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Mitsubishi Pajero Returns With a Land Cruiser-Beating Price
After a five-year absence, the Mitsubishi Pajero is officially back. The fifth-generation off-road SUV will reach Australian dealerships in December 2026 with a starting price below its closest Toyota Land Cruiser rival. Yet U.S. drivers hoping for a revived Mitsubishi Montero may face a longer wait.
Mitsubishi unveiled the new Pajero on September 2, positioning it as their flagship cross-country SUV. Production will take place in Thailand, with Mitsubishi planning a phased release across about 100 countries from fiscal 2027. Mitsubishi has not included the United States in its confirmed rollout.
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Australian Prices Undercut the Land Cruiser Prado
The Australian range starts at AU$68,490 before on-road costs for the five-seat GLS. The seven-seat GLS costs AU$69,990, followed by the seven-seat Exceed at AU$79,990 and GSR at AU$84,990.
For comparison, Australia’s Toyota Land Cruiser Prado range currently starts at AU$73,200. The entry-level Pajero is AU$4,710 cheaper, while even the top GSR remains well below the Prado Kakadu’s AU$100,620 price. It also starts far below the larger LandCruiser 300 Series, which costs around AU$99,000 in its least expensive form.
Diesel Power & Serious Off-Road Hardware
Every Australian model uses a 2.4-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 150 kW and 480 Nm, equal to roughly 201 horsepower and 354 pound-feet. It is paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Pajero returns to ladder-frame construction after the previous generation used a unibody design. Mitsubishi says the new frame shares its front section and front floor with the Triton pickup, but most major components have been changed or newly developed.
Super Select 4WD-II, low-range gearing, a rear differential lock, and Mitsubishi’s S-AWC vehicle-control system come standard. Drivers can choose from seven terrain settings covering Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. The SUV can tow up to 3,500 kilograms, or about 7,716 pounds.
At 4,920 mm long with a 2,870 mm wheelbase, the Pajero offers 230 mm of ground clearance. Its 30.4-degree approach angle, 22.6-degree breakover angle, and 25.8-degree departure angle support its off-road focus.
A Larger Cabin With New Technology
Most versions seat seven, although the base GLS is also offered with five seats. The second row slides through 150 mm, while the third row was designed to accommodate adults. Depending on the trim, the dashboard carries either 12.3-inch displays or two 14.3-inch screens.
Available equipment includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three-zone climate control, ventilated seats, a 12-speaker Yamaha audio system, and a 3D surround-view camera with an underfloor view for off-road driving.
Safety equipment includes eight airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, emergency lane intervention, forward collision mitigation, and front cross-traffic alert.
Could the Montero Return to the United States?
No U.S. launch has been announced, and the diesel-only powertrain makes this version an unlikely candidate. Reports linking the Montero to the Nissan Frontier refer to a separate possible U.S. model, not the Pajero revealed for Australia.
Mitsubishi could use its alliance with Nissan to develop a Frontier-based SUV alongside Nissan’s expected next-generation Xterra.
For more industry updates, visit our automotive news section.