Buying a used Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (2015-2018)

The Mitsubishi Pajero in various forms had been available in Australia for decades, but not until 2015 was the model in a position to polarise opinion in the way the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport version could.

For most of its varied life, Pajero had suffered something of an image problem. No matter how many times Mitsubishi’s rapid and rugged off-roader won the Australian Safari or the even more brutal Dakar Rally, it was seen as a bit too ‘townie’ for a rugged land like this one.

Turning the derision to defiance, Mitsubishi horrified detractors by launching a version shaped to fascinate city dwellers yet with unexpected and exceptional levels of competence off-road.

The attention-grabbing Mitsubishi Pajero Sport appeared in the dying days of 2015 and was nothing if not distinctive. The ‘Dynamic Shield’ styling theme would be shared with the smaller Outlander and seemed to work better when applied to a larger vehicle.

From head-on the Pajero Sport was seriously menacing; slit-like headlights all but hidden amongst a confusion of chromed embellishers that framed the massive air intake.

Three versions of the Sport made their local debut in 2015: the GLX, GLS and almost-luxurious Exceed. Prices began at $45,000 plus on-road costs and climbed to an enticing $52,750 for the Exceed.

If you didn’t want a diesel then too bad because the entire Sport range was powered by the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder as used by the revamped Mitsubishi Triton ute.

With an eight-speed automatic transmission compulsory and a little engine that was keen to rev, the Sport was capable of class-leading acceleration but could also get down to some hard work. With a towing capacity of 3.1 tonnes it would legally pull around half a tonne more than the 2.8-litre Prado.

Mitsubishi’s approach to off-road ability was complex yet very effective. Anyone who reckoned a Pajero Sport couldn’t take you to places a LandCruiser or Patrol could needed to try one of these.

Entitled Super Select II, the four-wheel drive system included lockable centre and rear differentials (GLS and Exceed) with uphill and down-dale assistance and tidy ride/handling via Mitsubishi’s combination of all-coil springing and a beam rear axle.

Standard features across the Sport range included keyless entry, an electric parking brake, 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. Climbing a step to the GLS added leather upholstery and dual-zone air-conditioning. Spending up on an Exceed accessed the uprated entertainment system including DVD players for those trapped in the back, and powered and heated front seats.

Also included was a Multi Monitor system of external cameras to watch blind spots, keep the car in its lane and provide a disconcerting bird’s eye view to help with parking in tight spots. There was also a collision mitigation system which warned the driver and even applied the brakes to avoid rear-enders.

Safety by 2015 was a big deal for everyone and especially for those buying the Pajero Sport as commercial vehicles. A five-star result in ANCAP testing was easy pickings for the Sport and that ranking helped attract corporate customers who may have been suffering ‘duty-of-care’ concerns.

During its first few years of existence, the Pajero Sport didn’t change a great deal and prices moved only a little as well. An almost immediate upgrade during 2016 added seven-seat accommodation for GLS and Exceed models plus minor interior enhancements. For 2019 there was a Black Edition looking very menacing with ultra-dark glass and full of goodies for $51,750 plus ORCs.

Your typical test drive, be it via a dealership or private seller, is unlikely to allow the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport to be taken off a sealed surface, let alone tested in sand, over rocks or in the snow.

However, there are plenty of in-depth reports and videos on carsales.com.au that confirm its ability to go almost anywhere.

Occupant accommodation is an aspect of the design which can feasibly be evaluated under real-world conditions, so drag the kids along and usher them aboard. Only the most truculent of teens will fail to be impressed, even if the budget can only fund a cloth-trimmed GLX.

The rear seat has a decent shape to it; not too upright in the backrest and complemented by excellent legroom and adequate headroom. The seven-seat option provides versatility but pinches a lot of storage space. Early five-seat versions didn’t have rear-section air vents either.

Front seat occupants in an Exceed enjoy the kind of pampering you might find in an $80,000 luxury sedan, with nice supple leather, electric seat adjustments and Mitsubishi’s powerful climate control air-con.

Around town the 2.4-litre with its eight speeds has terrific low-end urge. You won’t get left behind as in some diesels when leaving the lights, and cruising in fifth is almost silent. Their only reported flaw concerns hill starts when hauling a heavy load and when the 2.4 takes some time to hit its stride.

Using a Pajero Sport off-road is simplicity personified and perhaps can lead to over-confidence from inexperienced 4WDers.

Taking the scenic route home was possible due to a choice of transmission settings including an ultra-low 4LLc for really rough terrain. The combination of coil springs and a live rear axle delivers decent ride quality plus excellent articulation when battling rocks or rugged tracks.

Lack of clearance is your worst problem, and even then Mitsubishi offered underbody protection for those owners who really want to give their vehicle a bit of a pizzling on rock-strewn tracks. Aftermarket accessory shops have them too.

Loosely packed sand needs to be treated with caution, and with the four-function selector in the right position to minimise wheelspin. With fewer turns lock-to-lock than older Pajeros, the Sport is less likely to let you forget which way the wheels are pointing in sand or mud.

The Pajero Sport leans a bit in bends when being pushed along, but even journalists in search of handling flaws reported acceptable levels of body roll, good grip levels and excellent braking stability. There’s even a Tow Assist feature that helps you keep the van or boat tracking straight when all it wants to do is wobble.

Working a Sport hard or trundling in traffic will send fuel consumption towards 10L/100km. However, on the highway with just a couple of people aboard, 7-8L/100km is easy.

>> Ground clearance is good with short ramp angles but check any Pajero you’re considering for underbody damage. Vulnerable areas include the front stone tray, chassis outriggers, sills and rear pan.

>> Look while underneath at the driveshafts and especially the rubber boots enclosing shaft joints. These may tear and allow contaminants into the joints, causing noise and eventual seizure as the grease drains away.

>> Diesels with chains running their camshafts are more reliable than other engines with rubber timing belts but aren’t immune from problems. However, an engine will usually need to have done a decent distance or been neglected before faults manifest. Chain tensioners wear, causing noise at start-up and sometimes allowing the chain to jump a tooth. Camshafts also wear and get noisy, requiring time-consuming adjustment by a workshop with the correct equipment.

>> Some owners report harsh transmission downshifts when travelling slowly. Fluid needs to be changed every 60,000km and at 30,000km if the vehicle does a lot of heavy-duty driving.

>> Leather trim if neglected can look shabby and tired leather can lop significant money off the vehicle price. Damage in the cargo area is a sign of a hard life and a Pajero to probably avoid.

Used vehicle grading for Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 13/20
Score: 72/100