The legendary Mitsubishi Pajero is making its long-awaited return to the Japanese market. Mitsubishi Motors unveiled the completely redesigned, fifth-generation Pajero in Tokyo on September 2, 2026, marking the revival of a nameplate that has been absent from Japan for about seven years.
The new Pajero is positioned as Mitsubishi’s next-generation flagship SUV, combining the model’s traditional off-road character with greater comfort, technology and everyday drivability.
WhatsApp Image 2024 07 01 at 13.58.28 4cfca4e0
Pajero Returns as a Seven-Seat Flagship
The new Pajero is a three-row SUV with seating for seven people. Mitsubishi says it has been designed to deliver both strong off-road capability and a more refined experience on paved roads.
Its development focuses on three core qualities:
● Confidence – off-road capability and reliability
● Comfort – passenger comfort and easier everyday driving
● Prestige – premium quality expected from a flagship SUV
Built for Serious Off-Road Driving
Underneath the new Pajero is a highly rigid ladder-frame chassis, paired with an independent double-wishbone front suspension and a five-link rigid rear axle.
The SUV also gets Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system and Super Select 4WD-II, allowing drivers to choose different four-wheel-drive settings according to road and terrain conditions.
Seven drive modes are available:
● Normal
● Eco
● Gravel
● Snow
● Mud
● Sand
● Rock
Power comes from a newly developed 2.4-litre clean-diesel engine with a maximum torque output of 480 Nm in the specified version.
It is paired with a newly developed eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode.
The combination is designed to provide strong acceleration while maintaining smoother and quieter driving characteristics.
The new Pajero has been engineered to handle demanding terrain.
With 20-inch tyres, it offers:
● 230 mm ground clearance
● 30.4° approach angle
● 22.6° ramp breakover angle
● 25.8° departure angle
● 4,920 mm length
● 1,925 mm width
● 1,910 mm height
These specifications reinforce its positioning as a genuine cross-country SUV rather than simply a city-focused model.
Premium Interior With Modern Technology
Mitsubishi has also significantly upgraded the cabin.
The dashboard features a large integrated display with 14.3-inch screens on specified versions, while the iconic triple-meter concept from earlier Pajero generations has been reimagined digitally as the Multi Meter.
The Multi Meter can display information such as:
● Altitude
● Compass heading
● Temperature
● Vehicle pitch and roll angles
● Active Yaw Control status
The seven-seat cabin also features three-zone automatic climate control and seat ventilation.
The new Pajero comes with a broad range of driver-assistance technologies, including:
● Forward Collision Mitigation
● Pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist detection
● Emergency Lane Assist
● Front Cross Traffic Alert
● Adaptive Cruise Control
● Lane Keep Assist
● MI-PILOT highway driving assistance
● Eight airbags, including an SRS centre airbag
A 3D Multi Around Monitor uses four cameras to provide a wider view around the vehicle, including an under-floor view useful during off-road driving.
When Will the New Pajero Go on Sale in Japan?
The new Pajero will be built in Thailand, with Thailand receiving it first. Mitsubishi plans to launch the SUV in Japan and Australia during fiscal 2026, which runs through March 2027.
For Japan, Mitsubishi has announced that reservation orders will begin October 1, 2026.
The company plans to expand the Pajero to approximately 100 countries from fiscal 2027 onward, including markets in ASEAN, Latin America and the Middle East.
A Major Comeback for an Iconic Mitsubishi
First introduced in 1982, the Pajero became one of Mitsubishi’s most recognisable models and played an important role in Japan’s recreational-vehicle boom during the 1990s.
Across four generations, more than 3.29 million Pajeros were produced for customers in more than 170 countries and regions. The model also established a strong motorsport reputation through the Dakar Rally.
The fifth-generation Pajero now brings that heritage into a new era.
1. A Seven-Year Japanese Comeback
The return marks the revival of one of Mitsubishi’s most iconic nameplates in its home market.
The Pajero is being positioned as a flagship model representing the company’s next generation of SUVs.
3. Off-Road Heritage Meets Modern Comfort
The new model retains a ladder-frame chassis and advanced 4WD technology while adding premium interior features and driver assistance.
After its initial rollout in Thailand, Japan and Australia, Mitsubishi plans to introduce the Pajero to around 100 countries.
The new Mitsubishi Pajero represents more than a familiar name returning to Japanese roads. With seven seats, a 2.4-litre diesel engine, ladder-frame construction, advanced 4WD systems and a significantly upgraded cabin, Mitsubishi is aiming to turn its legendary off-roader into a modern flagship SUV.
