Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2016 Review

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS and Exceed
Road Test

Not long after introducing the five-seat only Pajero Sport, Mitsubishi has added third-row seating to the top two variants, along with full length curtain airbags for safety. Pricing hasn’t changed, so you’re now getting even better value for one of the better spec’ed, ute-based, off-road SUVs on the market. But can you fit two adults in the third row? Let’s find out…

One of the biggest surprises at the Australian launch of the new Pajero Sport in late-2015, was the unavailability of a seven-seat version, unlike most of its ute-based SUV rivals. That’s despite the rear cargo area with its side-mounted cup holders, clearly set up for third-row passengers!

Perhaps providing evidence that carrying people in the boot is not a priority for many SUV buyers, the five-seat Pajero Sport has clocked up an impressive 3000-plus sales to the mid-point of 2016; more than the Ford Everest and Holden Colorado 7, and just less than the Toyota Fortuner.

Nonetheless, for those with growing families or a liking for carting friends and grand-parents on day trips, Mitsubishi recently announced a seven-seat version of the Pajero Sport for Australia.

The good news for those who still only want the five seats and the slightly larger cargo space that comes with it, the entry-level GLX remains a five-seater only, while the leather-lined GLS and Exceed variants are now exclusively seven seaters.

So how does the Pajero Sport rate as a seven seater? We drove both GLS and Exceed variants, back to back, to guage how the third row works in practice, as well as how they compare on a value-for-money basis.

Like the Isuzu MU-X and Holden Trailblazer, the Mitsubishi’s two, third-row seats fold flat into the rear floor, albeit at a raised height that cuts into cargo capacity.

The set-up is slightly different, with two straps at the back of each third-row seat that you pull to release both the separate seatback and seat base. The only issue we could see was that with the seat base stowed upright, reclining the second-row seatbacks pushed them rearwards, cutting further into cargo space.

However, with the second row’s 60:40 split ‘fold and tumble’ seats out of the way, the third-row seat bases can be folded flat the other way, making a nice even load space for carrying bikes or other large items.

As far as head and leg-room in the third row goes, the Pajero Sport sits in between the MU-X and Trailblazer (excellent) and the Fortuner (cramped). Two adults can squeeze into the seats, but taller types will get a crook neck thanks to the sloping roofline. The seat bases are angled up to help raise the knees, but it’s still best only for kids on extended trips.

However, there are cup holders and a 12-volt socket handy to third-row passengers (but no 12-volt socket in the second row). Also worth noting is that curtain airbags run all the way to the third row, as do the roof-mounted climate control vents.

Getting into the third row is easy with ‘fold and tumble’ second-row seats, which when being used are not adjustable fore/aft. There’s slightly less leg and head-room than some of its rivals in the outboard seats, which will only be an issue for tall adults. Like many SUVs, the middle, second-row seat is hard and elevated.

There’s a cargo box for carrying smaller items also fitted under the floor, but otherwise you’ll only fit a few shopping bags in the back with the third row in play. But that’s par for the course with these types of vehicles. If it’s an issue, buy a people mover.

As far as the rest of the package goes, for once we’re going to agree with the manufacturer’s marketing ‘guff’ that says the Pajero Sport offers “exceptional value and performance”. In our experience it’s about the only proper, 4WD family wagon on the market under $50K that looks and feels like a car built in 2016!

It’s not as punchy in a straight line as the Trailblazer, or relaxed on dirt roads as the Fortuner.But it’s just as capable off-road and its car-like interior and styling and fit-out is streets ahead of most of its rivals, as is the incorporation of technology, from an eight speed auto to numerous driver aids.

The ‘Dynamic Shield’ exterior styling is confronting to the conservative off-road set, but we’re warming to it after countless views (Here for more on its on- and off-road capabilities and how it fared in an off-road comparison.

We can also tell you that after hitching up a caravan weighing 2500kg, or about 80 per cent of its 3100kg maximum rating, the Pajero Sport is a capable if somewhat sluggish heavy-duty tow tug.

There was noticeable swaying and pitching of the 2070kg (unladen) tow vehicle during our tow test, albeit on a very windy day.  The sideways movement wasn’t enough to activate the electronic Trailer Sway Assist feature, but was enough to make us slow down to restrict further tail-wagging.

The extra 2.5 tonnes also tested the relatively small four-cylinder engine, which went from consuming a respectable 8.7L/100km ‘solo’ (not far off the official combined figure) to 18.5L/100km (!) when towing. It never laboured, but had to rev pretty hard at times to cope with the big load.

On a more positive note, engine braking down hills was excellent, with down-changing made easy thanks to the large shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

The other good news is that pricing for the Pajero Sport GLS and Exceed hasn’t changed ($48,500 and $52,750 plus ORCs respectively). We reckon that’s a bargain in the ute-based SUV segment, considering the top-spec Fortuner with less kit costs $8000 more, and that the similarly-priced MU-X is far less luxurious.

Although we appreciated the extra electronic driving aids in the top-spec Exceed, like 360-degree 'multi-around monitor' camera (excellent when reversing) and blind-spot warning and forward-collision mitigation (which beep and flash if you do the wrong thing) we reckon the almost as well-equipped, leather-lined, mid-spec GLS is the better buy.

For our money, we’d pocket the $4250 difference and spend it on some thicker bash plates and other off-road accessories, including a good aftermarket, off-road sat-nav unit.

2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS and Exceed pricing and specifications:
Price: $48,500 and $52,750 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 133kW/430Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 2012g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five star (ANCAP)

Also consider:
>> Holden Trailblazer (from $47,990 plus ORCs)
>> Toyota Fortuner (from $47,990 plus ORCs)
>> Ford Everest (from $54,990 plus ORCs)