The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV has been with us for many years, but it periodically receives certain updates to remind us of itself. The same happened this time: a change in the model year, a few new parts on the outside, updates inside, and a changed list of equipment. And what do we have in the end? We formulate the main questions about the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport – and look for answers!
Traditionally, let’s start with the appearance: what has changed?
As is usually the case with such intermediate updates, the exterior of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has been updated in only a few details: a new grille, modified wheels, black trim on the mirrors and door handles, a similarly black roof and rails, and a notable black rear spoiler. Moreover, this black trim is part of a package offered only in the maximum Ultimate configuration.
Therefore, if you do not want to have such a black and glossy decor, you can choose a car in a different configuration and get a more traditional silver and chrome design of the details. Nevertheless, I would like to note my personal opinion: I frankly like Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in this form. After all, without losing its essence and the look of a “true canonical SUV”, it seems to have visually rejuvenated and freshened up.
The car has changed significantly in detail, but has not changed globally in its dimensions: length – 4.84 meters; width – 1.82 meters; height – 1.84 meters; wheelbase – 2.8 meters. We are looking at a real frame SUV, so the considerable ground clearance (218 mm) is complemented by “fleshy” wheels with high-profile tires (265/60 R18) and good entry/exit angles of 30 and 24.2 degrees, respectively.
Well, there are not many changes on the outside… But what’s inside?
There are also some changes in the cabin, but they are also few. You immediately notice the burgundy-black seats – this is a feature of the Heat Guard combined leather trim, which is supposed to protect against excessive heat in direct sunlight. However, the test drive of the car took place at the end of autumn, so I did not notice any special problems with seat heating – but I would like to note the beautiful color scheme and attractive appearance of this finish. Especially in combination with titanium-gray decorative inserts on the front panel (by the way, the panel itself is made of hard plastic) instead of the previous light silver elements.
The displays have also changed. Yes, that’s right, in the plural – we’re talking about the digital instrument cluster and the multimedia system. And these are the changes I can’t say I like. The digital instrument cluster has a new design, but it looks too futuristic for a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the speedometer is in the form of a curved line with a small digital indicator shifted to the right; the tachometer is generally tiny, which makes its readings difficult to read. You might say that a tachometer is not needed on a car with an automatic transmission. Then there was no need to draw it at all. But instead of all this, there was an opportunity to draw a bunch of decorative images. No question – it looks good. But what about reading the information? The previous version of the digital instrument cluster looked more concise and at the same time was easier to read quickly.
The other display is about the Nakamichi multimedia system, which is not an original Mitsubishi Motors part or accessory and is not installed by the car manufacturer; in fact, the multimedia system is a third-party accessory. And it is noticeable. Nominally, we have an increase in the diagonal of the display: previously it was 8-inch, and now it is 9-inch. However, at the same time, we have rather mediocre sound (and that’s an understatement), tiny uncomfortable touch buttons on the side of the display, no all-round view – and once it was… Thankfully, at least there is support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (a wired connection is required), and it is possible to “register” control buttons on the steering wheel: you can adjust the volume, switch tracks, and so on.
The interior has changed due to the emergence of a new trim option: combined burgundy-black leather, titanium-gray inserts – all this I certainly welcome, it looks good! But the new digital instrument panel and the Nakamichimultimedia system raise unpleasant questions. If you don’t take into account the new version of the seat trim, then there are no changes at all – perhaps this is for the best: there is enough space in width and above the head (only the floor is high), it is possible to adjust the angle of the seat back, to the expected armrest and power outlets, a separate ventilation system and seat heating are added as a bonus. The trunk is quite large – as much as 715 liters – but it has a high threshold and considerable depth, and there are not enough niches for small items. On the other hand, there is an electrically operated lid and a pair of hooks for bags.
Okay, with the changes in appearance and interior, everything is clear. What about the technology? How is it driving?
The technology of the third-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV has remained unchanged since its first appearance in Ukraine many years ago: a frame base, an in-line 2.4-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (181 hp and 430 Nm), a classic hydromechanical 8-speed automatic transmission, independent 2-lever front suspension, a solid rear axle beam on springs, permanent all-wheel drive Super Select 4WD II with the ability to lock the center differential and a lowering row (ratio 2.566), the ability to lock the rear differential, several driving modes for off-road. The technology is unchanged – and the impression of the car is also unchanged.
On asphalt roads and with dynamic driving, you want to ask: where is the Sport that is present in the model name? After all, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport tends to be more inclined to a measured pace of movement, accelerating at a smooth or at most at an average pace (although the dynamics measurements may pleasantly surprise), the suspension adjusts to comfort, and the steering wheel makes about 3.7 turns from stop to stop – you constantly “wind up” on it in the turns. However, thanks to the high-profile tires and fairly soft springs, it is possible to maintain a good pace of movement on bad roads without slowing down. This is exactly the case when more speed means fewer potholes. After all, if you start driving over bumps slowly, you will notice unpleasant vibrations from the heavy rear axle and large wheels. And if you want to make a sharp turn, you’ll get a huge roll of the tall body in addition to the “long” steering wheel.
So: forget about all these sharp movements and sports in the form of slalom on the road or sprinting between home and office; instead, you can think of sports in the form of rally raids. After all, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV offers quite fast movement on roads and confident overcoming of obstacles beyond them. In this case, the engine will constantly operate in the range of 1.7-2-2.5 thousand revolutions, where there is already sufficient traction, but there is no loud unpleasant diesel rumble. However, if you need to accelerate and overtake someone, if you need to start from a standstill as dynamically as possible, this turbodiesel engine will show all its power, which is reached at 3,500; but it will not forget to loudly confirm all this with a sound in the cabin. The automatic transmission is well tuned for this engine: it shifts quickly and imperceptibly; and together with the diesel traction in a wide range, it gives the impression of a continuous thick stream of traction. Which is then sent to all four wheels via the Super Select 4WD II all-wheel drive system – and it’s really great!
On unpaved roads, this large and heavy (2065 kg) vehicle allows for a sliding ride, but under driver control, as if recalling Mitsubishi’s once glorious Evo past. The thick tires and soft suspension provide comfort without any complaints about vibrations. The same is true for the steering wheel: its emphatically not sharp and light neutral effort is no longer a criticism, but an advantage – a minimum of unpleasant jolts and vibrations in the hands, instead, the ability to set the course smoothly and easily on forest trails. Finally, don’t forget about the low range (for example, when you need to slowly crawl uphill) and the rear differential lock in case the rear wheels hang out – frankly, they hang out a little earlier than I expected. However, in any case: on the road, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a real king! In many ways, this is also because this car does not talk about its cost and supertechnology at the subconscious level, but simply says – friend, let’s go again!
Turbo diesel, automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, a choice of off-road driving modes, and the overall chassis design – all of this has remained unchanged for many years. As well as the impression of the car: this giant is not very comfortable in the city, but on the highways and off-road it reveals itself as best as possible! By the way, about the city and the highway: fuel consumption in the city averages 11-12 liters per 100 km, the minimum is 9 liters, the maximum exceeds 13 liters; on the highway, when driving at a speed of about 100 km/h, fuel consumption is 7-7.5 liters. These figures, plus or minus, correspond to the passport figures (9.8 liters in the city and 7 liters on the highway are promised). As for the speed indicators (0-100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and a maximum of 180 km/h were promised), the car even slightly exceeds the promised: my own measurements show a dynamics of 11-11.4 seconds. Moreover, over several years of test drives, I have had several versions of the third-generation Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in my hands , and it has always shown much better dynamics than promised.
All in all, it’s a nice piece of equipment! And how much do they ask for all this?
Today, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport SUV is offered in Ukraine with the aforementioned 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine, automatic transmission, permanent all-wheel drive, a lowering row, and a rear differential lock. In fact, the buyer only has to choose one of two configurations: Style or Ultimate. However, it is interesting that there are two options for purchase and four price tags – all due to the availability of promotional price offers that are valid at the time of preparation of this material.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Instyle offers: seven airbags, stability control, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, additional interior ventilation system, keyless entry and start, color 8-inch digital instrument cluster, multimedia system with 9-inch touchscreen display and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rearview camera, combined leather interior trim, electric driver and front passenger seat adjustment, 18-inch alloy wheels, side steps, LED headlights, additional cornering lights, etc. The special price of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2 .4L 8AT 4WD Instyle starts from UAH 1.93 million or $46.4 thousand, the standard price starts from UAH 2.03 million or $48.8 thousand.
TheMitsubishi Pajero Sport Ultimate variant adds the following: an air ionization system in the cabin, an electric luggage compartment door with an opening sensor, interior trim in burgundy Heat Guard combined leather with black inserts, a black exterior package, etc. The special price of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 2 .4L 8AT 4WD Ultimate starts from UAH 2.04 million or $49 thousand, the standard price starts from UAH 2.14 million or $51.5 thousand.
In any configuration, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers LED-headlights, adaptive cruise control, two-zone climate, heated steering wheel (the button for which is hidden deep inside the cabin) and seats, numerous security systems, keyless entry and start, a rearview camera, a digital instrument panel, and a multimedia system. The maximum version adds black exterior elements, two-tone interior trim, and an electric trunk lid.
So, in general, should I buy or not?
The answer to this question lies in your personal needs and requirements according to your lifestyle. If you want a true large frame SUV with superior all-wheel drive and a lowering range, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is simply a no-brainer for the money. The closest ideologically similar competitors from the “real SUV” segment are more modern and powerful – but much more expensive, with a price difference of $10-20 thousand or more. You can find another option, somewhat cheaper, but it will be a smaller Chinese car with a gasoline engine. Finally, for $45-50 thousand, the Ukrainian market is ready to offer a lot of crossovers: quite large, roomy, technologically advanced, with more economical engines – but all of them will have a load-bearing body and “passenger car” all-wheel drive.
So it turns out that the main feature and strength of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is that it has remained itself for many years. At the same time, it hasn’t forgotten to periodically update itself to remind potential buyers and fans of real SUVs about itself again and again – not so much about the updates as about its unchanging key advantages.
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