Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced that its all-new cross-country SUV will be named Pajero and will be unveiled at a world premiere scheduled for autumn 2026. The model was discontinued in overseas markets in 2021, making this its first return to the global market in five years.
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First launched in 1982, the Pajero was developed as a recreational vehicle (RV, now widely known as an SUV) with a new concept that combined the off-road performance of a full-fledged four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle with the comfort of a passenger car. Across four generations, the model became one of Mitsubishi Motors’ most iconic cross-country SUVs, with cumulative global sales of more than 3.25 million units in over 170 countries and regions worldwide.
The Pajero was well known for competing in the Dakar Rally – the world’s most demanding rally – starting in 1983, securing a total of 12 victories, including seven consecutive wins. Through these achievements, the model established a reputation for solid off-road performance, handling stability, and durability as a cross-country SUV.
In Japan, the Pajero led the RV boom of the 1990s and played a key role in promoting outdoor and leisure lifestyles, with the series expanding to include the Pajero Mini kei-car, Pajero Junior compact SUV, and the Pajero iO compact SUV.
Set to make its world premiere this autumn, the all-new Pajero is based on the highly robust ladder frame of the Triton pickup truck, with model-specific development of the cabin and front and rear suspension. The all-new Pajero is being developed as a new flagship model, MMC says.
