Mitsubishi Pajero 2026: release date, platform and what we know so far

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Nine days remain before one of Mitsubishi's biggest comebacks in years is fully revealed. Australian outlet Drive reports that the new Pajero's world premiere will take place on September 2, 2026, with the first cars reaching the Australian market as early as the fourth quarter. There's an important caveat, though: Mitsubishi's official global materials haven't published the exact date yet—the manufacturer has so far only confirmed a world premiere “this autumn.”

The car itself is no longer a mystery at the engineering level. Mitsubishi confirms the ladder-frame platform is shared with the Triton pickup, though the body, and the front and rear suspension, are being developed specifically for the Pajero. The SUV will also get Mitsubishi's proprietary Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system. The company promises to combine serious off-road capability with reduced body roll and a more comfortable ride on rough surfaces.

That frame is precisely what sets the returning model apart. The previous Pajero left global markets in 2021, and Mitsubishi is now effectively building its flagship around Triton engineering. The initial comeback announcement, and the new model's role as the foundation of the future Pajero family, were already revealed in a May statement on Mitsubishi's strategy. Across four generations, the company has sold more than 3.25 million Pajeros in 170 countries and regions.

In Australia, according to government filings, the range is expected to include GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR grades. The main engine is believed to be the 2.4-liter twin-turbo diesel from the Triton family, though Mitsubishi hasn't announced its output for the Pajero. The same goes for reports of an eight-speed automatic transmission: until the reveal, this should be treated as preliminary information.

The interior has also been partly uncovered: in July, the first cabin shots emerged, pointing to a more premium finish for the new ladder-frame Pajero. Mitsubishi has also officially confirmed the digital successor to the triple-gauge Multi Meter familiar from earlier generations.

So on September 2, the styling and the simple fact of the comeback won't be the most interesting part. The main unknowns are the exact engine output, transmission, whether there's a low-range gearbox, ground clearance, wading depth, body geometry, and the final list of markets. Those parameters will show just how far the new Pajero has moved beyond being a more comfortable Triton relative—and how seriously Mitsubishi intends to take on Toyota's and Ford's ladder-frame SUVs.