Top 3 things you need to know about the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

It's quite sad that the long-running full-sized Pajero is coming to the end of its run. Over three generations and a market life of almost four decades, it’s been updated countless times and ended up occupying an entire market slot by itself, because its natural opponents all evolved into more-upmarket segments through the years.

Fortunately, the Pajero Sport, which used to occupy a lower position in the model hierarchy, has grown in size and abilities, and can now comfortably step into the soon-to-be-vacated shoes of its upper-class sibling. Let’s look at the top 3 things you need to know about the latest Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

Related: New vs used Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – what are the top 3 differences?

 

1. Only one engine on offer

First introduced in the 2016 Mitsubishi Triton, the Pajero Sport’s 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel is on the smallish side, but pumps out large enough numbers to convincingly compete with bigger opponents. Peak outputs are rated at 133 kW and 430 Nm – not class-leading, but still close enough to run with the big boys.

It's a very high-tech power unit, mind you: the block and head are both cast in weight-saving aluminium, there are two counter-rotating balance shafts to quell engine vibrations, variable cam timing stretches the power band as wide as possible, and a variable geometry turbocharger cuts down on lag and improves responsiveness.

Related: Get more information about the latest Mitsubishi Pajero Sport facelift here. 

 

2. Very clever automatic gearbox

With this engine mated exclusively with an 8-speed automatic gearbox since this generation of Pajero Sport arrived in 2017, this engine/transmission combination leads to class-competitive on-road performance and impressive fuel efficiency. It’s not a road-burner by any means, but there’s more than enough grunt available to make for effortless performance, in the daily commute and on the open road alike.

Just as importantly, this gearbox is also pretty cleverly designed and smartly programmed. Part of its repertoire of tricks is the ability to provide intermediate gear ratios under certain conditions. By engaging two gearsets (and introducing some slip to their two corresponding clutches) at once, the effective gear ratio is changed to bridge the gap between those two gears. 

This can give up to 10 output gear ratios (8 real and 2 virtual), but without the complexity of fitting more gears into the casing. In response to a very specific query (at the time of launch) regarding the long-term durability of such an arrangement, Mitsubishi stated this functionality was designed into the transmission from the start, so the relevant components were beefed-up in advance and thus will not have a negative impact on the gearbox’s wear rate.

Related: Six things we love about the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

 

3. Class-leading off-road abilities

We’ve extolled the numerous virtues of Mitsubishi’s Super Select II AWD many times before, so suffice it to say that this is still hands-down the best AWD system in its market segment. It offers the normal 2H, 4H and 4L arrangements as you’d find in other 4WD SUVs (the latter two with a fixed 50/50 front/rear power split), but it also features an additional full-time AWD mode, with a variable-split rear-to-front torque distribution. This makes for increased security in low-grip situations, especially at high speeds, and boost traction on wet roads (and directional stability on dirt roads) to a massive degree. 

But, even discounting its superior AWD system, the Pajero Sport has other attributes which elevates it even further above its competitors - and it goes beyond better ground clearance and off-road angles. As with its opponents, a locking rear differential gives traction an extra boost in slippery climbs, but the Pajero Sport leaves them all choking in its dust when it comes to other off-road driver aids. Apart from the terrain response system (which optimises drivetrain mapping and torque management according to the driving surface), 4x4 Pajero Sports also feature hill-start assist and hill-descent control – both of which work in reverse as well as when going forwards. 

The hill-descent control is particularly clever, because its speed is adjustable by simply letting go of both the accelerator and brake pedals when the desired speed is reached. Want to go faster down a hill? Accelerate with the right-hand pedal and then lift off – the car will adjust its crawl speed automatically. Going too fast down a steep and bouncy decline? Simply slow down with the brake pedal until you’re at a suitable speed, and let go of the brake – the car will maintain this speed without further instruction. Very clever and helpful, and intuitive and easy to use.

Related: Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – a luxury SUV bargain, just waiting to be discovered.

 

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Range and Prices

Pajero Sport 2.4Di-D 4x2: R 609 995

Pajero Sport 2.4Di-D 4x4: R 659 995

Pajero Sport 2.4Di-D 4x4 Exceed: R 689 995

* Pricing and variant designations were accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice.

 

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