The updated Pajero Sport looks great on paper in the typical Mitsubishi fashion.
What’s new?
Mitsubishi Motors Thailand has facelifted the Pajero Sport and given it more features to remain competitive in the pickup-based SUV market.
The front face has been tweaked to come in line with the Triton pickup, the donor vehicle of the Pajero Sport. They include slimmer head lights and new fog lamp inserts and grille design. The rear light cluster now has shorter teardrops.
While the seven-seat interior is the same as before, the centre console has been redesigned to accommodate a new information display with smartphone connection, digital instrument display and electronic parking brake with automatic hold function.
New driving aids for the Pajero Sport comprise of lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert, while the tailgate now has a power operation for ease of use.
The drivetrain remains unchanged: 181hp 2.4-litre diesel-turbo, eight-speed automatic and the brand’s Super Select 4WD system.
As competitors have realigned their pricing, the Pajero Sport’s prices in 2WD form have dropped from 1.301-1.544 million to 1.299-1.469 million baht. Due to more kit, the price of the 4WD version has risen from 1.544 million to 1.599 million baht.
What’s cool?
Despite the arrival of some updated rivals, the Pajero Sport’s drivetrain is still decent even if it can’t outwit the Ford Everest’s latest 213hp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel in a straight line.
The Mitsu’s diesel continues to have ample mid-range punch, refinement and frugality by class-standards. We managed around 13-14kpl out on a drive to Hua Hin.
Sure, all those new useful features are not readily available across the range as they cost money. But for the price, the Pajero Sport in range-topping form can be considered better value than the similarly-specced Everest and Toyota Fortuner. The 4x4 system in the Pajero Sport is one of the best around, too, thanks to an array of driving modes.
While the subtle cosmetic changes on the outside still make the Pajero Sport a sharp-looking SUV in its class, the new console inside feels more upmarket than ever especially the good-looking and clearly legible instrument panel. Even the Nissan Terra, the newest member in the Thai pickup-based SUV, doesn’t feel as modern, be it on the exterior or interior.
Probably the weakest point of the Pajero Sport when compared to most of its competition is the handling. Although the driving characteristics isn’t soggy as in the Isuzu MU-X, the Mitsu lacks the crispness of the Terra and intuition of the Everest.
Like in most other pickup-based SUVs, the third-row seats are more suited for children. Space and comfort in the second tier, however, aren’t short.
Let’s get one thing clear first. If you like a seven-seat SUV with good on-road driving manners, look away now and rationalise those like the car-based Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail.
But if you simply need outright interior space without caring about size and pickup-like underpinnings, then you might consider reading on. Better, if off-roading is also on your agenda (which is highly unlikely).
The Pajero Sport is still a fine choice for those who like an SUV filled with toys and priced attractively. It may not drive sure-footedly as some rivals on the sealed tarmac, but most buyers should find it doing a sufficient job under restrained driving conditions.
In fact, Mitsus have always been like this, that is, looking good on paper and in the showroom. In the case of the Pajero Sport, it’s the GT-Premium spec that looks cool.
