Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.0 V6: how did the gasoline engine affect the character of the car?
The real Mitsubishi Pajero Sport third-generation frame SUV is well known to Ukrainian motorists in general and site visitors in particular – it has been the subject of separate articles several times in a row. However, there is a reason for conversation again: the appearance in the model range of a 209-horsepower gasoline V 6, which replaces the 181-horsepower 4-cylinder turbodiesel and also offers a lower price tag. What is this: more power for less money? And how did the gasoline engine affect the character of the car? Here you will find answers to these questions.
The new version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport? Is it different from the outside?
I get a test car Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in white with a pearlescent sheen, notice the black wheels and black roof, open the door with a black handle, stand on the silver step for a comfortable landing in the cabin - and go to photograph the car on the same site where I photographed the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV last time. This is a symbol of the fact that the diesel and gasoline versions of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport do not differ from the word "at all" externally.
The last major change to the exterior was the restyling carried out a few years ago: new headlights and front bumper, slightly "trimmed" lights, a full-size digital instrument panel appeared in the cabin. After that, the car received only minor changes-updates. For example, a black exterior package that offers wheel rims, a black roof and spoiler, mirror handles and housings, black bumper trim. It is in this form that the new version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is captured in the photo below.
The appearance of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is well known, as are its overall dimensions: length – 4.84 meters; width – 1.82 meters; height – 1.84 meters; wheelbase – 2.8 meters. Unfortunately, a gasoline car with a large 3-liter 6-cylinder engine does not stand out at all from the outside. For example, I would like to see at least the V 6 logos on the trunk lid and/or front wings. And even if such logos are not available from the factory, they can be offered at least as accessories.
Yes, I understand. However, maybe the interior has changed?
Two names that are important in describing the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport interior are the names Heat Guard and Nakamichi : I like the first, I don't like the second. The bottom line is that the shape of the front panel and center console remained unchanged from the last large-scale restyling. It was then that new bevels of the center console appeared, which allowed to free up additional space for the knees. It was then that the layout of the "automatic" selector and transmission switches changed. It was then that a full-format digital instrument panel was installed for the first time.
But the black-burgundy combined leather trim Heat Guard appeared a little later, but I honestly like it - the interior in such a color scheme has a rather original look. In contrast, I will also mention the Nakamichi multimedia system, which is not an original spare part, but a third-party accessory. What is noticeable: the all-round view function has disappeared, the sound is rather flat and indistinct. Thank you at least for the ability to control the buttons from the steering wheel, as well as for support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
In the back, everything generally remains the same. We have enough space (my own measurements will be given below), a fairly high floor position due to the frame structure, the ability to adjust the angle of the sofa backrest. And we also have a good ventilation system, even if it is not even a separate climate control zone: a pair of deflectors on the ceiling plus adjustment of the air supply intensity. The only remark is that the gasoline version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has lost the rear seat heating that the diesel car had. Finally, a few words about the trunk - it is huge (715 liters) and the designers tried to somehow organize this space and make it convenient to use. Yes, there is an electric lid drive and hooks for bags, and more voluminous things can be fixed with a net. However, there is simply no solution to the problem of a high threshold in the case of any frame car.
The familiar shape of the front panel and center console, a pleasant and original black and burgundy finish, a third-party multimedia system, a rear sofa with adjustable backrest, its own ventilation system in the back, a large trunk – this is what the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport looks like inside.
So, traditionally, we start measuring the dimensions of the cabin from the front. Yes, the length of the driver's seat cushion is 49 cm, which is not much, and the edges of this cushion are also rounded; I would like to have a clearer seat shape and/or a retractable cushion block for better support of the legs from below. The distance from the edge of the cushion to the accelerator pedal is 45-67 cm, depending on the adjustments of the driver's seat. Finally, the maximum height clearance from the seat cushion to the ceiling is 102 cm (measured along the backrest and headrest, the seat is lowered as much as possible, the backrest is set at an angle of 105-110 degrees).
Now about the second row of seats. The leg/knee room ranges from 65-87 cm (from the base of the rear sofa to the back of the front seat, depending on the adjustments and position of the front seat); and this is a lot - there is an opportunity to comfortably place your legs, even despite the high floor. The height of the space is 93 cm, measured from the base of the rear seat to the ceiling, measured along the backrest and headrest.
Finally, a few words about the trunk. Its width between the wheel arches is about 100 cm; however, taking into account the side niches, you can count on 127 cm. Moreover, in the case of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with its large trunk, this considerable space with an extension behind the wheel arches can really be used. Moving on: the depth of the trunk is 123 cm (in the standard position, when the rear row backrests are raised) or a maximum of 174 cm (when the second row seats are folded and folded forward).
Another meeting with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV was a good reason to conduct a series of measurements of the interior space – which you can see here. The only “verbal” note besides the given numbers: I would like to have longitudinal adjustment of the rear sofa, because then it could be moved back as far as possible (the trunk space allows this) and gain additional centimeters of space for the passengers’ legs.
Let's talk about the V6 engine - how much power, how much fuel does it consume, how does it drive?...
The design of the third-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has remained unchanged for many years: a solid frame base, independent front suspension and a solid axle at the rear, a longitudinal engine arrangement and a classic 8-speed “automatic”, Super Select 4 WD II all-wheel drive with a downshift (ratio 2.566) and the ability to lock the “center” and rear differential, several driving modes for off-road use. But here is an important technical change: the engine!
Let me remind you that previously, under the hood of the third-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, officially sold in Ukraine, there was always a 2.44-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel with 181 hp. power and 430 Nm of torque. This turbodiesel met the Euro 5 toxicity standards; but not the Euro 6 standards, which were introduced in Ukraine from the beginning of 2025. And this was one of the reasons for the search and implementation of a new engine in the form of a 3-liter gasoline V 6 with the code designation 6B31.
This engine first appeared about 20 years ago, on the Mitsubishi Outlander XL and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport models of previous generations. Since then, the engine has received several technical updates - for example, the rejection of the adjustable intake manifold (this is to increase reliability) and an increase in the compression ratio to 10.5:1 (this is to increase efficiency). In everything else, the engine is quite familiar: a V -shaped layout, an aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head, a proprietary MIVEC valve timing control system, classic multi-point fuel injection. In general, this 6V31 engine was offered not only for the past Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, but also for the current generation car; it was just available in other markets, but not in Ukraine - and now it has become available to us too.
The frame base and the “advanced” all-wheel drive remained the unchanged basis of the third generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The only, but very important technical change was the engine: a gasoline 3-liter V 6 with the code designation 6 B 31, which develops 209 hp (6000 rpm) and 279 Nm (4000 rpm) - that is, the gasoline engine wins over the turbodiesel in terms of power, but is inferior in terms of torque. A couple more interesting technical indicators: the gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport car is lighter than the turbodiesel version - 1980 versus 2065 kg, respectively. The maximum speed is declared at 182 km/h. However, everyone is probably interested in completely different figures - fuel consumption! So: in the urban cycle, 14.9 liters per 100 km are declared, in the suburban cycle, 9.1 liters per 100 km are promised. So...
The engine has changed, and therefore maximum attention is paid to how this change affects the character of the car. Firstly, it has become quieter in ordinary, smooth, daily trips around the city or suburbs. After all, the V 6 gasoline engine, when operating at up to 3-3.5 thousand revolutions, emits only a deep and barely noticeable hum - it's like a hint of a "big multi-liter heart" under the hood. Although at such a speed, it is not at all clear where all this power of 200+ horsepower went. Do you want to find the answer? Then press the accelerator pedal more actively - so that you constantly see 3-3.5 thousand revolutions and higher on the tachometer. It is in the range of 3-4 thousand that the engine wakes up and, under the loud "roar" of the V6, tries to throw the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport forward: wow, it's already more interesting! Secondly, at maximum acceleration and constant pressing of the accelerator pedal, the tachometer can sometimes show even 6-6.2 thousand revolutions. That is, this engine has a classic passenger car character with a smooth increase in power and torque up to the maximum tachometer marks: more revolutions - more sound and dynamics!
Thirdly: this rule also works on the track during overtaking, when all actions and acceleration occur faster and more efficiently. Well, at least it seems so on an emotional level. After all, if you look at the results of the 0-100 km/h dynamics measurements, then in fact the 209-horsepower atmospheric gasoline engine is inferior to the 181-horsepower turbodiesel - it seems that the issue here is not power, but torque. And what will happen off-road? In principle, any turbodiesel is good with stable traction at low revs when you are trying to carefully drive through mud or climb uphill. In this matter, the gasoline engine may concede - but it again wins over with its smoothness in increasing revs, smoothness of reactions to the accelerator pedal, smoothness in increasing traction. Moreover, in the case of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, in principle, the issue of traction on the wheels is solved by a rather “serious” lowering series.
Finally, regarding the suspension, chassis and steering settings, there are no new features in the character of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - the car has remained itself. The suspension has a specific understanding of comfort: it seems to overcome large pits and hills quite gently, but often on small joints or pits you can feel the vibrations of the heavy rear axle and large wheels. The steering wheel is frankly not sharp (3.7-3.8 turns from lock to lock) and is quite heavy at low speeds, but becomes easy with increasing speed. However, do not rush to make active maneuvers, because in addition to the "long" steering wheel, you will also encounter quite large rolls of the high body located above the frame. The word Sport in the car's name is definitely not about slalom, but about rally raid: when it's not about quick changes and sharp turns, but when you need to race along a bad road, only occasionally correcting the course. If you like this driving style, then there's a chance that you'll like the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport's chassis settings.
The V 6 petrol engine attracts with its flexibility of character: quiet and smooth at low revs, loud and sharp at high revs. It seems that the characteristic roar of the engine (ugh, this classic sound of an atmospheric V 6!) affects the perception of dynamics: it seems very fast - but in fact it turns out 11.7-12.2 seconds. The all-wheel drive system can work in four options, there is also a switch for off-road driving mode; however, it would not hurt to add one more for the V 6 petrol engine - a conditional sport mode, which would force the "automatic" to switch later and let the engine "spin" more at high revs, when there is a good sound and power. Finally, the question of fuel consumption: in general - you can focus on the passport figures. Yes, in the city on average I got fuel consumption within 14-15 liters per 100 km, provided a smooth driving style you can drive stably even with a fuel consumption level of 13 liters with a small one; but if you drive dynamically and/or there will be a lot of traffic jams – then get ready for 17-18 liters per 100 km. On the highway at a speed of 100 km/h the car fits into 8.5 liters per 100 km of the road. In addition, we all know how to reduce fuel costs in the case of a large gasoline engine; right? Especially since there is even a certain gap of money for this – after all, the gasoline version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is more affordable than the diesel one.
What about the price? How much does a gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V6 cost?
So: the 209-horsepower gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport turns out to be cheaper than the 181-horsepower diesel Mitsubishi Pajero Sport! However, the price difference is quite difficult to calculate - it can be 8-272 thousand hryvnias. That's a big difference, don't you agree? The bottom line is that currently the prices for the diesel Mitsubishi Pajero Sport are only announced for the 2024 model year, but there is no price for the 2025 model year car. At the same time, for the gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V 6, prices are presented for both the 2024 model year car and the 2025 model year car; there is also a special price offer with a benefit of 189-200 thousand hryvnias, depending on the configuration. And also add that the diesel Mitsubishi Pajero Sport had heated rear seats (which is now completely absent in the gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V 6); Also, previously, a diesel car in the Ultimate trim level was required to have a black exterior package and Heat Guard combined leather interior trim (which is now offered as an option in the gasoline Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V 6 for 50-51 thousand hryvnias). Therefore, understanding the intricacies of the current Mitsubishi Pajero Sport price list is quite a task! Accordingly, the final price difference between a gasoline and diesel car is calculated depending on the comparison of cars of different years of production, different trim levels, the need to order an option package or the ability to do without it. Let's just look at the price tags...
If we talk specifically about gasoline versions, we start with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.0 V 6 Instyle: all-wheel drive Super Select and 8-speed automatic transmission, forced locking of the rear differential and switching of Mitsubishi Off Rod Mode driving modes , stability control and seven airbags, frontal collision prevention system, monitoring of "blind spots" of mirrors and lane change assistance system, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, digital 8-inch instrument panel, multimedia accessory system with a 9-inch touch display, rearview camera, interior trim with combined leather, LED headlights and cornering lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc. The standard price of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V 6 Instyle is from UAH 1.944 million or $46.8 thousand; special price for a 2025 car – from UAH 1.847 million or $44.5 thousand; special price for a 2024 car – from UAH 1.755 million or $42.3 thousand. For comparison: the standard price for a 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 Instyle diesel car – from UAH 1.952 million or $47 thousand.
The next step is the maximum version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3.0 V 6 Ultimate: an air ionization system is added, an electric trunk lid with an opening sensor under the rear bumper, the ability to control individual car functions from a smartphone, seats with electric lumbar support adjustment; also, as an option package, a black exterior design and interior trim with burgundy Heat Guard combined leather with black inserts are offered. The standard price of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport V 6 Ultimate is from 2.008 million UAH or $48.4 thousand; a special price for a 2025 car is from 1.908 million UAH or $46 thousand; a special price for a 2024 car is from 1.808 million UAH or $43.5 thousand. For comparison: the standard price for a 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2.4 Ultimate diesel car is from UAH 2.080 million or $50 thousand.
A digital instrument panel, keyless entry and start, several security systems, a rearview camera, dual-zone climate control and heating are available in any version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport; as well as all-wheel drive with a low-range and a locking center and even rear differential. But the black exterior package (wheel rims, door handle and mirror covers, black roof, etc.) and contrasting Heat Guard interior trim for the gasoline car have been moved to the list of options.
So: should I buy it or not?
A rather rhetorical question, which is determined not by the engine, but by the very essence of this car. After all, if you need a real SUV, a strong frame and energy-intensive suspension, a good "advanced" four-wheel drive with a reduced range and locks - and if you need to get all this for 1.8-2 million UAH, then there is simply no other similar option on the Ukrainian market at the moment. Therefore, choosing a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, the buyer chooses a car in general for all its advantages and features. And only then the question of the engine arises.
Of course, I would like to see the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport have the option to choose between the previous turbodiesel and this gasoline V 6; but we already have what we have. Moreover, those who wanted to buy a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport with a turbodiesel - have probably already done so in a few years of car sales. But those who wanted to buy a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, but the turbodiesel stopped them from doing so - due to the characteristic noise and vibrations, due to concerns about fuel quality, etc. - finally got a chance to make their dream come true thanks to the appearance of a gasoline V 6.