MITSUBISHI

This is what the new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport could look like

It's not only the Pajero that's making a comeback in Mitsubishi's lineup, as so is its smaller sibling, which adds the Sport moniker. Mind you, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is not exactly dead and buried, as it may have been killed off in Australia at the beginning of the year, though it remains on sale in other markets.

Production of the third generation, which is ten years old, takes place at a couple of factories in Asia, and while this model may not be sold in our market, it remains an important product for the brand. Taking on the likes of the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X, and Ford Everest, it is offered with gasoline and diesel power, and beneath the skin lies the same platform as the old Mitsubishi Triton / L200.

As you already know, the pickup truck received a comprehensive makeover a couple of years ago, so it is only natural for its SUV sibling to follow in its footsteps. And guess what? It is doing that, as a couple of test mules have already been spotted in the open, featuring the same front fascia and a redesigned back end that is no longer home to an open bed, but a closed cargo space behind the rear seats, in a more family-friendly approach.

Between us, we would not be surprised if the all-new Mitsubishi Pajero Sport looks pretty much like an SUV version of the Triton / L200. However, not everyone agrees, as the peeps at Kolesa recently dropped a set of renderings that imagine a completely different design for this potent high-rider. The vehicle features boxy styling, Y-shaped headlights flanking the big grille, a light bar at the rear, off-road-oriented bumpers, plastic cladding, and so on, and a few other bits and bobs that resemble the upcoming Mitsubishi Pajero – you know, the larger SUV that is currently in the making.

The latter has been scooped testing a few times, and word on the street is that it might be a rebadged version of the latest Nissan Patrol. Mitsubishi should give it some of its own identity at the front and rear, with a few minor changes expected in the cockpit, though it should be nothing more than a rebadged Patrol. Some say the larger SUV could come out either in the next few months or perhaps sometime next year, and it seems that the Japanese automaker is taking its time when it comes to the smaller Pajero Sport, as this one could debut either in 2026 or perhaps in 2027.

Autonews