Mitsubishi has confirmed the new mitsubishi pajero will reach Australian showrooms by the end of 2026, setting a firm target for one of the brand’s most closely watched SUV revivals. The company says more detail will come in the middle to third quarter of 2026, around the time the vehicle is understood to be revealed globally. The launch plan puts Australia in the frame early, even as the final reveal will take place in Japan.
New Mitsubishi Pajero testing continues in Australia
Mitsubishi Australia General Manager Product Strategy and Product Public Relations Bruce Hampel said the company already has vehicles in Australia conducting validation testing in a range of local conditions. He said the work is a sign of the importance of the Australian market to Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, with the vehicle being evaluated here alongside other markets.
Hampel also said the company had considered an Australian global reveal at one point, but that decision has now been made in favour of Japan. He described the Japanese market as the vehicle’s “pride and joy, ” making the global launch location a clear part of the brand’s rollout strategy.
The new mitsubishi pajero is understood to be the successor to the Pajero Sport, with the Sport suffix dropping away entirely. That would bring back the original Pajero nameplate for the first time since it was retired in 2021.
What the new Mitsubishi Pajero is expected to be
Details remain limited, but speculation points to the SUV being based on the current Triton ute underpinnings. If that proves correct, the vehicle is also likely to use a version of the Triton’s 2. 4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine.
Prototype sightings have shown a large, boxy and bluff shape, with a design that, from some angles, resembles the Nissan Patrol Y63. The expected look includes a large grille, headlights that run down the front fascia, and prominent bonnet bulges. At the rear, there is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, which likely means the spare will sit underneath the vehicle.
Why the timing matters for the market
The scheduled end-of-2026 Australian arrival gives Mitsubishi a clear timeline as the large SUV segment prepares for another round of competition. The launch timing places the new mitsubishi pajero into a crowded space where buyers will be watching for specifications, seating options and pricing once Mitsubishi is ready to disclose them.
Interior details have not yet been revealed, although the cabin is expected to share a lot with the Triton. Five- and seven-seat configurations are likely, but Mitsubishi has not confirmed those details publicly.
What happens next
The next key milestone is the middle to third quarter of 2026, when Mitsubishi says it should be able to share more information. Until then, the new mitsubishi pajero remains in testing and in development, with the global reveal expected in Japan and the Australian showroom arrival locked in before the end of 2026.
