Mitsubishi Pajero returns: Japan launch confirmed for December 17 as pre-orders top 5,500

December 17 launch and strong order book

Mitsubishi Motors confirmed on October 29 that the all-new Pajero, its flagship cross-country SUV, will go on sale at dealerships across Japan on December 17. Japan will receive four grades: Super Exceed and Exceed, positioned with flagship-grade equipment, and GSR and GLS, which the company says emphasise the qualities of an authentic cross-country SUV. ¹²

Japanese list prices were set at 6,193,000 yen for the GLS, 6,765,000 yen for the GSR, 6,930,000 yen for the Exceed and 7,950,800 yen for the Super Exceed, all including 10 per cent consumption tax and excluding recycling fees, insurance and registration costs. ²

Pre-orders opened on October 1, and Mitsubishi Motors reports approximately 5,500 units had been ordered as of October 28, which it says surpasses the fiscal 2026 sales target (April 2026 to March 2027) and marks a strong start for the model. ¹²

"We are delighted to deliver the all-new Pajero to customers in Japan who have been eagerly awaiting its arrival," said Keisuke Kishiura, president and chief operating officer of Mitsubishi Motors, adding that the model had been well received in Thailand where it is already on sale. ¹²

Thailand first, then Japan and Australia

The Pajero's global rollout began in Thailand, where sales started on October 19. Mitsubishi Motors says the model is built at its Laem Chabang plant in Chonburi Province, a hub it describes as central to its global production and export strategy with long experience building ladder-frame models. Shipments this fiscal year cover Thailand plus Australia and Japan, with both export markets scheduled to begin sales in mid-December. ³⁴⁹⁶

Thai pricing, reported by Kompas.com, starts at 1,499,000 baht for the GLS, 1,699,000 baht for the GSR and 1,999,000 baht for the Super Exceed. From fiscal 2027 (April 2027 to March 2028), Mitsubishi plans to roll the Pajero out sequentially to roughly 100 countries and regions, including the Middle East and Latin America. ⁵⁴

Japan Forward reported that the fifth-generation Pajero made its world premiere in Tokyo on September 2, with Mitsubishi targeting 10,000 sales in fiscal 2026 and planning to expand the Pajero series with compact and small SUVs. Cumulative production of the first four generations exceeded 3.25 million units across more than 170 countries, but Japanese-market production ended in 2019 amid sluggish sales. ⁷

Australian pricing and specification

For Australia, CarExpert reporting published via 7NEWS details 2027 Pajero pricing from $68,490 before on-road costs in three grades: GLS (five seats, or seven for $1500 more at $69,990), Exceed at $79,990 and flagship GSR at $84,990, all plus on-road costs, with first local deliveries from December. CarExpert notes the entry price sits below the Toyota Prado (from $73,200 plus ORCs) but above the Isuzu MU-X (from $49,900) and Ford Everest (from $58,990), and about $13,500 above the final previous-generation Pajero's 2021 price. These are Australian figures and differ from the Japanese four-grade lineup and yen pricing. ⁸

According to CarExpert's Australian specification report, local Pajeros use a new-generation version of the Triton's 2.4-litre 4N16 diesel producing 150kW and 480Nm, meeting Euro 6d standards for the first time in a Mitsubishi engine, with an 80-litre fuel tank, 17 litres of AdBlue capacity, 3500kg braked towing capacity and a conditional 10-year/200,000km warranty. It is built in Thailand alongside the Triton on an enhanced ladder frame with a 2870mm wheelbase, double-wishbone front and five-link coil-sprung live rear axle suspension. ⁸

Japanese-market powertrain and chassis detail

Mitsubishi Motors' Japanese specifications detail a 2.4-litre clean diesel turbo engine producing a maximum 150kW at 3500rpm and 480Nm from 1750 to 2500rpm (470Nm on select specifications), paired with a wide-range eight-speed automatic with Sport mode. Fuel economy is stated at 12.1km/L in WLTC mode. The vehicle measures 4920mm long, 1925mm wide and 1910mm high (1900mm for GSR and GLS), with a cabin 2775mm long, 1575mm wide and 1235mm high. ²¹

The ladder frame uses expanded high-tensile steel, increased cross-section and revised cross members for high torsional and bending rigidity with controlled weight, with suspension comprising double-wishbone front and a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle. Models on 20-inch tyres offer 230mm of ground clearance and approach, breakover and departure angles of 30.4, 22.6 and 25.8 degrees respectively, figures Mitsubishi notes are based on in-house measurement. ¹²

All-wheel-drive hardware includes Super Select 4WD-II with 2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc modes, integrated by Super-All Wheel Control with Active Yaw Control, Active Stability and Traction Control and ABS, plus seven drive modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock. ¹²

Equipment, safety and design recognition

Japanese-market safety equipment includes MI-PILOT highway single-lane driving assistance, a 3D Multi Around Monitor and a front under-floor view, plus Mitsubishi e-Assist features such as Forward Collision Mitigation with junction assist, Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication, a first-for-Mitsubishi Emergency Lane Assist and Front Cross Traffic Alert. Eight airbags include an SRS centre airbag, also a first for the brand. ¹²

Comfort features include seat ventilation on the Super Exceed, seat heating across the top three grades, acoustic glass in the windscreen and door windows, and a Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate 12-speaker audio system jointly developed with Yamaha for the Super Exceed. Design cues draw on earlier Pajeros, including C-pillars inspired by the first generation's roll bar and a hexagonal tailgate motif referencing the rear-mounted spare tyres of previous models. ¹²

Mitsubishi Motors states the all-new Pajero received the 2026 Good Design Award, with the awarding body's winner page cited in the company's release. Body colours include two new shades, Armor Copper Metallic and Phantom Blue Metallic, with 11 options available on the Super Exceed including four two-tone combinations. ¹²