A cheaper Pajero 4WD could be on the cards in the future, according to Mitsubishi Australia’s local boss, Shunichi Kihara. The new Mitsubishi Pajero range starts at $68,490 (before on-road costs) for the base five-seat GLS grade and rises to $84,990 for the range-topping seven-seat GSR.
This means it is one of the most expensive Mitsubishis ever sold in Australia. It is almost $10,000 more expensive than the cheapest Ford Everest, but about $5,000 cheaper than the base Toyota Prado. Isuzu‘s base MU-X is about $13,000 more affordable.
Kihara defended the Pajero’s price point, saying he understood Mitsubishi has been seen as a slightly cheaper alternative to Toyota and Ford in the past, but was confident it would sell well. “I think when we launched the current Outlander there was a price gap from the previous generation, but we were able to attract many new customers,” said Kihara.
“So I think we can do the same with the new Pajero considering the product competitiveness and the price position we have.” The new Pajero is a more premium proposition with rugged good looks, quality off-road tech, and a plush interior that does put it a step above the competition at face value.
This does leave room for a more bare-bones version at the bottom of the range. Mitsubishi has also not yet used the GLX grade designation – its name used for base grades of its rugged vehicles. “We decided the current line-up thinking that this line-up can address all the necessary type of customer in that segment,” said Kihara.
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“Of course, going forward depending on market change, customer demand, we are open to consider making changes to the line-up.” Mitsubishi won’t be able to make a decision on that anytime soon, with the vehicle only going on sale this December. Kihara did rule out a two-wheel drive version of the Pajero and called it inappropriate.
Mitsubishi has hinted at a GLX grade in government filings. The homologation documents, needed to approve a vehicle for sale in Australia, cited four Pajero variants: GLX, GLS, Exceed, and GSR. The last three are part of the new line-up, with only GLX absent.
Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Chery, GAC, GWM, and Geely are all entering the 4WD space, but Kihara said the Pajero has something those do not. “Pajero has name, history, heritage and that it is the flagship of Mitsubishi,” he said.
“It’s reliability, durability, Japanese design and technology — including the 4×4 technology — and also the strong heritage and history and of the adventurous spirit.” Mitsubishi Australia COO Rob Nazzari pointed to the company’s extensive dealer network, 10-year/200,000km conditional warranty, and after-sales servicing as big reasons buyers would choose Mitsubishi over newer brands.
The new Pajero will go on sale this December.