Mitsubishi has officially scheduled the global debut of the all-new Pajero for 2nd September 2026, with commercial rollout across markets expected from early 2027. The fifth-generation SUV returns to a ladder-frame, body-on-frame chassis derived from the Triton pickup, aiming to restore the model’s hardcore off-road image with tech inspired by its Dakar heritage.
The Pajero name has been part of Mitsubishi’s SUV story since 1981, with the first-generation model establishing its reputation as a serious off-roader. Over four generations, the Pajero became a familiar sight in markets including Japan, Australia, and across Asia, while its rally exploits further cemented its reputation. More than 3.29 million units were produced before the fourth-generation model finally went out of production in 2021.
In Nepal, Mitsubishi already sells the Pajero and the closely related Pajero Sport at the very top of its SUV range. The new Pajero, if and when it reaches our market, would almost certainly sit above or alongside today’s Pajero Sport and near the Outlander PHEV, Outlander, Eclipse Cross, and Xpander, keeping it firmly in premium territory, but no prices for these models are stated in the available sources.
The upcoming Pajero switches back to a ladder-frame platform shared with the Triton, paired with Mitsubishi’s S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) four-wheel-drive system, and is expected to offer Super Select 4WD-II, with selectable 2WD, full-time AWD, and low-range modes. Multiple drive modes such as Eco, Normal, Gravel, Sand, Snow, Mud, and Rock are anticipated, and there is talk of a dedicated off-road variant pitched against models like the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
On the powertrain side, Mitsubishi has been developing diesel-hybrid setups, and the new Pajero is widely expected to get a diesel hybrid initially, with possible PHEV and full-electric versions later in selected markets. Teasers show vertically stacked pixel-style lighting, a 14.3-inch central screen with a 3-gauge homage widget, semi-aniline leather upholstery (S-EXCEED grade), ventilated seats, and a centre console hosting a 4WD dial, transfer-case controls, hill-descent control, and rear differential lock.
The new Pajero will initially go on sale in Thailand, Japan, and Australia by the end of March 2027. It measures 4,920mm in length, 1,925mm in width, and 1,910mm in height, with a 2,870mm wheelbase and 230mm ground clearance. The SUV offers seating for seven passengers and features dual 14.3-inch screens and a four-spoke steering wheel. Power comes from a 2.4-liter turbocharged diesel engine producing 201 BHP and 480Nm of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system.
The Pajero has a strong legacy in Nepal, not only for its off-road capabilities but also due to its association with a controversial tax exemption scandal in 1996, involving lawmakers who misused the facility to import Pajeros for personal gain. This controversy made the Pajero name particularly familiar in Nepal.
For Asian markets, launch windows being discussed centre on early 2027, but no launch date, price, or variant confirmation has been announced for Nepal yet. For now, Nepali buyers interested in a big ladder-frame Mitsubishi SUV will continue to look at the existing Pajero and Pajero Sport, while watching how the new Pajero is priced in key right-hand-drive markets like Thailand, Japan, and, potentially, India — factors that often shape eventual pricing and feasibility here.
Writes on vehicle pricing, taxation and the Nepali auto market from ongoing tracking of distributor price lists. Every price in this piece is read live from the Nepal AutoMart catalog — how we verify prices.
