Decades of Innovation: Tracing the Evolution of the Mitsubishi Pajero from 1982 to 2023

The Mitsubishi Pajero also known as Mitsubishi Montero or Shogun is an SUV produced by Mitsubishi Motors in 1981 for four generations till 2021 when it was discontinued. The Pajero is known for its robust, durable, reliable, efficient, and luxurious SUVs. Now, let's look at the forty good years of the Pajero.

2023

The 2023 Pajero Sport has a solid and rough visage featuring dynamic shield front facia, chrome trims, rounded edges, and alloy wheels. The Pajero Sport offers an infotainment system, instrument cluster with analog gauges and a digital display at the center, plastic finishing, a shifter, a center console, and a piano black finishing. The 2023 Pajero Sport is powered by 2.4-liter (4N15) Variable Geometry Turbocharged (VGT) MIVEC diesel engine with 178hp and 317lb-ft of torque linked to a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission.

2007 ~ 2021

This model was available in 3- (SWB) or 5-door (LWB) models with three-slat chromed grille, HID headlights, a sloped roofline with roof rails available, flared wheel arches, body-colored mirrors, and alloy wheels. The interior includes a modern dashboard, instrument cluster, infotainment system, and LCD.  The three-door (SWB) offers 5 seats while the LWB has 7 seats. The cabin is big and can accommodate adults, while the third row is suitable for kids. There is room for luggage with all rear seats used and can expand about 1700+ liters of cargo room with all seats folded down. Engines include a turbocharged 3.2-liter or 2.4-liter 4-cylinder diesel, and a 3.8-liter V6 petrol engine. A 4WD system with three differentials and can also operate as an on-demand AWD system.

2000 ~ 2006

The V60 Pajero has a rugged and durable feel with flared and squared arches featuring body cladding, side hinge tailgate with a spare tire, and 16-inch wheels. SWB offers four seats while the LWB has five or seven with wide, firm, and supportive front seats. Cabin features door pockets, climate control, and an audio system with a 60/40 split second-row seat that can recline or collapsible, and a removable third-row seat. The cargo capacity is 215 liters for the SWB model while the LWB model has 415 liters and maximum 1700 liters.

Engines offer 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter V6 petrol and the turbocharged 2.5-liter and 2.8-liter diesel. Mitsubishi introduced the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (Mitsubishi Challenger) with the release of the third-generation Pajero. It was based on the Strada/Colt/L200, targeting customers who wanted a smaller version of the larger Pajero.

1991 ~ 1999

The 1991 Pajero had a bigger body in LWB and SWB featuring flat facia with a slightly tilted three-slat horizontal grille flanked by big square headlights. On the sides, plastic moldings extend to the rear with wheel arches. The cabin is spacious with cloth upholstery, instruments and center stack with an altimeter, a compass, and a display of the car’s pitch and roll angle.

The engines were the 3.0-liter V6 petrol and the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel. The 3.5-liter V6 petrol and the turbocharged 2.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel were added later. The SWB model has smaller room for cargo while the LWB model has 842 liters of cargo capacity.

1982 ~ 1990

The Pajero was available as a three-door, short-wheelbase SUV with a soft canvas top or hardtop. In 1983, a five-door LWB Pajero model was introduced with a Semi-High Roof or High Roof body style as standard. The short wheel-base Pajero offered in three optional engines: 4-cylinder engines include a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol or 2.3-liter diesel, and a naturally aspirated 2.6-liter petrol. 

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

In 2015, the third generation Pajero Sport was revealed offering a 7.0-inch infotainment system, powered leather-contoured seats, a dual-zone climate control system, and optional third-row seats. Exterior features shorter taillights, dynamic shield front fascia with a dual-layer headlight setting, and a hands-free powered tailgate. Engines are turbocharged 2.4-liter or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder diesel and a 3.0-liter V6 petrol. The Mitsubishi Pajero kept on becoming better and better, but the production stopped in 2019, an end to a 40-year success story. 

The Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution (V55W) was built from 1997 to 1999 with only 2693 units built. It features ultra-wide fenders on the side, rear winglets, a front diving board bumper with “EVOLUTION”, and a silver paint coat. Inside, it offers genuine Recaro seats, a gauge cluster, and HVAC controls, equipped with 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 with 276 hp.

Mitsubishi Pajero Mini

It came with small round headlamps and a chunky grille and upgraded to heterogeneous twin-lens headlights and a two-bar knit grille. Exterior includes black-trimmed bumpers, steel wheels, and wing mirrors. The interior offers four-spoke steering wheel, air conditioner with rotary control knobs, and a glove box. The Mini is a three-door four-seat vehicle with small cargo area but can be configured depending on passenger numbers.

The Pajero Mini has been equipped with a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 0.7-liter inline 4-cylinder petrol engine. The 4WD model features Mitsubishi’s Easy Select all-wheel-drive system that can select two-wheel or four-wheel drive modes, at the touch of a lever. The Pajero Mini offers an average fuel consumption of around 14km/L for urban use and 25km/L on the highway.

Finally

The Mitsubishi Pajero has been around for about 40 years and one of the outstanding 4×4 SUVs for many years. It is reliable, durable, practical, and a true off-roading vehicle. Check the Mitsubishi Pajero stocklist now to see more available models.