From Flagship SUV to Retirement, and Then Back?
The Mitsubishi Montero, sold in many parts of the world as the Pajero or the Shogun, was once the brand's most recognizable SUV. Built on a ladder-frame chassis and paired with genuine four-wheel drive capability, it competed directly with models like the Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Armada – the latter gaining a brand-spanking-new Nismo version. It was also the vehicle that helped popularize the SUV movement in Japan during the late 1980s and 1990s.
In Japan, the Pajero bowed out with a Final Edition in 2019, and the production facility that built it was shuttered in 2021. For Mitsubishi, the model's departure also meant losing a flagship nameplate at home. However, the brand has been quietly working on a revival, and development vehicles have already been spotted on the road, fully camouflaged. Now, thanks to information from Japan, we finally have a clearer picture of when it will make its return.
Mitsubishi
A Revival Confirmed for 2026
According to NHK News, the new Pajero will be revived in December 2026. The report also states that Mitsubishi intends to strengthen its domestic presence with the return of what was once its most important SUV. Dealers in Japan have reportedly been informed that an announcement is scheduled for the end of 2026, which aligns with NHK's report.
Production will not take place in Japan this time. Instead, the SUV will be manufactured in Thailand, where Mitsubishi already builds the Triton pickup, and then imported back into Japan. While details remain scarce, the Pajero's return carries symbolic weight for Mitsubishi, given its heritage and role as a brand cornerstone.
Mitsubishi
We'll Know More Soon Enough
Pajero's shots from Europe show a development vehicle with styling cues familiar from Mitsubishi's latest models. A horizontal grille pattern, headlights resembling those of the XForce, and rugged black cladding suggest a tough, rugged design. Six-hole wheels and vertically arranged taillights suggest a clear departure from the Destinator 7-seater, strengthening the case that this is indeed the next Pajero.
Reports also indicate it may use an improved ladder-frame platform derived from the Triton and Pajero Sport, with a diesel turbo four-cylinder engine as the likely starting point. Hybrid options, whether mild or plug-in, have not been ruled out.
How much of this proves true will be revealed in time. Mitsubishi is flying me out to Japan next month for this year's Japan Mobility Show, with a side trip scheduled to test drive an "unknown" vehicle. Whether that ends up being the Montero/Pajero or something else, I'll share updates once I have more information.
Mitsubishi
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