Mitsubishi has brought its flagship cross-country SUV back to the Japanese market after the nameplate spent roughly seven years away. The global model has begun its rollout in Thailand, with Australia and Japan scheduled to follow in December 2026. In Spain and some other markets, the vehicle is known as the Montero, continuing the nameplate’s regional naming tradition.
The Pajero is built on a ladder-frame chassis derived from the Triton pickup platform, placing it in the body-on-frame off-road category rather than alongside Mitsubishi’s unibody crossovers. Production is based at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand’s Laem Chabang plant in Chonburi Province, which will supply the domestic market and exports. The approach gives Mitsubishi a production hub for a planned rollout to about 100 countries and regions.
Thai-market specifications provide the clearest picture of the new model’s engineering. The reported powertrain is a 2.4-liter diesel producing 204 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The suspension uses double wishbones at the front and a five-link torque-arm arrangement at the rear. Electric rack-and-pinion steering and ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels complete the listed hardware.
Thailand’s launch range comprises three variants, priced from 1.499 million to 1.999 million baht. The entry-level GLS is a 2.4-liter, eight-speed automatic 4x2, while the range-topping Super Exceed is a 4x4. These specifications and prices describe the Thai-market lineup; export versions may differ.
Thai sales were reported to begin on October 19, 2026, with deliveries planned for the same month. Australia and Japan are scheduled to follow in mid-December, while Mitsubishi plans wider expansion from fiscal 2027, including the Middle East and Latin America. Automotive World, summarizing Mitsubishi’s rollout announcement, described the Thailand launch as the first step in taking the SUV to around 100 countries and regions.
The return puts Mitsubishi back into a segment that includes Toyota’s Land Cruiser. Japanese market commentary has framed the Pajero as a potential alternative, with pricing and dependable supply likely to determine whether its off-road credentials make it a credible rival. The two vehicles share a broad market category, but the Pajero’s return alone does not establish a performance advantage over the Land Cruiser.
The name carries a large motorsport legacy: the Pajero claimed 12 overall victories in the Dakar Rally, helping shape its reputation among off-road enthusiasts. That history raises expectations for a revival built around a conventional ladder frame and a global launch strategy. The Thai-market specifications give buyers concrete details on the new vehicle’s diesel powertrain and chassis.
Mitsubishi’s return to the segment also comes amid intensifying competition in Spain’s automotive market. New entrants such as BYD have gained ground, with the company recently overtaking MG in sales, information from industry reports. The Pajero, sold as the Montero in Spain, will enter that market context as Mitsubishi expands its international rollout.
The launch timetable now sets out the next steps, with Australia and Japan scheduled for December 2026 and broader regional expansion planned from fiscal 2027. The model’s reception will show how Mitsubishi’s returning off-road flagship fares against established rivals such as the Land Cruiser.
