finder score: 77.33%
| Website | Rating | Notable quotes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CarsGuide | 77% | "That leaves us with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed as our victor – it offered the best balance of comfort, convenience, safety and value, while also managing to better its rivals for on and off road manners in whole terms. It's a charming car, and the one most of our testers would want to live with day in, day out." | Read more |
| Car Advice | 75% | "Is the Pajero Sport GLX a beaut choice as an affordable family-hauler with proper off-road ability? Absolutely. Is it the shrewdest buck-banging SUV option if you're urban-dwelling and rarely likely to hit the rough stuff (even if you're seduced by the jacked-up mud-flinging aesthetic)? No it's not." | Read more |
| WhichCar | 80% | "The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a rugged wagon that is very good off road but comfortable – and easy to drive – on the road." | Read more |
| Performance Drive | No score given | "It's an SUV that can go proper off-roading. We give huge credit to Mitsubishi for offering forward collision mitigation as standard on all models, and packing the GLX with a good mix of features to keep all family members happy." | Read more |
Forming the Pajero Sport line-up are four different models, the value for money GLX and GLS SUVs, the aptly named Black Edition (with a dark styling package) and the top of the range Exceed.
The GLX is the entry spec Pajero Sport. It is available as a five seater only and its drive-away cost is $44,990. For your money, you'll get an eight-speed automatic gearbox, Super Select II 4WD (a kind of terrain select system), forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is missing on many competitors) and rear air vents (also missing on the majority of entry grade models).
Bumping up to the GLS, you have the option of five or seven seats. The five-seater model costs $50,490, while the extra two seats will set you back an additional $1,500, bringing your price up to $51,990. The GLS features leather seat facings, a rear diff locker, automatic rain-sensing wipers and dusk-detecting headlights. You also have dual-zone climate control, a rear spoiler and a dimming rear-view mirror.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Black Edition
The seven-seat-only Black Edition wears an inky exterior styling package that consists of the following:
All for the drive-away price of $53,490.
Finally, there's the Pajero Sport Exceed. Mitsubishi fits all the bells and whistles for this range-topper, including a 360-degree bird's eye view camera, a rear spoiler, blind-spot alerts, heated front seats, an eight-speaker sound system and an accelerator override that'll stop you accidentally hitting the right pedal and colliding with an obstacle. See the below video.
| GLX | GLS | Black Edition | Exceed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4WD, 8-speed automatic, 2.4-litre diesel, 5 seats: $44,990 | 4WD, 8-speed automatic, 2.4-litre diesel, 5 seats: $50,490 4WD, 8-speed automatic, 2.4-litre diesel, 7 seats: $51,990 | 4WD, 8-speed automatic, 2.4-litre diesel, 7 seats: $53,490 | 4WD, 8-speed automatic, 2.4-litre diesel, 7 seats: $56,990 |
Metallic and pearlescent finishes cost an extra $690. The Black edition comes in either Starlight White, Titanium Grey or Pitch Black for no extra charge. The range-topping Exceed can be painted in the following colours at no extra cost:
The above prices are from Mitsubishi's website. The prices include 12 months rego and CTP insurance, stamp duty, dealer delivery costs and a 7-year warranty (up to 150,000km).
| Website | Pros | Cons | Notable quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| CarsGuide |
|
| "The Pajero Sport is comfortable enough to live with as a family car, but also offers the capability to head properly off road for a bit of adventure. And it will go further than a Kluger or Sorento, too." |
| Car Advice |
|
| "The recent sprinkling of equipment fairy dust goes some way to maintaining some shine to its appeal, if wrapped more in a context of price-led value than anywhere else, especially here at the range's entry point." |
| WhichCar |
|
| "There are five-seat and seven-seat versions, both offering excellent fuel economy from a modern diesel engine and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. All have autonomous emergency braking and integrate smartphones well." |
| Performance Drive |
|
| "If you can look past the ugly rear-end design, the 2018 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a strong contender." |
Powering the entire Pajero Sport range is a four-cylinder, MiVEC, 2.4-litre turbo diesel engine, the same one you'll find in the Triton ute. It produces 133kW at 3,500rpm in the Pajero Sport, and it's good for a decent 430Nm of torque at 2,500rpm.
Mitsubishi pairs the 4N15 diesel with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The transmission has paddle shift on all models as well as a manual shifting mode. In preparation for off-roading, owners have the ability to choose between high- and low-range ratios and different terrain modes.
The 2.4 diesel engine is generally thought to be grunty, smooth and not overly noisy. It may not be the most powerful engine available, but having eight ratios and the option to manually override the gear selection process means you can eke out every drop of performance. One reviewer felt the gearbox was sometimes clunky but preferred the Pajero Sport's eight-speed automatic gearbox to the Triton's six-speed transmission. Another tester used the Pajero Sport to tow a car trailer, complete with a vehicle on it. They discovered that even with loads, the engine and gearbox dealt with things confidently and didn't make too much noise in the process.
| V8 Petrol | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine type | MIVEC DID Turbocharged | |||
| Drivetrain | Selectable 4WD | |||
| Engine size/displacement | 2,442cc | |||
| Fuel type | Diesel | |||
| Cylinders | Four, inline | |||
| Fuel tank capacity | 68 litres | |||
| Max power | 133kW @ 3,500rpm | |||
| Max torque | 430Nm @ 2,500rpm | |||
| Fuel consumption (combined) | 8.0l/100km | |||
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | N/A | |||
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 | |||
| Top speed (km/h) | N/A | |||
| Security | Encrypted engine immobiliser and alarm | |||
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic with paddle shifter | |||
| Towing capacity (unbraked/braked) | 750kg/3,100kg | |||
According to the Green Vehicle Guide, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the following fuel efficiency:
Based on those figures, driving 14,000 kilometres per year, with roughly two-thirds of the time spent in urban environments, you'll spend approximately $1,944 on diesel.
You should bear in mind that these figures are calculated using a testing procedure with very rigorous criteria. Unlike driving on actual public roads, there are no random or uncontrolled influences. On a real-world road, this is obviously not the case and variations in the weather, your driving style and the load you're carrying and even the trim level of your Pajero Sport will alter your fuel economy. Use the brochure numbers as a way to compare different car models.
In the real-world then, how did the testing panel rate the Pajero Sport on fuel usage? It turns out that fuel economy on the Pajero Sport is pretty reasonable, considering it is based around a 4WD ute. The type of driving undertaken varied wildly. On the motorway for a few hours, one outlet read 7.4L/100km on the dash. When towing, the numbers jumped up to low 13s. Another expert suggested to expect averages of below 10 litres in use.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has tall tyres, a high body (and therefore high centre of mass), off-road capable suspension and a ute-derived ladder rail chassis. On paper, it sounds like a handling nightmare. However, Mitsubishi engineers have opted to use a multi-link rear set-up with coil springs and a stabiliser bar on the Pajero Sport, rather than leaf springs and a solid axle like the Triton. The result, according to testers, is that the Pajero Sport is more civil and more refined than its commercial-use biased sibling. Another journalist backed this up, saying it felt much smaller to drive than it actually is.
With that said, the Pajero Sport isn't without some foibles. Testers criticised areas of the on-road handling, especially in the urban jungle, saying that the steering was slightly vague. Others suggested it was pretty good for a relatively serious off-roader, especially on the highway. However, the body does shift around a bit, but this is a typical trade-off that must be made in order to have a capable off-roader.
Overall though, the Pajero Sport is fairly well sorted on road. And most of the testing panel were in agreement that the Pajero Sport rides better than the ute it is built on. For a start, it has a 0.6m narrower turning circle at 11.2 metres
In summary, from the comments of the automotive experts, it seems Mitsubishi's Pajero Sport will handle to an agreeable level around town, and it comes into its element when venturing off-road.
Car reviewers rated the Pajero Sport interior somewhat highly. They said it was a modern interior, which had sufficient room, although a few reviewers complained it could do with more in the way of tech and equipment. The middle row of seats has an acceptable amount of legroom, but only for two adults and a child. The rear seats, as is usually the norm, are really only suited for use by children and shorter adults.
Crucially, for a vehicle that can be used off-road, testers commented on the interior, saying it was hard wearing. One major point of contention, a motoring journalist who did some trailer towing with the press car found the reversing camera is positioned slightly off centre. This, they explained, made hitching up a little annoying as the view was distorted slightly.
One reviewer really didn't rate the infotainment system, stating the touchscreen interface was cumbersome and had poor audio quality. Another expressed dissatisfaction with the shape of the dashboard, which they argued would reduce legroom for long-limbed drivers.
The Pajero Sport range starts with the five-seater-only GLX model. The GLX has a drive-away price of $44,990. It's well trimmed out for the money, which a number of reviewers commented on. For a start, you get an eight-speed automatic gearbox with paddle shifters and a 4WD transfer box complete with high-low ratio. There's even the ability to select different off-road modes. However, unlike higher spec models, you don't get a rear diff lock, which could see you get a bit bogged down in sticky mud. Additionally, the Pajero Sport GLX has 18" alloy wheels and a full-size spare.
There's also Mitsubishi's own active safety suite, which includes the following:
It's great to see adaptive cruise control as a standard inclusion. For parking and manoeuvring, you get a rear-view camera and parking sensors. Some manufacturers install a lower end infotainment system, perhaps with a smaller screen, on entry models. This isn't the case with the GLX, as you get a 7.0" screen with smartphone connectivity. The only thing you lose out on is extra speakers, with the GLX having just four. Mitsubishi also chose to strip back the aircon to a single zone, but it does have rear vents, which is a bonus for helping occupants in the middle row keep their cool. The seat fabric is designed to repel water, making it practical for families. For an entry-level model, the list of features is rather comprehensive.
If you want seven seats in your SUV, then you'll need to look at the slightly more premium GLS. This model sells for $50,490 as a five seater and $51,990 with room for seven.
Additions include a rear differential lock, dimming rear-view mirror, auto dusk-sensing headlamps and rain-detecting wipers. Mitsubishi upgrades the sound system with two additional speakers, totalling six. The AC system is also an improvement over the GLS, with dual-zone climate control. GLS models have halogen fog lights, which the GLX models do not. Finally, rounding out the smart cabin are leather seat facings, with an electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seat.
Next in the range is the Black edition. As the name suggests, this trim has multiple components finished in black, including the alloy wheels, the grille, the roof, the spoiler, the roof rails and, unique to the Black Edition, the nudge bar. You'll spend $53,490 for the seven-seat-only Black Edition.
Filling a buyer's desire for extra tech and luxury is the top level Exceed Pajero Sport. The Exceed has two additional active safety features not available on the rest of the range: a blind-spot warning system and an assist that will stop you from accidentally accelerating into things. Improving upon the solitary reversing camera is Mitsubishi's multi-around monitor. This set-up shows a bird's eye view of your surroundings. This model also benefits from front parking sensors. Adding to the high-end feel is a premium sound system with eight speakers. Keeping your headlamps crystal clear is a pair of headlight washers. The Exceed makes cold mornings a little more pleasant, thanks to heated seats up front. The drive-away price for all the extra gadgets is a not too unreasonable $56,990.
| GLX | GLS | Black Edition | Exceed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-star ANCAP rating | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electronic park brake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cruise control | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Speed-sensitive intermittent windscreen wipers | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Intermittent rear wiper and washer | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear parking sensors | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Front parking sensors | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Rear-view camera | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Brake override system (BOS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Adaptive cruise control (ACC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Forward collision mitigation system (FCM) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Trailer stability assist (TSA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Adjustable speed limiter | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Emergency stop signal function (ESS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hill descent control (HDC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-lock braking system (ABS) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Active stability control (ASC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Active traction control (ATC) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Hill start assist (HSA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Emergency brake assist system (EBA) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ultrasonic misacceleration mitigation system (UMS) | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Blind-spot warning | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Electrochromatic rear-view mirror | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rain-sensing wipers | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automatic dusk-sensing headlights | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-around monitor (MAM) | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| GLX | GLS | Black Edition | Exceed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-zone climate control | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| Dual-zone climate control | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Apple CarPlay/Android Auto | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Speakers | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Premium audio | ✔ | |||
| Infotainment touchscreen | 7.0" | 7.0" | 7.0" | 7.0" |
| DAB radio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bluetooth connectivity/voice control and audio streaming | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear cooler | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear A/C vents | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| One-touch start system | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 220V AC power outlet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Second row USB x 2 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Leather bound steering wheel/gear shift | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multifunction steering wheel controls | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Side and rear window demisters | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Keyless entry with central door locking | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Smart key | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 3 x 12V accessory socket | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Water-repellent seat fabric | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| Premium fabric seat trim | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
| Leather seat facing | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Power adjustable driver/front passenger seat | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Second-row recline adjustment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Third-row recline adjustment | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Heated front seats | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| Seats | 5 | 5 or 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Rear floor storage box | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| GLX | GLS | Black Edition | Exceed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy wheels | 18" | 18" | 18" (Black) | 18" |
| Door handles | Chrome | Chrome | Chrome | Chrome |
| Side steps | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Privacy glass | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roof rails | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| LED brake lights | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Daytime running lights DRL LED | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Automatic headlight levelling function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| LED headlights | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fog lights (front) | ✖️ | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen |
| Door mirror integrated turn indicator | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Electric door mirror adjustment | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Power folding wing mirror | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rear spoiler | ✖️ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Nudge bar | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ | |
| Headlight washers | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✖️ | ✔ |
| GLX | GLS | Black Edition | Exceed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure angle (degrees) | ||||
| Approach angle (degrees) | 26.0 (nudge bar) | 30.0 | ||
| Ramp breakover angle (degrees) | ||||
| Ground clearance (unladen) | ||||
| Fording depth | ||||
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is an accomplished SUV, well suited to the needs of the modern family. It's also keenly priced and generally well rated by our panel of auto experts. It has also won shoot-outs against its rivals like the Ford Everest, the Isuzu MU-X, the Toyota Fortuner and the SsangYong Rexton. A few journos weren't enamoured with the rear-end styling, but if that doesn't bother you, you're getting a capable and luxurious 4x4 for your money. It seems that many felt the seven-seater GLS was the pick of the crop, offering the perfect blend of value and high-end trimmings.
Pictures: Mitsubishi
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