Mitsubishi has teased its upcoming SUV based on the Triton ute, which many believe will resurrect the Pajero nameplate.
The video (below) released on New Year’s Day celebrates the company’s rally and racing heritage, and includes shots of the Lancer Evolution, Pajero Evolution and various Dakar vehicles. The meat of the video is of the current Triton Ralliart competing in the Asia Cross Country Rally (AXCR).
At the end, Mitsubishi’s new SUV makes a shadowy appearance.
The headlight graphics match up with the company’s latest design, and the overall styling matches spy photos taken in the middle of 2025.
Those photos revealed a new body-on-frame SUV with a tall ride height, running boards, a live rear axle, and a body that’s completely distinct from the Triton it’s likely based on.
Among the myriad of design changes are a clamshell bonnet, sharper window frames, and a more upright-looking windscreen.
It’s unclear what’s powering this new SUV, but the sixth-generation Triton uses a 2.4-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel mill making 150kW of power and 470Nm of torque.
This is paired to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, and the choice of rear-wheel drive or full-time four-wheel drive.
While the third-generation Pajero Sport remains in production in Thailand, Mitsubishi Australia has stopped importing the model and is relying on existing stock, as the car can no longer be imported due to new autonomous emergency braking (AEB) regulations it doesn’t comply with.
The new SUV will serve as a replacement for the Pajero Sport, and rumours indicate it wear the Pajero name in Japan. The car’s more upright and blockier stance adds a little credence to these reports.
According to Car and Driver, Mitsubishi has also trademarked Montero in the US. Due the many unfortunate meanings of “pajero” in Spanish, the off-roader we knew as the Pajero was sold in many markets throughout the Americas as the Montero. It was also branded Shogun in the UK and Europe.
The Pajero name was put on ice in 2021 when production of the long-lived fourth-generation model ended. Launched in 2006, the fourth-gen model had a car-like monocoque body, went through two facelifts, and was available with a selection of V6 petrol engines and four-cylinder turbo-diesels.
Although the new Pajero/Pajero Sport is rumoured to go on sale in Japan at the end of 2026, its appearance in the teaser video indicates it — or a thinly disguised concept — could be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon, which kicks off on January 9.
