The present-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport off-road 4×4 is getting in the direction of the top of its run, with a brand new mannequin set to look quickly primarily based on the new-gen Triton.
The present mannequin, while not the final phrase in modernity, stays a preferred providing amongst consumers after a household wagon constructed for off-road adventures and towing.
As ever, the ladder-frame Pajero Sport competes with different rugged pickup-based SUVs such because the spectacular new Ford Everest, the big-selling Isuzu MU-X, the left-of-centre SsangYong Rexton, and the Toyota Fortuner and Prado.
Mitsubishi has tinkered with the Pajero Sport recurrently all through its life-cycle, with the newest instance having minor updates made in April this 12 months.
The newest Pajero Sport good points options resembling a tyre strain monitoring system and new color choices, together with the brash Impulse Blue Metallic on our take a look at automobile.
It’s wonderful what a distinction some new paint makes. Nearly sufficient to make the considerably awkward-looking Mitsubishi a head-turner.
How does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport fare vs its rivals?
View an in depth breakdown of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in opposition to equally sized automobiles.
Mitsubishi
Pajero Sport
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS value?
We’re driving what might be the decide of the Pajero Sport line-up; the mid-range GLS variant. This model sits a rung above the bottom GLX, and under the Exceed and GSR.
The worth equation isn’t too unhealthy in context. A Pajero Sport GLS is about $6000 cheaper than a mid-range Isuzu MU-X LS-U and about $10,000 cheaper than a mid-range Ford Everest Development at RRP.
2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport pricing:
- Pajero Sport GLX 4×2: $44,940
- Pajero Sport GLS 4×2: $50,190
- Pajero Sport GLX 4×4: $49,490
- Pajero Sport GLS 4×4: $55,190
- Pajero Sport Exceed 4×4: $60,690
- Pajero Sport GSR 4×4: $62,440
All costs listed are earlier than on-road prices
What’s the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS like on the within?
The Pajero Sport’s shared lineage with the Triton is pretty apparent on the within, with loads of utilitarian trims used on the doorways and sprint. Nevertheless, the construct high quality or fit-and-finish is hard to fault.
Mitsubishi has livened-up the atmosphere with padding on the transmission tunnel, tender leather-like trim on the doorways and console lid, silver and shiny black inserts (the latter a magnet for scratches and glare), and a really fetching leather-wrapped steering wheel with wise button controls and chunky paddle shifters.
It’s extra ‘workhorse stylish’ than deluxe household SUV, however contemplate the goal purchaser and contemplate this automobile’s true off-road functionality.
From the properly padded powered leather-based driver’s seat (optionally available as detailed under) you’re introduced with each rake and attain wheel adjustment and a easy cluster of analogue gauges and a small journey knowledge readout – however no digital pace show.
Above your proper knee is the starter button, and also you’ll discover the OEM-fitted Redarc trailer brake-controller. To your left you’ll see an 8.0-inch touchscreen with a trailer, and parking-friendly surround-view digicam, plus wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and traditional satellite-navigation.
The house menu’s tiles are quite simple to function. It doesn’t really feel significantly new or flashy when it comes to consumer expertise or processing inputs, however actually it does the job simply tremendous. It must be mentioned; although, that the Ford Everest’s multimedia system is quicker, extra succesful, and designed for normal updates.
Beneath the local weather controls with a ’90s-style orange font (hey, there’s no ambiguity!) are two USB ports, a 12V socket, and oddly sufficient an HDMI enter. There’s additionally a button to change on the diff lock.
The again seats are trimmed in very nice leather-based as per the entrance and provide loads of under-thigh help. Facilities embrace roof-mounted AC vents and seize handles, rear USB ports (4 within the cabin all up), and a helpful 220V energy socket. Plus there are pockets in every seat-back and a flip-down armrest with cupholders.
Sturdy seize handles on the B-pillars and facet steps make clambering in simpler, and there’s house for 2 adults of most heights – or three children. It’s on the slender facet; nevertheless, and the elevated seat peak means headroom is a bit tight for taller folks like myself (193cm or 6ft 4).
The third row of seats is helpful to have for emergencies, however to be sincere they’re finest utilized by children solely. The ‘sporty’ design additionally means these rear home windows are slender and never the simplest to see out of. The seats do fold down into the ground when not in use; although, as the photographs present not fairly as neatly as in lots of SUVs.
The additional seating row does affect boot house although. The bottom GLX with 5 seats has 673 litres of capability; whereas, with the third row folded the seven-seater solely has 502L. With the third row in use this shrinks to 131L. With second and third rows folded you get practically 1500L.
The boot in five-seater mode measures 1370mm lengthy by 885mm tall by 1000mm between the wheel arch covers. A full-size spare tyre is mounted beneath the automobile.
What’s below the bonnet?
All Pajero Sports activities use the identical engine; a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with peak outputs of 133kW and 430Nm, mated to an eight-speed automated with paddles.
The GLX and GLS may be ordered with 4×2 (rear-wheel drive) however the majority of consumers go for the 4×4 model with a rear diff lock.
It runs Mitsubishi’s nifty Tremendous Choose II 4WD system which provides fuel-saving rear-wheel drive (2H) and full-time 4WD (4H) fashions.
For off-roading there’s a 4HLc mode (high-range 4WD with a locked centre diff for 50:50 torque break up), and conventional low-range (4L).
Gas consumption is a claimed 8.0 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle and the tank holds 68L.
Mitsubishi claims a 3100kg braked trailer most towing capability, a 2775kg gross automobile mass (which means a 571kg most payload as soon as the unladen mass is added) and a 5565kg gross mixture mass.
It’s value noting that each the MU-X and Everest, its two fundamental rivals, provide diesels with extra energy and torque, 3.5t towing capacities, and larger payloads and GCMs. This partly explains why the Pajero Sport is cheaper.
How does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS drive?
Whereas the Pajero Sport shares its ladder body with the Triton, Mitsubishi has swapped out the ute’s rear leaf springs in favour of coils with three linkages and a stabiliser bar. It additionally modifications the Triton’s six-speed auto for an eight-speed unit.
The two.4-litre diesel engine is down on energy and torque in opposition to its fundamental rivals, and its kerb weight of 2204kg is on par with the 140kW and 450Nm Isuzu MU-X. There’s some rattling and vibration at idle however the refinement ranges aren’t too unhealthy for what it’s.
Efficiency is leisurely, with a 0-100km/h time of 11.7 seconds on our Vbox, and an overtaking (80-120km/h) take a look at time of 9.2s with two occupants.
The transmission is keen to vary up a gear as shortly as it may possibly to protect gasoline, however kicks down decisively, and may be overridden with these large metallic paddle shifters. Total it did a great and unobtrusive job.
By way of gasoline effectivity we averaged 9.8L/100km, which is definitely strong for a automobile this measurement, regardless of lacking the ADR declare.
Observe the towing capability can also be some 400kg decrease than the MU-X and Everest, and its wheelbase barely shorter. The Pajero Sport is right for boat or caravan homeowners, however heavy responsibility towers have higher choices.
Being designed for off-roading, the suspension may be very tender, the trade-off being fairly common physique management over undulations, with an inclination to drift. There’s additionally plenty of physique roll in corners, which means the ‘Sport’ in ‘Pajero Sport’ is a meaningless bit of selling.
The hydraulic steering is kind of heavy at low speeds subsequent to the MU-X or Everest, however on the counter this tends to provide you extra really feel of the highway or path.
Total we skilled fairly good highway noise suppression even with these chunky Toyo Open Nation A32 tyres.
One space the place the Pajero Sport is undeniably good is off the overwhelmed path. It has 218mm clearance, 30 diploma strategy and 24 departure angles, 700mm wading depth capability, and an 11.2m turning circle.
The 4×4 system comes with 50:50 high-range, variable full-time 4WD utilizing traction management, or correct low-range with a diff locker on the rear.
Briefly, it walked throughout our offset mogul, hill climb, and rock course. Each it and the Triton punch above their weight when it comes to off-road duties.
What do you get?
Pajero Sport GLX highlights:
- 5 seats
- 4×2 or 4×4
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Full-size spare tyre
- LED headlights and DRLs
- Electrical park brake with brake auto maintain
- Sensible key with button begin
- Leather-based-wrapped wheel
- Single-zone local weather management
- Water-repellent cloth seats, guide modify
- Reversing sensors
- Reverse-view digicam
- 8.0-inch touchscreen
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 4-speaker audio
- Bluetooth telephone and streaming
- AM/FM/DAB tuning
- 4 x USB ports in cabin
- 1 x 220V plus and three x 12V sockets
- Roof rails and facet steps
Pajero Sport GLS provides:
- 7 seats
- 4×2 or 4×4
- Nightfall-sensing headlights
- Automated rain-sensing wipers
- Powered tailgate
- Privateness glass
- Twin-zone local weather management
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Tyre-pressure monitor system
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- 6-speaker audio
Pajero Sport GLS ‘Deluxe’ possibility pack provides:
- $2250 added value
- Leather-based seats (mixture of actual and artificial)
- Powered entrance seats
- Encompass-view digicam
Pajero Sport Exceed provides:
- GLS ‘Deluxe’ possibility pack
- Entrance parking sensors
- 8.0-inch color LCD info show
- Heated Entrance Seats
- 8-speaker audio system
- Distant Smartphone App:
- Function tailgate
- Test automobile standing
- Activate automobile finder operate
- Apple Watch connectivity
Pajero Sport GSR provides:
- Black alloy wheels
- Black rear spoiler
- Black bumper garnishes
- Black radiator grille
- Black headlight garnish
- Black roof rails
- Two tone roof – black
- ‘Pajero’ Sport bonnet emblem
- ‘GSR’ tailgate badge
Colors:
- White: $NCO
- Terra Rossa (crimson): $740
- Impulse Blue: $740
- Sterling Silver: $740
- Graphite Gray: $740
- Black Mica: $740
- White Diamond: $940
Is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS secure?
The Pajero Sport now not carries an ANCAP crash score as a result of the age of its design means it has lapsed, however the automobile scored 5 stars means again in October 2015 and the identical fundamental design carries over.
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Mitsubishi Triton
Passive security options embrace twin entrance, front-side and head-protecting curtain airbags, in addition to one for the driving force’s knee. There are two ISOFIX child-seat anchors, three prime tethers, and child-proof door locks.
Driver help aids normal to all fashions embrace ahead autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise management, a pace limiter, reversing sensors, and trailer stability management.
Options resembling blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and an ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation operate solely come on the GSR and Exceed fashions – nowadays we’d count on these to be normal.
How a lot does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS value to run?
Mitsubishi offers a market-leading 10-year guarantee with a decade of capped value servicing, however there are some caveats – one being the gap restrict is 200,000km.
For one more, the guarantee reverts to 5 years and 100,000km should you select to service your Pajero Sport at an impartial mechanic quite than a Mitsubishi vendor. In fact, the whole level of that is to get you returning to the vendor annually, as a result of servicing is the place they make most of their revenue.
Pajero Sport service pricing:
- 12 months or 15,000km: $449
- 24 months or 30,000km: $549
- 36 months or 45,000km: $499
- 48 months or 60,000km: $849
- 60 months or 75,000km: $549
- 72 months or 90,000km: $849
- 84 months or 105,000km: $549
- 96 months or 120,000km: $999
- 108 months or 135,000km: $699
- 120 months or 150,000km: $899
To place these costs into context, the common value of a fundamental service over the primary 5 years is $579. Against this the common per-visit value over this era for the Ford Everest is $330 and for the Isuzu MU-X it’s $487, making the Mitsubishi a bit pricier to keep up.
All Mitsubishi automobiles are offered with 12 months of roadside help, which may be maintained for as much as 4 years. As earlier than, that is provided that the automobile is serviced on schedule at an authorised Mitsubishi vendor.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS
The Pajero Sport is getting on and due for alternative. In elements resembling engine output, driver help options and inside house and design, its fundamental rivals have moved previous it.
Nevertheless it stays first rate worth in context, has a reassuring decade-long guarantee with vendor servicing, and this mannequin is a identified amount with runs on the board.
Maintain an eye fixed out for runout value campaigns maybe, and also you may snare your self a high quality adventure-ready 4×4, as long as you weigh the professionals and cons.
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