2026 Mitsubishi Pajero debuting in Q3

The 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero will make its global debut in the third quarter of the year and enter local showrooms sometime in the fourth, with dealers revealing pre-orders will open in September. 

According to carsales’ dealer contacts and online chatter, the all-new Pajero will indeed be based on the latest Mitsubishi Triton but could up the ante with an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the ute’s six-speed unit. 

The turbo-diesel engine is widely believed to be lifted straight out of the Triton (150kW/470Nm) along with the SuperSelect II full-time 4x4 system, however one consultant implied the powerplant could end up being a single-turbo unit rather than the familiar twin-turbo due to evolving NVES legislation. 

More importantly, however, dealers have confirmed to carsales the new Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X rival will be revealed in August or more likely September, with pre-orders being taken shortly afterwards and first deliveries commencing in December – some dealers won’t be getting stock until early 2027. 

One outlier in WA suggested the vehicle could debut as early as June or July, however none of the other dealers we contacted corroborated this.

The Triton underpinnings, powertrain and rival capabilities mean the new Pajero should be able to live up to its nameplate and tow 3500kg (braked), wade through 800mm of water and use less than 8.0L/100km on the combined cycle. 

Localised suspension and steering tunes are also sure to be on the cards to give the Paj, which will replace the ancient but proven Pajero Sport, a fighting chance at rivalling the Everest for on-road dynamics and refinement.  

Beyond confirming a Pajero Sport successor is coming, Mitsubishi Australia has said very little about the new-generation Pajero, with only a single – shadowy – teaser being released thus far. 

Happily, there are eagle-eyed car spotters out there which mean we’ve technically seen the looming off-roader from all major angles, with a camouflaged prototype spotted in Melbourne’s CBD just yesterday (March 30) – and subsequently posted online.

When the new Pajero does debut, it will be considerably bigger than the old Pajero Sport, but will still have big shoes to fill in terms of sales, popularity and dependability. 

Digital images: Kolesa

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