IT HAS DISTINCTIVE STYLING, amazing off-road ability and is well-priced, so the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has justifiably been a strong seller in Australia.
“The current Pajero Sport was launched in 2015 as a Stylish & Comfortable off-road SUV concept,” says Yoshiki Masuda, Chief Product Specialist, Product Strategy Division. “It inherited full-feature all-terrain performance, durability, reliability, safety and performance that define the DNA nurtured through successive generations of Pajero.”
“The key phrase driving the latest model year change has been ‘Elevate your Journey’. Pointing to a desire to be more adventurous and seek more challenges, this key phrase encapsulates our wish to help customers enjoy a more inspirational lifestyle.”
“We decided that in addition to refreshing the overall design we would give particular attention to up-rating its advanced equipment specification and its convenience/utility performance. We wanted to deliver the kind of useful and comfort functions that would meet the diverse needs of as many customers as possible.”
One of the new items of equipment is the power tailgate. In addition to the usual power operation, a number of functions have been added, including hands-free operation using a kick-motion sensor; specific operations using a smartphone; and a smartphone-activated preset that opens the tailgate when the owner approaches the vehicle.
Other new features that are useful and fun include a new 8-inch colour digital instrument display, and the Mitsubishi Remote Control that gives the driver control of a number of vehicle functions using their smartphone.
Pajero Sport Overview
Mitsubishi Motors SUV history started with the Pajero in 1982, since then the company has launched a wide range of SUV models to reflect the needs of customers. The Pajero Sport was launched in July 1996, as a mid-size cross-country SUV, (Challenger). For the second-generation model launched in 2008 and for subsequent models, production shifted from the Pajero manufacturing plant in Japan to the company’s Laem Chabang Plant in Thailand. The third-generation model was launched in August 2015. Cumulative production volume at the end of June 2019 had reached approx. 260,000 units.
New Pajero Sport continues the Pajero DNA. It comes with the Pajero’s full-feature all-terrain performance, comfort and reliability, together with refinements to the sporty exterior design and comfortable interior. New Pajero Sport also offers improved convenience and utility with a number of innovative new components.
Owen Thomson, Senior Manager, Product Strategy at Mitsubishi Motors Australia said, “This new Pajero Sport doesn’t only bring a facelift, it offers improvements to practical use. There are a number of small, subtle changes in this new model that add up to deliver a better ownership experience.”
“The Pajero Sport is incredibly capable off-road, however off-road capability shouldn’t come at the expense of comfort and convenience. It is the combination of ‘go anywhere capability’ with ‘style and comfort’ that gives the Pajero Sport its unique positioning. It appeals to families and other buyer groups because it can meet the daily urban commute, as much as the serious adventure that comes with travelling, towing or off-road 4-wheel driving.” For the record, the Pajero Sport is rated t0 tow 3100kg (braked) and 750kg (unbraked), which seniordriveraus sees as a conservative and sensible rating.
“The new model adds some important functionality that I think will please Australian drivers – the digital dash, the power tailgate – and more practical and thoughtful spec changes such as small-item storage and turning lamps that will improve the overall driving experience.”
Exterior design accents wide, sculptured, powerful looks
New Pajero Sport sees a further evolution in the latest iteration of Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield front design concept, with the effect of making the front-end look wider. The bonnet is set higher, giving the front face a deeper look. The bold look and functional placement of the lamp units, and more sculptured and powerful treatment of chromed parts all contribute to a more refined front design.
New innovative and helpful components
New Pajero Sport is fitted with an easy-to-read 8-inch colour digital instrument panel to give drivers more information about their drive and put them more in control. The smartphone-link Display Audio (SDA) system includes TomTom navigation (Exceed model) and displays Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The newly developed remote-control app links the vehicle to the driver’s smartphone, offering a number of convenient features, including operations of the power tailgate and a turnoff/close reminder.
More luxurious, higher quality interior
The floor console and door grip shapes have been revised and extra soft pads are added to make it a more comfortable and to raise the quality look. Not forgetting other occupants, a lower tray, which is accessible by the front passenger, is added to the tunnel-style floor console, while an AC power outlet is added to the trailing edge of the floor console.
Improved performance
The Pajero Sport is powered by a 2.4L MIVEC turbodiesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. All models are fitted with the Super Select 4WD-II drivetrain that delivers optimal traction for different surface conditions together with confidence-inspiring handling characteristics. The current model’s outstanding safety performance is improved further with the addition of Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) to its advanced safety system specification.
Off road modes
4WD models retain their off-road mode selector (introduced in MY19) that offers the choice of custom GRAVEL, MUD/SNOW, SAND and ROCK (only in 4LLc) drive modes. Using integrated control of engine torque, transmission and braking, the system regulates the amount of wheel slip to maximise all-terrain performance as well as self-extraction capability from mud or snow.
- Gravel
This mode combines optimal acceleration and stability over unsurfaced roads where small stones or dirt can cause wheel slip. - Mud/snow
This mode regulates wheel slip to avoid getting stuck and to maintain directional stability when moving off. Once the vehicle is moving steadily, the system allows some slip and reduces the degree of traction control to reduce any sense of stalling. In mud or snow, if the system detects that the vehicle is getting stuck, it weakens engine torque control to improve self-extraction capability. - Sand
In this mode, the system reduces wheel slip to avoid getting stuck when moving off and, by initiating a limited slip differential effect, to improve self-extraction capability. Once the vehicle is moving steadily, the system allows some slip and reduces the degree of TCL*1/ASC*2 system control to reduce any feeling that the car is stalling. The A/T switches to shift timing best-suited to SAND mode and selects the appropriate gear to maintain high drive torque feed.
*1 Traction Control *2 Active Stability Control - Rock
When the system detects that diagonally opposing wheels do not have sufficient contact with the ground, or to improve traction and stability when going uphill, the system reduces any loss of drive by suppressing wheel slip and acting as a limited slip differential. The A/T switches to shift timing best-suited to ROCK mode and selects the appropriate gear to maintain high drive torque.
Advanced safety systems
The Pajero Sport uses a number of advanced active safety systems that give the driver all-directional assistance in the safe operation of their vehicle.
Forward Collision Mitigation (FCM) is standard across the range. It uses a radar unit installed behind the front grille logo to detect vehicles ahead. If it determines there is the danger of a collision, it warns the driver and automatically applies the brakes to reduce collision damage or, depending on the situation, to avoid a collision.
For New Pajero Sport, Blind Spot Warning (BSW) replaces the ultrasonic sensor with a radar sensor installed inside the rear bumper to detect vehicles in the driver’s rear quarter which tends to be a blind spot, and warns the driver of vehicle approach by flashing an indicator in the driver’s door mirror. The radar sensor is less affected by external disturbances and has a more extensive range than the ultrasonic sensor. Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) functions are also added to the system.
Also joining the active safety systems lineup on the Exceed is the Ultrasonic Misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS). This warns the driver and reduces engine output if they have mistakenly pressed the accelerator too hard when stationary or at speeds of under 10km/h and the ultrasonic sensor has detected an obstacle in the path of the vehicle.
Two new colours added to the range
In keeping with customer feedback, two new exterior colours have been added, giving a choice of five colours in all.
- White
- White diamond (new)
- Graphite grey (new, metallic)
- Sterling silver (metallic)
- Terra Rossa
- Black mica
- Dark blue
Pricing
The Pajero Sport is on sale at Mitsubishi dealers today.
| Vehicle | Drivetrain | Transmission | Seats | RRP | Drive Away (private) |
| GLX/ AT | 4WD | 8 speed AT | 5 | $46,990 | $45,990 |
| GLS/ AT | 4WD | 8 speed AT | 5 | $51,490 | $52,490 |
| GLS/ AT | 4WD | 8 speed AT | 7 | $52,490 | $53,990 |
| Exceed | 4WD | 8 speed AT | 7 | $57,190 | $59,990 |
Exceed includes premium paint, on other models this is a $740 option.
Prestige paint is $940.
There are some interesting variables in the driveaway and recommended retail prices, but when seniordriveraus asked MMAL why, they not surprisingly declined to explain their pricing policy. We’d suggest you don’t try and interpret but move quickly to take advantage of some rather appealing deals.
Once we have tested and assessed the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.