of the Pajero’s identity alongside its reputation for toughness and off-road capability.
With the new Pajero now officially back, Mitsubishi has an opportunity to connect the SUV’s past with a new generation. If Masuoka’s plan receives approval, the Pajero could return to rally competition alongside the Ralliart program that just delivered another AXCR victory.
For U.S. fans, the production Pajero is known as the Montero, adding another layer to the significance of the SUV’s return and its potential connection to Mitsubishi’s latest rally efforts.
