After a long hiatus, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has brought back the legendary Pajero name. Making its global debut is the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero, and it's the automaker's newest flagship model that embodies the next chapter of Mitsubishi Motors.

To be manufactured at the company's Thailand factory, the all-new Pajero will first be launched in the Land of Smiles and will be followed by Japan and Australia during fiscal year 2026. From fiscal year 2027, Mitsubishi plans to launch the all-new Pajero in approximately 100 countries worldwide, including markets such as ASEAN, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Starting with its looks, the all-new Pajero features a sculpted exterior that is boxy and muscular. It features Mitsubishi's signature T-shaped LED light signature at the front and a distinct grille.

Mitsubishi says the front fascia conveys strength inspired by kendo, a traditional Japanese martial art that emphasizes discipline and composure. A total of two grille designs will be available: a horizontal bar grille that highlights Japanese craftsmanship and a honeycomb design that evokes streamlined functional beauty and strength.

The rear also gets the T-shaped design for the LED taillights, along with a muscular tailgate. Moreover, signature Pajero design elements are present throughout the exterior, including the C-pillar inspired by the roll bar of the first-generation model. There's also a hexagonal rear motif that serves as a tribute to the rear-mounted spare tire of past generations.

The all-new Mitsubishi Pajero measures 4920mm long, 1925mm wide, and 1910mm tall on a 2870mm wheelbase. It also has a ground clearance of 230mm, an approach angle of 30.4 degrees, a breakover angle of 22.6 degrees, and a departure angle of 25.8 degrees. The flagship SUV comes with a 52:48 weight distribution and long-travel suspension, which we'll get to later.

Hop inside, and the Pajero welcomes occupants into a three-row cabin with a 2+3+2 seating layout. Mitsubishi says the interior of the all-new Pajero emphasizes a premium and comfortable interior space. Starting with the driver's seat, the automaker claims it has an elevated eye point to make it easier for drivers to see out of the vehicle and better judge the vehicle's spatial size. Meanwhile, the second row features up to 150mm of sliding range, plus a tumble feature to improve ingress & egress from the third row. Speaking of the third row, Mitsubishi says the third row has ample headroom even for adults, as well as a spacious footwell for better legroom.

A pair of high-definition 14.3" displays stand proudly on the dashboard with one serving as the digital instrument panel, while the other is the touchscreen infotainment system. Fans of the Pajero's iconic Multi-Meter display will be happy to know the triple meter cluster makes its return, albeit in digital form.

Information such as altitude, compass heading, vehicle pitch, roll angles, and temperature are all displayed. For better outside visibility, the Pajero is equipped with a 3D multi-around monitor, complete with a front under-floor view to help drivers navigate while going off-road.

For better peace of mind while on the road, the all-new Pajero comes with a suite of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). These include the Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM) with pedestrian, cyclist, and motorcyclist detection and junction assist, Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), and Emergency Assist for Pedal Misapplication (EAPM).

It also has Emergency Lane Assist (ELA) for the first time, which uses a forward-facing camera and radar to recognize lane markings and surrounding vehicles, and a Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), which detects vehicles approaching from either side at intersections and alerts the driver.

Driver assistance in the all-new Pajero comes in the form of MI-PILOT, Mitsubishi Motors' highway single-lane driving assistance system. Through the integrated control of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA), MI-PILOT helps drivers maintain an appropriate following distance and keep the vehicle centered in its lane on highways.

Beyond the high-tech gizmos and features, the all-new Pajero comes with enhanced quietness through comprehensive use of sound-insulating materials. It even has acoustic glass for the front & rear door windows, and noise reduction measures to keep wind & engine noise to a minimum. Audiophiles will also be glad that the all-new Pajero will come with Dynamic Sound from Yamaha and features a total of 12 speakers with dual amplifiers.

Under the hood, the all-new Pajero is powered by a 2.4L turbo-diesel engine that benefits from a single variable geometry turbocharger (VGT). It generates 204 PS at 3500 rpm along with a generous 480 Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500 rpm. Power is then sent to an 8-speed automatic transmission and Super Select 4WD II (SS4-II) with Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) and Active Yaw Control (AYC).

The SS4-II comes with four 4WD drive modes on tap: 2H (RWD), 4H (full-time 4WD), 4HLc (full-time 4WD with locked center differential), and 4LLc (4WD Low with locked center differential).

Working alongside the selectable 4WD system is S-AWC with integrated AYC. It controls torque distribution between the left and right wheels via the front brakes, active stability control, and traction control systems. All of these help distribute driving force to enhance stability on slippery surfaces and help prevent wheel lock & skidding via the anti-lock brakes. This translates to easier off-roading in all types of weather conditions.

Complementing the SS4-II and S-AWC with AYC are seven drive modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. All of the modes will allow the driver to experience levels of confidence when driving across a wide range of surfaces.

As mentioned before, the all-new Pajero features a robust ladder frame chassis. It makes use of high-tensile steel that contributes to a lighter curb weight, while also delivering better torsional and bending rigidity. The result is a highly rigid ladder frame that Mitsubishi claims achieves a high level of handling stability, ride comfort, durability and stability.

The suspension setup consists of double wishbones in the front and a newly developed five-link rigid rear axle. Mitsubishi says this configuration allows the tires to maintain contact with road surfaces while supporting strong off-road capability. Moreover, the automaker claims it delivers a natural steering feel and a flat, composed ride.

With Thailand being the first country to get their hands on the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero, we'll be keeping a close eye on when the all-new flagship SUV will make its way to the Philippines.