Mitsubishi Pajero SUV Expansion: Which New Off-Roader Should You Wait For?

Top pick: the new flagship Mitsubishi Pajero SUV

Mitsubishi’s expanded Pajero SUV lineup is a family of rugged, off-road-focused vehicles ranging from a compact kei-class model to a mid-size RAV4 rival and a ladder-frame flagship, all positioned to challenge established off-road competitors with multiple capability levels and body styles. The best choice for most buyers will be the new flagship Mitsubishi Pajero SUV, which combines serious off-road engineering with modern powertrains and a clear step up in capability over the rest of the range. It returns after a five-year break and adopts a bigger, boxier design, body-on-chassis construction and a turbocharged diesel engine, with a hybrid option confirmed. "The new Pajero will be the first in two generations to be based on a ladder-frame chassis," according to reporting on the upcoming model. This makes it the most confident pick if you want a true off-road vehicle buying focus rather than a soft-roader, and it is the Pajero that will squarely face large off-road SUVs like the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X.

How the flagship Pajero is engineered for off-road use

For buyers comparing large off-road vehicles, the new Mitsubishi Pajero SUV stands out because it is built on a ladder-frame chassis adapted from the latest Triton ute, paired with coil-sprung rear suspension for better on- and off-road comfort. Expect a 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel, likely tuned for strong torque and matched to an automatic transmission and Mitsubishi’s Super-Select II 4WD system, outmuscling the previous Pajero Sport and fourth-generation Pajero diesels. In the mid-size SUV comparison space, that puts the Pajero closer to heavy hitters like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado than to softer crossovers, and it is also set to gain a hybrid powertrain as part of Mitsubishi’s investment in electrified vehicles. Buyers focused on towing, remote touring and serious tracks should view this flagship as the anchor of Mitsubishi’s off-road lineup, with clear intent to compete as an affordable off-road SUV rather than a premium niche product.

The upcoming mid-size Pajero: RAV4-sized, off-road oriented

Below the flagship, Mitsubishi will add a mid-size Pajero SUV roughly the size of a Toyota RAV4, targeted as a more off-road-capable alternative to the Mitsubishi Outlander. This compact off-road SUV will use components from the Outlander to cut development time and cost, but ride on a dedicated Mitsubishi-developed platform rather than a rebadged Alliance product, keeping it distinct from Nissan’s planned body-on-frame SUVs. For context, the current Outlander measures 4720mm long, 1862mm wide and 1745mm tall on a 2706mm wheelbase, so you can expect the RAV4-sized Pajero variant to sit near these dimensions while trading some on-road polish for added off-road focus. This is the one to wait for if you want a mid-size SUV comparison that leans toward trails and dirt roads instead of city commuting, but do not need the size and towing potential of the flagship Pajero.

The compact Pajero Mini-style SUV: Jimny rival with a twist

At the smallest end of the Mitsubishi Pajero SUV family, Mitsubishi is developing a compact kei-class model that may revive the Pajero Mini name and will compete directly with the ladder-frame Suzuki Jimny. The smallest Pajero previously sold in some markets was the Pajero iO, a 3710mm-long compact SUV offered in three- and five-door forms, while the original Pajero Mini in Japan measured only 3295mm. The new baby Pajero is expected to feature all-wheel drive and high ground clearance but use car-like unibody construction rather than a traditional ladder frame, giving it a different character from the Jimny while still fitting into the off-road-focused Pajero family. This compact off-road SUV will appeal to buyers who want a city-friendly footprint with genuine light-trail ability and a cult-style image, and it will sit at the most affordable end of Mitsubishi’s broadened off-road range.

How Mitsubishi’s Pajero expansion changes the off-road market

Mitsubishi has confirmed it will use the return of the Pajero nameplate to lead a range of more rugged, off-road-focused SUVs separate from its passenger models, beginning with the new ladder-frame Pajero and followed by the mid-size and compact Pajero variants. This expansion is part of a wider product plan for 16 new global models by the end of 2028, including nine electrified vehicles such as the hybrid Pajero. In practical terms for buyers, that means multiple price points and capability levels across the refreshed lineup: a serious off-road flagship for towing and touring, a RAV4-sized mid-sizer for everyday use with extra dirt-road confidence, and a compact kei-style Pajero for urban buyers who still want off-road style and occasional trail ability. Together these moves position Mitsubishi as a serious competitor in the affordable off-road SUV segment, challenging everything from the Jimny up to large ladder-frame rivals.

• Buy the flagship Mitsubishi Pajero if you want a ladder-frame off-roader with strong diesel performance and future hybrid options for touring and towing.
• Skip the flagship Mitsubishi Pajero if you prefer a softer, car-like SUV and rarely leave sealed roads, where its off-road focus may be unnecessary.
• Buy the mid-size RAV4-sized Pajero if you want more off-road ability than an Outlander but still need a practical family mid-size SUV.
• Skip the mid-size RAV4-sized Pajero if you prioritise on-road refinement over trails, in which case an Outlander-style crossover will suit you better.
• Buy the compact Pajero Mini-style SUV if you like the idea of a Jimny rival with all-wheel drive, high ground clearance and small-city dimensions.
• Skip the compact Pajero Mini-style SUV if you regularly carry a lot of passengers or luggage, where its kei-class size and off-road focus may feel limiting.