Familiar-Looking 2025 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Could Rival Ford Everest in Australia
Mitsubishi is readying its Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and Toyota Fortuner rival with fresh images showcasing a familiar look to the front of what will likely be the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
The vehicle was spotted testing in Europe in early September 2024 and was wrapped in full camouflage. However, from the images, we can determine that this new vehicle will carry a similar front end to the new Mitsubishi Triton with a more aggressive-looking face, signature split headlamps, and a large flat grille.
Undoubtedly, the current generation Pajero Sport is getting long in the tooth while lagging behind its rivals in terms of technology and capability. That said, it continues to sell in strong numbers, with deliveries increasing over the previous year thanks to an affordable starting price of $51,540 plus on-road costs in Australia. Expect that price to jump slightly when and if the new model arrives. The new Mitsubishi Triton with 4×4 is priced from $50,340 plus on-road costs, but the most appealing model, the GLS Double Cab Pick-Up 4×4, is priced closer to $60,000 plus on-road costs.
It is likely to be based on the latest Triton Ute, while an Australian debut could happen late next year if it is announced for our market before the end of 2024.
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The 2025 Pajero Sport would also be bigger and borrow styling cues from the Triton. We’d expect the next-generation vehicle to sit on an improved ladder-frame chassis with enhanced capabilities while embedding modern technology, likely including Mitsubishi’s new Super Select four-wheel drive system, which uses a torque-sensing limited-slip differential that distributes 40 percent force to the front and 60 percent to the rear. Of course, a 3,500kg braked towing capacity would be mandatory to match the Ford Everest’s.
Expect current features such as Hill Descent Control (HDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) to carry over to the new model.
While the camouflaged version has the familiar silhouette of the current Pajero Sport, the production version could change with a front bumper redesign, larger wheel arches, and hopefully, the removal of those controversial taillights, which have already been redesigned through multiple facelifts.
The interior of the rumoured Pajero Sport will feature a much-needed change to the dashboard design, which would align with the Triton ute. This means a larger 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside Satellite Navigation.
Both Mitsubishi Triton (new) and Pajero Sport (current) have the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. However, the new Triton has a twin-turbo set-up, which could likely make its way to the new Pajero Sport. This also means the SUV will likely require AdBlue, like the pick-up. It remains to be seen what gearbox the new Pajero Sport will come with, though, as the Triton has a 6-speed automatic while the current Pajero Sport has an 8-speed.
If and when the new Pajero Sport goes on sale in Australia, it will compete with the Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and whatever the new Toyota Fortuner might look like. We’d expect it to be one of the bigger 4×4 launches for next year.
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