2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
About the 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Last updated Jun 07, 2024The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport receives some new colours and minor specification updates for 2023, as well as slight price increases.
All 2023 models are between $500 and $1000 more expensive than before, though tyre pressure monitoring has become standard fit on GLS, Exceed and GSR models.
The updated range enters production in February 2023, with dealership arrivals set for April.
Impulse Blue joins the colour palette for GLS and Exceed variants, while the flagship GSR gains a Terra Rossa exterior finish paired with a black roof.
Otherwise, the Pajero Sport is unchanged. As it’s based on the current Triton and a next-generation ute has been spied testing, the Pajero Sport is likely towards the end of its life cycle.
| Fuel Efficiency | 8 L / 100km |
|---|---|
| ANCAP Rating | 5-star |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Summary
Off-road ability
Solid value for money
Refined for a body-on-frame SUV
Third row for kids only
Not as composed on road as Prado/Everest
Cabin not quite as large as rivals'
Price & Specs
Reviews
News
Pajero Sport Range Guide
The base GLX comes with the following standard features:
- Five seats
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Electronic parking brake
- Adaptive cruise control
- Keyless entry and start
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter
- LED headlights, fog lights and daytime running lights
- Climate control air-conditioning
- Power-folding exterior mirrors
- Four-speaker sound system
- DAB digital radio
4WD models also include paddle shifters.
The GLS gains the following standard features:
- Seven seats
- Automatic headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Privacy glass
- Power tailgate
- Dual-zone climate control
- Six-speaker sound system
The Exceed gains:
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Surround-view camera
- Front parking sensors
- Heated front seats
- Power front seats
- Smartphone app connectivity
- Eight-speaker sound system
- 8.0-inch instrument cluster display
The GSR also includes:
- Black-finish 18-inch alloy wheels
- Black roof, bumper and headlight garnishes, rear spoiler and grille
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Interior
The build quality is good, and the materials such as the dash trims and seat leather are hard-wearing without feeling cheap and nasty. There are some padded touch-points and contrasting silvery trims and stitching that enliven things nicely.
The steering wheel is nicely trimmed, with easy-to-learn button controls and massive, quality paddle shifters (4x4 models only) situated behind.
The most impressive change from the Triton is the 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, available only on the Exceed. The Pajero Sport GLX and GLS use a carryover instrument cluster from the Triton.
There’s one annoying quirk you’ll notice up front, however: the indicators. Well, perhaps you mightn’t have noticed before but now you will.
The noise they make is irritating, and they sound like a metronome.
The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and satellite navigation.
Unfortunately, it’s the same dated navigation system found in other Mitsubishi products.
That means the map is always massively zoomed out when you open the app and doesn’t automatically rotate in the correct direction as Google Maps or many factory navigation units will.
The maps also have poor contrast at night – everything is grey on grey.
The front seats are plush yet supportive and remain comfortable over long distances. Likewise the second row, where there’s also plenty of legroom.
The Pajero Sport’s ute origins are evident as the cabin is narrower than a typical crossover at this price point.
The third row is the most disappointing part of the Pajero Sport’s interior.
To get back there, you need to pull the lever on either side of the second-row seats. They then fold 60:40 up against the front row seatbacks.
Next, you need to awkwardly clamber back into the third row. There’s no graceful way to do this.
For such a boxy, upright SUV, you’d expect third row headroom to be pretty good.
The Pajero Sport is a tight squeeze in terms of both third row legroom and headroom for adults – the seats are clearly designed for use by smaller passengers, and feel dinky.
Exterior
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport received a mid-life update in 2019 that brought a refreshed front fascia and reworked tail lights, among other changes.
Mitsubishi has tried its best to disguise the ute-based underpinnings with its Pajero Sport but they are still evident from some angles.
Regardless of the facelift, the Pajero Sport's styling is seen as polarising.
There are LED headlights that are standard across the range, including LED daytime running lights and fog lights.
One sticking point for people seems to be the tall taillights. The overly vertical tail lights aren’t the best stylistic choice for a ute-based SUV as they accentuate its tall, narrow appearance.
Like an Everest or Fortuner, the Pajero Sport would look vastly better with a wider body and track but, alas, that’s not in the cards.
New for the 2022 model year, the top-of-the-range GSR receives an exterior black pack. There's black-finish 18-inch alloy wheels, as well as a black roof, bumper and headlights garnishes, rear spoiler and grille.
Pajero Sport Photo Gallery
Pajero Sport Colours
White is the standard colour, with all other shades costing $740 with the exception of White Diamond, a $940 option.
The optional shades are:
- Sterling Silver metallic
- Graphite Grey metallic
- Black Mica pearlescent
- Dark Blue pearlescent
- Terra Rossa pearlescent
- White Diamond prestige
The GSR is available only in White Diamond or Black Mica, while the base GLX isn’t available in White Diamond, Black Mica or Dark Blue.
Cost of Ownership
Mitsubishi hasn’t announced any changes to service pricing for 2023. The following prices currently apply to MY20, MY21 and MY22 Pajero Sports.
- Service 1: $399
- Service 2: $399
- Service 3: $499
- Service 4: $699
- Service 5: $499
- Service 6: $699
- Service 7: $499
- Service 8: $999
- Service 9: $599
- Service 10: $699
How it Drives
All 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport models use a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 133kW of power and 430Nm of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Mitsubishi’s Super-Select II four-wheel drive system features a full-time four-wheel drive mode as well as selectable low- and high-range gearing and a locking rear differential.
The GLX and GLS are offered with a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.
Though it shares its underpinnings with the Triton, the Pajero Sport does a credible job in concealing its ute origins.
Take, for example, the ride quality. It’s vastly superior to the Triton, banishing the jiggly, unsettled feeling of the Triton.
Much of the credit goes to the three-link, coil-spring rear suspension, replacing the leaf springs of the Triton.
There’s still some impact harshness over sharp ruts but it’s fairly compliant for an SUV with a live rear axle.
Noise suppression is also far superior to the Triton, particularly on the highway. Where the Triton’s engine clatters, the Pajero Sport’s is hushed.
There’s the typical turbo-diesel soundtrack as you punch it from a stop but it never crosses the line into becoming raucous.
It doesn’t cross the line into becoming particularly fast, either, but there’s adequate power to motivate this large SUV. The eight-speed automatic transmission also feels well-matched to the turbo-diesel four.
To drive the Pajero Sport, however, is to understand there are still compromises being made.
While it feels dramatically improved over a Triton, it’s no match for a Hyundai Santa Fe dynamically.
The car-based crossover will run rings around the big Mitsubishi.
While the Pajero Sport isn’t a match for crossovers on the road, it can go farther off road.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the Pajero Sport is the Super-Select II 4×4 system in four-wheel drive models.
The default 2H is rear-wheel drive, and there’s the usual 4-High mode with locked centre diff to fix front-to-rear torque flow, and 4-Low that activates the transfer case. But there’s also a 4H permanent AWD setting with open diff that can be used on normal roads, particularly when wet, snowy or gravelly, without you having to fret over transmission wind-up like older-school part-time setups.
There’s an additional rear diff lock to apportion rear-axle torque effectively to stave-off free-wheeling when the surfaces are super uneven, and various surface-specific switchable modes that adjust the throttle take-up and stability control lassitude.
Mitsubishi cites a maximum braked-trailer tow rating of 3.1 tonnes (for 4x4 models), but we’d err on the side of caution with that figure. For a caravan, boat, or 2.2-tonne horse float it’ll do the trick.
There’s a trailer stability assist function built into the stability control, which does a good job stabilising you in crosswinds or over uneven surfaces. You’d be doing well to get turned inside-out or jackknife. Grab a brake controller and tow kit and you’re set for the family getaways.
Pajero Sport Safety Rating
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a five-star rating from ANCAP with a 2015 date-stamp, with the rating based on that of the mechanically related Triton ute.
This rating was based on a frontal offset score of 15.22 out of 16 and a side impact score of 16 out of 16. Whiplash and pedestrian protection were rated Good and Acceptable, respectively.
All 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport models come standard with the following safety features:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Front, front-side and curtain airbags
- Driver’s knee airbag
- Reversing camera with rear parking sensors
Blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view camera and rear cross-traffic alert are standard in the Pajero Sport Exceed and GSR.
Pajero Sport Lifecycle
The current-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been on sale in Australia since October 2015. At the time it succeeded the second-generation Mitsubishi Challenger.
Initially available with only five seats, a seven-seat option was added in May 2016 to the higher-spec GLS and Exceed variants.
Mitsubishi gave the Pajero Sport a facelift in 2020 that brought with it a refreshed exterior design, a new 8-inch infotainment system, and an available 8-inch digital instrument cluster, among other minor changes.
In 2022, Mitsubishi added two entry-level 4x2 variants to the Pajero Sport range, as well as a range-topping GSR trim with an exterior black pack.
Pajero Sport Options
The $2250 Deluxe Package available on the GLS adds:
- Surround-view camera
- Leather upholstery
- Power front seats
Pajero Sport Warranty
The 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.
Mitsubishi’s standard warranty covers five years or 100,000km, but so long as you return to one of its dealerships at each service this extends to 10 years or 200,000km.
Servicing at dealerships also lets you take advantage of Mitsubishi’s 10 years of capped-price servicing.
Pajero Sport Stock Availability
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport should be available either in stock or within 1-2 months of order. Unlike some other cars in market, the Pajero Sport is not under extreme pressure of chip shortages or other market conditions.
Pajero Sport Infotainment
All models come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - missing out on wireless capabilities.
Stepping up to the higher spec Exceed and GSR will also see you get an 8.0-inch instrument cluster display.
Pajero Sport Boot Space
The Pajero Sport’s luggage space with the seats all in place is 131L in seven-seat models and 502L in the base GLX, increasing to 1575L with all rear seats folded.
Pajero Sport Fuel Economy
All 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport models use 8.0L/100km on the ADR combined city and highway cycle and have a 68L fuel tank.
The 2023 MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT is Combined (8.0) and E10 Compatible (-).
Pajero Sport Dimensions
The 2023 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport measures 4825mm long, 1835mm tall and 1815mm wide on a 2800mm wheelbase.
Unbraked towing capacity is 750kg and braked towing capacity is 3100kg (3000kg in 4×2 variants), while maximum towball load is 310kg (300kg in 4×2 variants).
The Pajero Sport’s approach angle is 30 degrees, its departure angle 24.2 degrees, and its ramp breakover angle 23.1 degrees.
It has 218mm of ground clearance and a fording depth of 700mm.
The 2023 MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT measures 4825mm long, 1815mm wide and 1835mm tall, with a 2800mm tall wheelbase.
The 2023 MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT has a braked towing capacity from 3000kg to 3100kg depending on the variant and an unbraked towing capacity of 750kg.
Pajero Sport Market Fit
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is categorised as a Large SUV There are currently 10 other options in the Large SUV segment, those that fit within a similar price range include:
Pajero Sport Sales Data
In 2021, Mitsubishi sold a total of 6804 Pajero Sport models.
Over the same time period it was outsold by the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado (21,299 sales), Isuzu MU-X (10,618 sales) and the Ford Everest (8359 sales). It did outsell the Toyota Fortuner (3822 sales).
Pajero Sport Reliability
Given the vehicle has been around now for a number of years, CarExpert cannot find any known, systematic reliability concerns for the Pajero Sport range. Most issues we are aware of are minor and localised to a particular car and most often fixed under its 5-year warranty (often extended to 7-years via promotion).
Should you buy the Pajero Sport
The Pajero Sport may be based on the Triton ute but this isn’t simply a ute with a shell on the back.
Mitsubishi has comprehensively refined the Pajero Sport’s on-road behaviour.
You will, however, feel a difference between this and a car-based crossover SUV like a Santa Fe. Quite simply, you need to evaluate whether you actually need the superior towing and off-road capability the Pajero Sport provides.
If you’re never going to bother taking your SUV off the road, the Pajero Sport isn’t the ideal SUV for you due to its rather cumbersome handling.
It’s also let down by a third row that simply isn’t as comfortable as one might expect from an SUV this size.
The handsome interior could also do with some upgraded materials to truly differentiate it from the Triton.
Nevertheless, if you plan on doing a healthy mix of both on-road and off-road driving, the Pajero Sport represents terrific value.
Competitor Analysis
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport's most obvious competitors are the ute-based Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Fortuner.
Both the Everest and MU-X now offer a maximum of 3500kg braked towing capacity, whereas the Fortuner and Pajero Sport (4x4 models) still only offer a maximum of 3100kg braked towing capacity.
It also competes against the ever-popular Toyota LandCruiser Prado, which is both larger, heavier and much more expensive than the Pajero Sport.
The Pajero Sport is also cross-shopped with seven-seat SUVs like the Ssangyong Rexton, LDV D90, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Mazda CX-9.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Interesting Facts
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is known as the Shogun Sport in the UK market and it's available as a commercial vehicle with the second and third rows of seating removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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