Mitsubishi's all-new Pajero diesel SUV opens Japan sales on December 17 after 5,500 pre-orders

Mitsubishi Motors announced on October 29, 2026 that the all-new Pajero will go on sale at dealerships across Japan on December 17. Four trims will be offered: Super Exceed and Exceed are pitched at the pride of ownership expected of a flagship, while GSR and GLS emphasize the cross-country qualities of the SUV and the joy of driving. Pre-orders opened on October 1 and had reached approximately 5,500 units as of the day before the announcement, surpassing the fiscal 2026 sales target, which runs from April 2026 to March 2027. The model carries forward and refines the concept that has defined the Pajero since its first generation, combining the off-road capability, reliability and durability of an authentic four-wheel drive with the handling ease and comfort of a passenger car, and adds what Mitsubishi calls premium quality and a commanding presence worthy of a next-generation flagship.

The exterior builds on solid, upright proportions with an elongated silhouette, C-pillars inspired by the roll bar of the first-generation model, and a hexagonal rear design recalling earlier rear-mounted spare tires. Super Exceed gets a honeycomb grille, while Exceed, GSR and GLS use a horizontal-bar grille, and deep-set headlights carry a T-shaped signature. Super Exceed and Exceed ride on 255/55R20 tires with 20-inch alloy wheels, while GSR and GLS use 255/65R18 tires with dark gray 18-inch alloy wheels. Seven monotone body colors are available across all trims, including newly developed Armor Copper Metallic and Phantom Blue Metallic, and Super Exceed adds four two-tone black-roof combinations for 11 options in total. Inside, a horizontal instrument panel with a monolithic twin-screen display, a compact electronic shift lever and soft-touch trim with stitching inspired by the traditional craft of Kimekomi feature, while Super Exceed adds camel-and-black semi-aniline leather and a 12-speaker, dual-amplifier Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate audio system, and the design earned a 2026 Good Design Award.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter clean diesel turbo producing 150 kW at 3,500 rpm and 480 Nm from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm (470 Nm on select specifications), paired with a wide-range eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and rated at 12.1 km/L in WLTC mode. The ladder frame uses more high-tensile steel, a larger cross-sectional area and revised cross members to raise torsional and bending rigidity while controlling weight, and the suspension is double-wishbone at the front with a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle. Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) coordinates Super Select 4WD-II's four modes, 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc, with Active Yaw Control, Active Stability and Traction Control and ABS, and drivers can choose from seven modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock. On 20-inch tires the Pajero offers 230 mm of ground clearance, a 30.4-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree ramp breakover angle and a 25.8-degree departure angle, and the body measures 4,920 mm long, 1,925 mm wide and 1,910 mm tall (1,900 mm for GSR and GLS), with a 2,775 mm cabin and a second row that slides 150 mm. Front seats are ventilated, the first and second rows are heated, acoustic glass and sound insulation quiet the cabin, the infotainment system supports wireless smartphone connectivity, and two accessory packages, Classic Modern Style and Urban Shift Style, are offered alongside individually available options.