The Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero are back after five years of hibernation, reviving a nameplate that was discontinued after 39 years of continuous production. Although a successor was once thought unlikely, Mitsubishi employees have openly pushed for the model’s return, with some taking its cancellation personally.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero: Everything We Know About the Legendary SUV’s Return
A Return to the Pajero Formula
Mitsubishi has not kept the Pajero name dormant for long compared with other nameplates that have taken decades to return. The revived SUV follows a tried-and-true formula designed to remain faithful to the original model.
That approach keeps the Pajero and Montero bloodline consistent while also bringing the name back to rallying. For Mitsubishi, the return represents a continuation of the model rather than a departure from its established identity.
Pajero Uses a Modified Triton Platform
The revived Pajero and Montero are based on a modified Triton pickup platform. Describing the SUV simply as a wagonized truck, however, would undersell what Mitsubishi has developed.
The Triton is a global product sold across most parts of the world, with one notable exception: the U.S. and Canada. That global platform gives Mitsubishi the ability to offer the SUV across markets where it is permitted, while the company would like to make it available to an even wider audience.
Where the New Mitsubishi Pajero Will Be Sold
Several markets have already been confirmed for the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero. ASEAN is among them, with the SUV built in Thailand, at least for now.
Latin America and the Middle East have also been mentioned as markets for the revived model, both of which have historically been strong markets for the Pajero and Montero. Oceania is confirmed as well, and Australia already has initial pricing for the SUV.
Australian Pajero Pricing Starts at 68,490 AUD
A report from Drive has revealed initial Australian pricing for the Pajero. The SUV will start at 68,490 Australian dollars and reach 84,990 AUD at the top end.
Converted to U.S. dollars, those figures are approximately $49,400 to $61,300. While that may sound expensive for a Mitsubishi, vehicle prices in Australia are generally high.
For comparison, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in Australia, known simply as Land Cruiser in America and Europe, starts at about 79,000 AUD, or approximately $57,000, for a relatively bare mild-hybrid diesel model. CarExpert’s buyer’s guide lists the range as reaching 108,000 AUD, or $77,900, for a top-spec mild-hybrid model.
The 2.4-liter turbo-hybrid is not sold in Australia, although the article notes it would likely be slightly more expensive than the diesel models if offered. Overall, vehicle pricing in the U.S. remains comparatively cheaper than in Australia.
Could the Montero Return to the U.S.?
The return of the Montero to the U.S. has not been guaranteed, but Australian pricing provides a potentially useful reference for what stateside pricing could look like if the model returns.
Before the Montero could be approved for sale in North America, significant changes would be required. At a minimum, it would need a gas engine, while a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain would be an added benefit.
The Triton platform itself is not sold in the U.S., meaning the platform would likely require modifications and approval before the Montero could be sold in America.
Based on its positioning abroad, the Pajero and Montero would be less expensive than the Land Cruiser/Prado, while potentially costing slightly more than a Toyota 4Runner. That could create an interesting matchup, particularly with Nissan soon set to build a truck-based Pathfinder.
The revived Mitsubishi Pajero and Montero are now confirmed for several global markets, with Australia providing the first clear indication of pricing as Mitsubishi continues the nameplate’s return.
