After years of speculation, Mitsubishi has finally let the world see its most legendary nameplate again. At Star Camp 2026, an owners' event held on May 30th at Asagiri Kogen in Japan, Mitsubishi pulled the cover off a production-spec Pajero prototype in front of a hand-picked group of long-time owners and enthusiasts — and their reactions were captured on camera.

One attendee, who said the original Pajero was the first car he ever drove after getting his license, admitted he couldn't picture what a modern successor would even look like. Another called it "cooler than expected." A longtime owner summed it up best: despite everything that's changed, the new car is still "unmistakably a Pajero at heart."

What's under the skin

The new Pajero is built on a ladder-frame chassis derived from the Mitsubishi Triton pickup, with bespoke tuning for the cabin structure and suspension. Mitsubishi is promising serious off-road capability paired with a noticeably more refined, upmarket ride — guests who sat inside the prototype pointed to soft-touch materials, a spacious cabin, and a beige interior finish that felt more premium than rugged.

Four grades, one clear target

Australian homologation filings have confirmed four trim levels: GLX, GLS, Exceed, and GSR — likely covering everything from practical family use to serious off-road hardware. A range-topping Ralliart version, tapping into the Pajero's Dakar Rally pedigree, hasn't been ruled out either.

Power will reportedly lean on Triton-based turbodiesel engines, but Mitsubishi has also committed to five self-charging hybrids and five plug-in hybrids across its range over the next six years, so an electrified Pajero isn't off the table long-term.

When and where

The new Pajero debuts globally this autumn (2026), with Australian deliveries starting by Christmas. North America won't get it until closer to 2030, and only under the Montero name. Mitsubishi is aiming squarely at the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series and the Nissan Patrol — a genuine return to the rugged, body-on-frame SUV segment the brand once dominated.

For European and Greek buyers who grew up with the Pajero as the go-to serious 4x4, this is one of the biggest nameplate revivals of the decade.