2027 Mitsubishi Pajero returns as a Triton-based LandCruiser rival

Key takeaways

• Pajero returns riding on the Triton pickup's ladder frame
• S-AWC system brings torque vectoring and seven drive modes
• World premiere expected September 2, Australian launch unconfirmed

Mitsubishi has confirmed new details about the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero ahead of its global reveal this northern autumn. The revived off-roader rides on a ladder-frame chassis borrowed from the Triton ute, positioning it as a genuine rival to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Nissan Patrol. Mitsubishi hasn't confirmed pricing or an Australian launch date, but the Pajero name still carries serious weight locally.

2027 Mitsubishi Pajero returns to its ute-based roots

Mitsubishi has confirmed the new Pajero rides on a ladder-frame chassis derived from the Triton pickup, the same underpinnings used by the Nissan Navara. The automaker says the setup delivers "high road-holding performance" over rough terrain, while a tuned suspension suppresses body movement and vibration on uneven roads.

That combination is designed to deliver genuine off-road capability without turning the cabin into a shaker box on the way there. Mitsubishi is pitching the result as a comfortable long-distance tourer as much as a rock climber.

S-AWC and seven drive modes lift the off-road credentials

Super-All Wheel Control, Mitsubishi's torque-vectoring four-wheel-drive system, headlines the new Pajero's underpinnings. S-AWC optimises the front-to-rear torque split for traction and stability.

In the Triton, the same hardware pairs with a set of driver-selectable configurations:

• 2H (rear-wheel drive)
• 4H (four-wheel drive)
• 4HLc (four-wheel drive with locked centre differential)
• 4LLc (low range with locked centre differential)
• Seven terrain modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock

Expect most of that hardware to transfer directly to the Pajero, alongside a dedicated off-road display showing pitch and roll angles, altitude, compass heading and torque distribution, a nod to the multi-info gauge pod fitted to earlier generations.

Pajero name returns after a five-year break

The Pajero nameplate has been dormant in showrooms since the fourth-generation model retired in 2021. Its predecessors racked up a cumulative 3 million sales globally since the nameplate launched in 1982.

Mitsubishi hasn't confirmed Australian pricing, specifications or an on-sale date. A world premiere is expected on September 2, with reports suggesting the flagship will be followed by smaller derivatives in future years. A North American launch under the Montero name isn't expected before 2030.

Sharing bones with the Triton is a cost move, not a compromise

Mitsubishi didn't need to build the new Pajero from scratch, and choosing not to is the real story here. Borrowing the Triton's ladder frame mirrors how Ford leans on the Ranger for the Everest and Toyota leans on the HiLux for the Fortuner, a strategy that slashes development cost for a manufacturer that can't fund a bespoke platform. That positions the Pajero to compete on off-road hardware and price against the Ford Everest, Toyota Fortuner and Isuzu MU-X in Australia, not the unibody Land Cruiser Prado, and it explains why a 2030 North American debut trails far behind ute-strong markets where the platform already earns its keep.

The Pajero name is walking back into a market it once dominated, but this time on ute bones instead of a bespoke chassis. Whether that trade-off wins back buyers depends on pricing Mitsubishi still hasn't revealed, and a September reveal that's now just weeks away.

Frequently asked questions

When is the new Mitsubishi Pajero being revealed?

Mitsubishi has confirmed a world premiere for the all-new Pajero this northern autumn, with Japanese media reporting a September 2, 2026 debut date.

What platform does the new Mitsubishi Pajero use?

The Pajero rides on a ladder-frame chassis derived from the Triton pickup, the same underlying platform used by the Nissan Navara.

Will the Mitsubishi Pajero be sold in Australia?

Mitsubishi hasn't confirmed Australian pricing or an on-sale date. The Pajero nameplate has been absent from local showrooms since the previous generation was discontinued in 2021.