The iconic SUV returns with a 2.4-litre diesel, seven seats and serious 4WD hardware. But could Nissan bring the Pajero back to India?
The Mitsubishi Pajero needs little introduction among Indian SUV enthusiasts. It was imported to our country as a completely built unit (CBU) in the 1990s, and its exclusivity soon made it a cult favourite. Now, Mitsubishi has revived the nameplate with an all-new flagship SUV, but an India launch looks unlikely for now.
Mitsubishi has stayed true to the Pajero formula. The new SUV gets a ladder-frame chassis, four-wheel drive and a diesel engine, while adding a more premium cabin and modern technology. Mitsubishi says the new Pajero brings together three qualities; Confidence, Comfort and Prestige.
Still tough, now more premium
The new Pajero gets an upright, boxy design with chunky fenders and strong horizontal lines. Several details pay tribute to its predecessors, including a C-pillar inspired by the original’s roll bar and a hexagonal rear design that references the spare-wheel housing of older Pajeros.
Inside, it is a different story. The cabin gets a large horizontal display setup, with two 14.3-inch screens on select versions, along with premium materials, ventilated seats and three-zone climate control.
It remains a practical family SUV too, offering three rows and seven seats. The second row slides by 150mm, while Mitsubishi says the third row has enough room for two adults.
480Nm diesel and 4×4 hardware
Power comes from a 2.4-litre clean-diesel engine producing up to 480Nm and paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The Pajero gets Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II system and Super-All Wheel Control. Seven drive modes — Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock — let the SUV adapt to different surfaces. Ground clearance stands at 230mm, while the approach and departure angles are rated at 30.4 and 25.8 degrees, respectively.
Safety equipment includes eight airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, emergency lane assistance and Mitsubishi’s MI-PILOT highway driving assistance system.
Could the Pajero return to India?
Mitsubishi will launch the new Pajero in Thailand first, followed by Japan and Australia, before expanding to around 100 countries from fiscal 2027. India, however, isn’t on the list so far.
There is an interesting possibility, though. Mitsubishi and Nissan are part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and Nissan has already brought a niche SUV to India as a CBU with the X-Trail.
So, could the Pajero get the same treatment? Its exclusivity helped make the original a craze in India in the 1990s. Could history repeat itself? It is highly unlikely to come here unless Nissan decides to import and sell it through its dealerships, just as it did with the X-Trail.
