New Mitsubishi Pajero prepares for battle with the 2026 Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and new Denza B5, as next-generation 4WD takes shape

Tough off-roaders are having a renaissance.

Aussie favourites such as the Toyota LandCruiser 300, Prado and Ford Everest are selling fast, but they have new competition from BYD’s Denza brand and Hyundai and Kia could soon get in on the act. 

Not to mention a new Nissan Patrol is due at the end of 2027 and a Navara-based 4WD could follow.

Now, Mitsubishi has been caught again testing a rugged-looking SUV that could be the next-generation Pajero Sport or even Pajero.

We’ve commissioned digital artist Thanos Pappas to give us a glimpse of what this next-gen tough Mitsu could look like, based on those spy pics and the new Destinator SUV bound for South-East Asian markets.

The vehicle has chunky proportions with squared-off edges that have shades of the new Nissan Patrol, built by its alliance partner.

It has the ground clearance needed for heavy-duty off-roading and short front and rear overhangs will give it generous approach and departure angles.

It also has some modern flair, with bold alloy wheels and dynamic LED headlights and daytime running lights.

The spy shots show a vehicle that resembles one of the shady silhouettes presented in the company’s 2030 Momentum plan.

“So in that 2030 plan you’ll see the outline or the silhouette of a large SUV,” said Mitsubishi Australia boss Shaun Westcott earlier this year.

“We are doing a lot of work on a lot of platforms and a lot of models, so that 2030 Momentum plan includes a number of new products that you’ve seen the silhouette of that we are working on. There’s a lot happening at the moment,” he said.

The Pajero Sport — along with the ASX and Eclipse Cross SUVs — was discontinued at the start of this year due to it not meeting Australia Design Rules (ADRs). Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide at the time there would be a replacement, but was coy on what it would be called.

"These nameplates will be replaced by equivalent — if you want to call it that — vehicles in the coming years," said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of Product Strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel.

This opens the door to Mitsubishi ditching the Pajero Sport name and bringing back the Pajero.

Japanese magazine Best Car claims the next-generation Pajero will be based on the new Triton, which means a rugged ladder-frame chassis and the brand’s capable 4WD set-up.

The Pajero Sport has also shared its underpinnings with the Triton, which further strengthens the idea the Pajero might actually replace the Pajero Sport.

Westcott said the brand intended to continue helping people explore Australia regardless of what the vehicle is called.

“The future is very much focused towards off-road adventure, four-wheel drive, SUV, large SUV in the portfolio. We’d like to see all of them,” he said.

It could even use plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power, which has been earmarked for the Triton and its twin, the Nissan Navara.

This would likely be the same set-up featured in the Outlander PHEV, which pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor and a sizeable battery to deliver all-paw grip, plenty of torque and lower fuel use.

It would help it trump the Toyota Prado that only makes do with mild-hybrids, and the Ford Everest upon which Ford won't (for now) bestow the Ranger’s plug-in hybrid set-up.

Bruce Hampel previously told CarsGuide it is unlikely full battery-electric power would be an option for proper 4WDs, with plug-in hybrid grunt the best alternative.

“I think in the body on frame space, like commercial vehicles and large SUVs, the PHEV technology is a good stepping stone to full-BEVs,” said Hampel.

“It is going to be very challenging to have full-BEV vehicles of that size deliver what the customers are looking for.

“I think that’s the challenge we've all got in the industry at this point in time, especially in a market like Australia, where once you’re outside the cities and into the regional areas.

“The charging infrastructure is really not in place to give you that reassurance that you can continue your journey uninterrupted going forward.

“So I definitely think PHEV is going to be the bridging technology in those large vehicle classes,” he said.