- Mitsubishi is developing a new Pajero Sport, the current generation of which is sold as the Montero Sport in some markets
- Sales of the midsize SUV are expected to start in 2026, though a U.S. launch is unlikely
- Mitsubishi may also be planning a new version of the larger Pajero/Montero, thanks to a new partnership with Honda and Nissan
Mitsubishi has been spotted testing a new generation of the Pajero Sport, a midsize SUV with body-on-frame construction that, in some markets, is sold as the Montero Sport.
Some U.S. readers will recall the original Montero Sport of the early 2000s, and its Montero big brother, which was a twin to the Pajero sold overseas.
The vehicles attracted an almost cult-like following among off-road enthusiasts and others who appreciated their rugged design, though more recent generations have been off-limits for this market due to regulations.
That isn’t expected to change with the arrival of the new Pajero Sport, which is expected to share its platform with the latest Mitsubishi Triton (L200) midsize pickup truck that went on sale overseas in 2023. The new Pajero Sport is due to start sales in 2026, though it may make its debut as soon as this year.
2017 Mitsubishi Montero Sport (Pajero Sport, Challenger)
The camouflaged prototype in our latest spy shots suggests Mitsubishi will stick with evolutionary styling for the new Pajero Sport. The hood appears to sit slightly higher than on the current model, which debuted in 2015, and the headlights are positioned higher as well.
The latest Triton pickup is offered with the choice of two turbodiesel engines and a single gas option, all of them 2.4-liter 4-cylinder units. The same will likely be the case for the Pajero Sport.
While the vehicle isn’t expected to reach the U.S., Mitsubishi may offer new body-on-frame vehicles here in the future. One of these could be a 1-ton pickup truck jointly developed with Nissan and built in Mexico, though the timing is uncertain.
Another could be a new generation of the Pajero, sharing a platform with the latest Nissan Armada and Patrol twins. The last Pajero bowed out of production in 2021, but Mitsubishi is expected to join the new partnership between Honda and Nissan announced late last year, and this could potentially pave the way for a new Pajero.