Mitsubishi has brought back another familiar nameplate for its new flagship, a rugged, three-row SUV built atop a ladder-frame platform. Heck, it might even end up here under another familiar nameplate by the end of the decade.
Say hello (again) to the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero. It's underpinned by the brand's newly developed ladder-frame platform shared with the Mitsubishi Triton pickup. The reborn Pajero is also the first of three models in what will be a Ford Bronco-like arrangement, eventually to be joined by two smaller variants.
More interesting is the potential of Mitsubishi's new off-roader to cross the Pacific. Officially, Mitsubishi says they intend to sell the Pajero across 100 countries globally, with some of those under the also-familiar Montero nameplate. Unofficially, while North America isn't specifically mentioned in these plans, we'll almost definitely see something here by 2030.
As for the actual 2027 Pajero, it's a neat piece of kit. Mitsubishi appears to be going for Toyota's lunch, with rugged and boxy styling reminiscent of the Land Cruiser and overall dimensions close to the 4Runner. We certainly dig the look; it wears its chunky fenders and appropriately boxy silhouette well, and debuts a new, more horizontal lighting treatment we'll surely see across the lineup eventually.
Inside, the 2027 Pajero uses a curiously Nissan-like display arrangement, comprised of a pair of either 12.3- or 14-inch screens, depending on the trim. We're picking up on subtle Nissan vibes from the Pajero's switchgear, appearing to be a mix of physical, haptic-feedback, and digital.
The rest of the 2027 Pajero's cabin seems appropriately swanky, with cushy-looking, stitched padding across the dash and door panels matching the seats and a 12-speaker Yamaha sound system on upper trims. Mitsubishi says the standard heated second-row seats slide about six inches forward for better access to the third row, and yes, the triple-meter gauges made it.
Underneath it all, the 2027 Pajero's ladder frame is teamed to an independent double-wishbone suspension up front, a five-link solid rear axle, a proper four-wheel drive system with four modes, lockable differentials, and more. The new Pajero has more ground clearance and a better rear departure angle than the Land Cruiser, which counters with better approach and breakover angles — but not by much. The 2027 Pajero will launch with the Triton's 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, with some form of electrification to follow.
The 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero will be built in Thailand and launch there first by the end of the year. Japan and Australia will follow next in 2027, and we'll just keep waiting.