Key highlights:
- 5th-gen Pajero debuts September 2 ahead of Australian showroom arrival by the end of 2026
- Triton-derived ladder-frame chassis and new S-AWC full-time 4WD system confirmed
- Hybrid powertrain planned alongside new-generation technology and safety features
The 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero is about to make its return to Australia, but the revived nameplate will be substantially different from the Pajero that ended production in 2021. Mitsubishi will reveal the fifth-generation Pajero on September 2, 2026, ahead of its expected Australian showroom arrival before the end of the year.
The new Pajero will effectively replace the Pajero Sport in Mitsubishi’s Australian SUV line-up and will compete with established off-roaders including the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X. Mitsubishi has already confirmed several major changes, while leaks, government filings and previous announcements provide a clearer picture of what Australian buyers can expect.
Here are five of the biggest changes coming to the new Mitsubishi Pajero.
Read more: 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero to debut on September 2 in Australia
1. A bigger and tougher Triton-derived foundation
The new Mitsubishi Pajero is set to be a larger and more substantial SUV, with Mitsubishi moving the nameplate onto a tougher foundation than the previous generation.
Unlike the previous Pajero, which used monocoque construction, the new model will adopt a heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis derived from the Mitsubishi Triton ute. This gives the Pajero a bigger, more rugged foundation and moves it closer to large off-road SUVs such as the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest. The change also marks a major departure from the previous Pajero and the Pajero Sport it effectively replaces. Rather than being based on a car-like SUV platform, the new Pajero will share its basic architecture with Mitsubishi’s latest-generation ute.
However, Mitsubishi is not simply turning the Triton into an SUV. The company has confirmed model-specific development of the cabin and front and rear suspension, suggesting the Pajero will have its own ride and handling characteristics. The larger SUV is also expected to use a version of the Triton’s 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine, which produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-market Triton.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is also expected, replacing the Triton’s six-speed automatic and giving the Pajero a more sophisticated drivetrain than the ute on which its platform is based.
2. A hybrid powertrain is planned
The new Mitsubishi Pajero will launch with combustion power, but the brand has already confirmed plans for a hybrid Pajero. The electrified powertrain is not expected to be available when the new-generation SUV arrives in Australia. Mitsubishi is reportedly targeting around 2030 for the hybrid version.
The Japanese carmaker is currently prioritising development of a hybrid Triton, which is expected to pave the way for further electrification across its SUV and ute range. Mitsubishi has also said it is investigating an electric Pajero, although there is no confirmed timing for a fully electric version.
For Australian buyers, that means the 2027 Pajero will initially remain focused on conventional power, with hybrid and potentially electric technology to follow later in its lifecycle.
3. Modern interior & features
The new Mitsubishi Pajero will also receive a significant technology upgrade compared with its predecessors. The full Australian equipment list has not yet been announced, but the new SUV is expected to bring a range of modern features, including advanced driver assistance technology and a more sophisticated infotainment system.
A panoramic sunroof and AI-assisted voice commands are also expected to feature, helping give the new Pajero a more up-to-date cabin. Mitsubishi has already confirmed another feature aimed specifically at off-road enthusiasts. The new Pajero will bring back digital off-road information displays, showing information including altitude, compass heading, ambient temperature, vehicle pitch and torque distribution.
The system takes inspiration from the off-road information displays used in earlier generations of the Pajero. Mitsubishi is yet to confirm the final Australian screen sizes and infotainment specifications.
4. A new S-AWC four-wheel-drive system
The new Mitsubishi Pajero’s four-wheel-drive system will also be significantly different from the system used by the outgoing Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi has confirmed the new SUV will use the latest version of its Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.
The system goes beyond the Super Select II four-wheel-drive system previously used by the Pajero Sport and is designed to provide full-time four-wheel drive with more sophisticated control of traction. That should give the new Pajero a stronger technical foundation for off-road driving while also improving its ability to manage changing road surfaces.
For an SUV returning to Australia’s large off-road market, the four-wheel-drive system will be particularly important. The Pajero will need to compete with established models such as the Toyota LandCruiser Prado and Ford Everest, both of which have strong reputations for off-road capability.
5. More advanced safety technology
The fifth-generation Pajero is also expected to bring a substantial upgrade in safety technology. The new model is expected to feature a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), bringing the Pajero closer to the latest safety standards and technology offered by its competitors in Australia.
Expected systems include features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-support technology and blind-spot monitoring, although Mitsubishi has not yet released the complete Australian specification. The new safety technology will be particularly important as the Pajero returns to a market where large SUVs increasingly combine off-road capability with sophisticated driver assistance systems.
Mitsubishi is expected to reveal more details about the Pajero’s safety equipment alongside its full Australian specifications.
The new Mitsubishi Pajero is more than a nameplate revival
The 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero represents a major change for one of Mitsubishi’s best-known nameplates. The move to a Triton-derived ladder-frame chassis, the new S-AWC four-wheel-drive system, upgraded technology and more advanced safety equipment will give the Pajero a very different character from the previous generation.
Mitsubishi will offer the new Pajero in Australia across GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR grades, with the GLS and Exceed expected to be available with both five- and seven-seat configurations. More details, including Australian pricing, final specifications and equipment levels, are expected when the new Mitsubishi Pajero is officially revealed on September 2, 2026.
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