After months of trademark chatter, cryptic videos, unnamed flagship SUV teasers, and plenty of online guessing, Mitsubishi has finally made it official: the Pajero is coming back later this year. The company confirmed in a new press release that the iconic off-roader will return as an all-new cross-country SUV and make its world debut in fall 2026.
This isn’t just another SUV launch for Mitsubishi. The Pajero badge means something, especially to those who remember its Dakar Rally wins, its reputation for real off-road grit, and its status as a true family adventure vehicle. The original Pajero, launched in 1982, moved over 3.25 million units across more than 170 countries and regions through four generations – a legacy few SUVs can match.
Mitsubishi released a teaser image that keeps most details under wraps, but there are a few things worth noting. Up front, there’s a wide horizontal LED light bar stretching across the fascia, vertical lighting at the corners reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Destinator, and the tri-diamond Mitsubishi badge peeking through a haze of dust.
Meanwhile, the bold PAJERO script at the bottom effectively removes any doubt about the nameplate’s return. Mitsubishi has also launched a teaser website for the new SUV, hinting that this is just the beginning of a longer reveal.
Mitsubishi also dropped a few hints about what to expect under the sheet metal. The new Pajero will ride on a modified version of the Triton pickup’s ladder-frame chassis, with a purpose-built cabin and suspension designed to deliver both real off-road capability and improved comfort. Mitsubishi is positioning this as a flagship that shows off the brand’s adventurous DNA.
There’s also the question of what it will be called in different markets. While Pajero is now official, Mitsubishi’s social media hints suggest the Montero badge will stick around in some regions – a nod to markets where the Montero name never left, and where Pajero has always been a bit controversial, especially in Spanish-speaking countries.
Autocar’s Take
Right now, the Pajero’s return feels like Mitsubishi finally getting back in touch with one of its core strengths. The brand has leaned hard into crossovers for years, but the Pajero name still stands for real SUV capability and ruggedness in the minds of many buyers.
The real test will be in the execution. Building the new Pajero on a Triton-based ladder-frame platform is the right move if Mitsubishi wants to deliver true off-road hardware instead of just crossover looks. Expectations are high, though. Pajero fans remember vehicles that could handle long road trips, rough trails, and the occasional questionable detour without breaking a sweat.
For now, the waiting is finally over. The Pajero is officially coming back, and this time Mitsubishi isn’t holding anything back.
