Back After Five Years
The Mitsubishi Pajero, also known as the Montero, is one of the pioneers of the SUV genre. In Japan, it was among the first of its kind, being a more accessible alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol. But the Pajero’s legacy goes beyond that, as it’s still the undisputed champion of the Dakar Rally with 12 overall wins.
As the Montero in the U.S., it was a fairly successful model for Mitsubishi. But as the number of competitors grew, its market share dwindles. When Mitsubishi sales cratered in the mid-2000s, the Montero was axed in the U.S. and Canada in 2006, and the fourth-generation model was no longer offered. The fourth-gen was then made from 2006, all the way to 2021 with some markets selling the last of its stocks in 2022.
The Pajero and Montero nameplates sat dormant for the next five years, and by 2026, Mitsubishi started to make noise about its revival. The SUV officially returned in September of this year, and the Diamond Star brand is determined to make up for lost ground.
Mitsubishi
First Impressions Are in
A month since its world premiere, first impressions are starting to pour in from Japan. Expectations are, of course, high, as the nameplate is held to a high standard in its home market. So far, it’s looking promising.
Japanese automotive journalist Mitsuhiro Kunisawa recently told Best Car his impressions on the revived Pajero, and he made some pretty bold claims along the way. He said that it’s one of the finer frame-based vehicles he’s driven in a while, and while it’s no surprise that it performed well on the rough stuff, its on-road manners were genuinely well-behaved. There were also praises for the build of the cabin, as well as the materials used inside.
But perhaps the biggest surprise was quality. Kunisawa boldly claimed that it felt better inside than a Toyota Land Cruiser. More shockingly, he wasn’t just comparing it to the 250 Series model that’s sold in the U.S., but rather, the full-size 300 Series model that serves as the basis of the Lexus LX. Now, he didn’t say the build could beat the Lexus, but the fact that the 300 Series was brought into the conversation was impressive.
Mitsubishi
U.S Dealers Had Similar Remarks
For those who remember, the Pajero/Montero was presented to U.S. dealers earlier this year, and the comments from Japan reflect those to what the American dealers said. The cabin felt high-grade and upmarket, which isn’t what a lot of people would say about the brand’s current offerings.
With the feedback from the U.S. and Japan, the new Pajero/Montero is looking like a credible threat to Land Cruiser. Not only that, it has all the potential to steal away sales from the 4Runner. Of course, the only way U.S consumers can find out first hand is if Mitsubishi Motors North America brings it stateside.
So far, it isn’t locked in yet, but should enough people want it, the odds of it ending up in American showrooms improve. It can’t have a diesel, though, but Mitsubishi has hinted that a hybrid version is under development. Also, it’s worth pointing out that the Pajero undercuts the Land Cruiser in some key markets, which is all the more reason why Toyota should look in its mirrors.
Mitsubishi
About the author
Anton Andres
News Editor