By The Pajero Sport is a rare bird these days. While today’s automotive market is all about crossovers, there are still a couple of genuine off-roaders in the compact and mid-size class. In North America, it’s mostly about Wrangler and 4Runner. In other parts of the world, we can see a range of models that are not offered in North America. The most specific is the Australian/South East Asian market, which is full of body-on-frame SUVs – Pajero Sport is one of them. The current generation has been around since 2015 and it received a facelift in 2019. That’s why we believe that this version has a few more years before it gets a full redesign, so the 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport should be a typical carryover model, without more important updates.
So, you may count on a familiar vehicle, with familiar design and features. This SUV offers strong off-road performance but also features a high level of comfort, plenty of interior space and many other qualities. Depending on the market, it is available either as diesel or with gasoline engines.
Considering that there are no significant changes to come, we expect that the 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will hit the market sometime in the last quarter of the year.
2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Design
We don’t expect to see any notable change for the next year. The current generation has a few more years before it receives a full redesign and we count on the same overall layout, which is heavily based on the L200 pickup truck. The two models share the same platform, as well as most other parts. Still, the Pajero Sport isn’t as rudimental as the popular pickup. It still comes with a couple of upgrades, particularly in terms of the suspension setup. Instead of leaf springs, it features an independent multi-link suspension, which has a significant impact on comfort and overall ride quality.
Visually, you can see a tight connection between the two models, especially at the front. The overall shape features a typical SUV layout and with a little bit over 110 inches in wheelbase, we can say that this model balances pretty well between interior space and off-road potential.
We should also mention that the Australian model came with a new version for the 2022 model year. That was a new trim level called GSR, which features a lot of blacked details, such as grille, wheels, rear spoiler, as well as a two-tone roof. We presume this version, which is essentially an appearance package, could be offered in other markets as well.
Interior
Not many things have changed since the initial launch in 2015. Still, that’s not a bad thing, considering that the cabin still looks very nice. The dashboard is practically the same as in the pickup sibling, but it looks nice. The materials are mostly hard to touch, but they are durable and well-appointed. Furthermore, there is a decent list of standard and available tech features, which makes this cabin look more upscale. Even the most basic models come standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, first- and second-row USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start etc. There is also a generous list of standard safety and driver-assistance features, which includes parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation etc.
This is a three-row SUV but if we consider the relatively modest wheelbase, it’s easy to conclude that the third row isn’t particularly generous with space and that it accommodates kids only. On the other hand, the first two rows are spacious and comfortable and can accommodate five adults with ease.
2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Engines
In most parts of the world, the 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will be offered as a diesel. It will carry on with a well-known 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel, known for a pretty impressive balance between power and efficiency. It features a max output of around 180 horsepower and 317 pound-feet (430Nm) of torque, which is sent to the rear or all wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission from Aisin.
In certain parts of the world, you can also get an older-generation 2.5-liter diesel engine. This one features a max output of 136 horsepower and 324 Nm of torque. Also, this engine comes coupled with a manual transmission.
Finally, there is the gasoline version, available in certain markets. It uses a good-old 3.0-liter V6 engine, which features a max output of 220 horsepower. This model is primarily offered in the Middle East.
2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Release Date
Since no bigger changes are expected for the next year, we expect that the 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport will arrive sometime in the last quarter of the year. The price largely depends on the market. The Australian version currently starts at around 43,940 Australian Dollars.
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