Mitsubishi Sets Its Sights on the “Real” Land Cruiser
We already know the Mitsubishi Pajero is returning. The name is confirmed, the comeback is locked in, and the timing is starting to look clearer. Current reports point to a global debut sometime in the third quarter of 2026, with order books opening shortly after and first deliveries trickling in toward December.
It’s also clear where Mitsubishi is aiming. The new Pajero isn’t returning to blend in with the crowd. It’s being developed to go head-to-head with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300, which still sets the standard in markets where the Land Cruiser name means something.
That’s not just speculation anymore. A Pajero prototype was recently spotted in Japan running side by side with a Land Cruiser 300 during testing. Automakers don’t set up these comparisons unless they’re serious. It’s a clear sign of who Mitsubishi is targeting.
Toyota
What the Sighting Reveals
The prototype sighting, published exclusively by Japan’s Best Car, was covered in heavy camouflage and running Okazaki plates. It doesn’t reveal everything, but the basics are there. The proportions point to a full-size SUV with real presence, likely built on a ladder frame from the latest Triton pickup, not on the Nissan Patrol platform.
Compared to the Land Cruiser 300 running alongside it, the Pajero appears slightly lower in height but still carries a solid, upright presence. The design leans boxy, more squared-off than recent Mitsubishi SUVs, and notably skips the rear-mounted spare tire seen on older models.
Underneath, it’s expected to use Mitsubishi’s Super Select II four-wheel-drive system – hardware that’s proven itself off-road (Mitsubishi Ralliart’s return in rallying). There’s also word of an upgraded eight-speed automatic replacing the Triton’s six-speed, which should help close the gap in refinement with Toyota.
With the latest sighting, this isn’t just about bringing back a rugged nameplate. Mitsubishi looks set to move the Pajero upmarket, focusing on comfort and on-road manners as much as off-road ability.
MitsubishiMotorsTV/YouTube
Benchmarking Isn’t Just for Show
Having experienced one of Mitsubishi Motors’ benchmarking sessions firsthand during my visit to Okazaki last year, it’s clear these comparisons aren’t symbolic exercises. Engineers push both the Destinator SUV and the benchmark vehicle to their limits, often well beyond what most drivers would consider reasonable.
At one point, it got intense enough that I opted out of a final session. Riding shotgun in the competitor while both vehicles were being driven flat-out back-to-back wasn’t exactly reassuring.
That background makes this Pajero sighting matter more. If Mitsubishi is benchmarking the new SUV against the Land Cruiser 300, it shows they’re not just chasing nostalgia. They know what they’re up against and are preparing for it.
If Mitsubishi gets the mix right – durability, refinement, and the right tech – the new Pajero won’t just be another option. It could shake up the segment in a way we haven’t seen for a long time.
Jacob Oliva
from Autoblog News https://ift.tt/SGIH1rC
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