Progress through the years
After 39 years and 4 generations, Mitsubishi decided that it was time to axe the long-running Pajero in 2021. The Pajero could not match the sales volumes of the newer Pajero Sport, which has had a steady stream of loyal buyers, who won’t settle for anything else. In fact, current Pajero owners are likely to buy a new one while keeping the older one, when the time comes to replace it.
Related: Mitsubishi Pajero 3-door 3.2DI-D GLS Legend II
It’s easy to understand why: The Pajero is one of the last really rugged, properly off-road-capable luxury SUVs still around because most of its opponents have either switched to an on-road bias or moved so far upmarket that they’re now way outside their erstwhile competitor’s playing field. While the Pajero’s skeleton is twenty years old, it did receive a number of significant updates through the years. To simplify matters, we’ll chart this range’s evolution at the hand of its two main facelifts.
1. Revised Engines for 2006
Mitsubishi refers to the 2006 model year Pajero as the fourth generation. This is a bit of a stretch, as the body shell, suspension and interior design remained largely unchanged from the 1999 edition. However, its engines received a series of upgrades, with the 3.5-litre petrol V6 disappearing from our market (leaving the 3.8-litre as the only petrol variant). In contrast, the 3.2-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel Di-D received common-rail fuel injection.
2. Cosmetic enhancements and safety spec additions
Other improvements at this time were mostly cosmetic and safety-related, thanks to redesigned light clusters at both ends, added side- and curtain airbags, and an improved stability control system. This range was revised again in 2010 (in South Africa), when the 3.2 Di-D received an output bump, giving it 140 kW and 441 Nm.
3. LED Daytime Running Lights and another round of cosmetic surgery
The second update happened in 2015, when the bodyshell was redesigned slightly (to increase its stiffness), and can most easily be identified by its LED daytime running lamps. Somewhere around 2011, the V6 petrol was dropped from the model range, leaving the 3.2 Di-D as the sole motivation ever since.
The durable and torquey diesel plant remained mated to a 5-speed tiptronic-style gearbox, which makes for gentlemanly, rather than storming, performance. Super Select II all-wheel drive/4WD remained the only drivetrain available, but that’s not a bad thing, seeing as this selectable AWD/4WD system remains one of the best around, to this day.
4. Range rationalisation and added value
With the 2015 facelift, the range was rationalised to a single short-wheelbase (3-door) variant in high-level GLS trim, and two long-wheelbase (5-door) derivatives in either GLS or GLS Exceed trim. Numerous limited-edition specials have been periodically introduced since then, with most of them receiving the "Legend" badging in some form or other.
Standard equipment on GLS variants included leather upholstery, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, the rearview camera, rear parking sensors, variable intermittent windscreen wipers, front and rear fog lights, black roof rails, mud flaps, a multi-function steering wheel, voice control, cruise control, automatic climate control, rear air conditioning control (LWB only), and a radio/CD/MP3 touch screen audio system with USB-, Bluetooth-, and Aux support.
The range-topping Exceed variant adds a 12-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system, Xenon headlights with washers, 18-inch alloy wheels, a tilt-slide panoramic sunroof, and a wood/leather combination steering wheel. However, as soon as the stock ran out, the normal LWB GLS derivative was dropped from the price list, slimming the range down to only one variant in each wheelbase, with a R100 000 difference between their price tags.
Range in 2019
| Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 Di-D SWB GLS | R 699 995 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 Di-D LWB GLS Exceed | R 799 995 |
Current range as of 2023
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D | R 789 990 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D Aspire | R 809 990 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D 4x4 | R 839 990 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D 4x4 Aspire | R 859 990 |
| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4DI-D 4x4 Exceed | R 874 990 |
* Pricing is accurate at the time of writing, but may change without any prior notice.
