2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport review – first drive
Robert Pepper’s first drive 2016 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport review with specs, ride and handling, verdict and rating.
In a nutshell: If first impressions pan out with more time behind the wheel, Mitsubishi will retain their offroad fans and win new ones.
Editor's Rating
Pajero Sport | Pajero | Difference | |
Engine | 2.4L 4cyl diesel | 3.2L 4cyl diesel | Doesn’t matter |
Power | 133 kW @ 3500rpm | 147kW @ 3800rpm | -14 |
Torque | 430Nm @ 2500rpm | 441Nm @ 2000rpm | -11 |
Transmission | 8-speed auto | 5-speed auto | 3 |
Torque split | 40/60 f/r | 40/60 f/r | |
4WD system | Super Select II | Super Select II | – |
Suspension | IFS, rear beam, 4 coils | IFS / IRS, 4 coils | – |
Parkbrake | Electronic | Manual (hand) | |
Fuel consumption (combined) | 8 | 9 | -1 |
Fuel capacity (l) | 68 | 88 | -20 |
Estimated range (km) (1) | 658 | 765 | -107 |
Length / width / height (2) | 4785 / 1815 / 1800 | 4900 / 1875 / 1900 | -115 / 60 / -100 |
Ground clearance (mm) | 218 | 235 | -17 |
Turning circle (m) | 11.2 | 11.4 | -0.2 |
Wading depth (mm) | 700 | 700 | 0 |
Kerb weight (kg, approx) | 2000 | 2255 | -255 |
GVM (kg) | 2710 | 3030 | -320 |
Payload (kg) | 710 | 775 | -65 |
Towing (braked) | 3100kg | 2500kg / 3000kg (3) | 100 |
App / ramp / dep | 30 / 23 / 24 | 37 / 22.5 / 25 | |
Power/weight (kg per kW) | 15.0 | 15.3 | -0.3 |
Rear difflock | Standard across the range | Available on some models, TBA | |
Terrain management | Yes | No | |
Seats | 5 | 7 | -2 |
Safety | TBA (expect 5*) | 5 | |
Active safety | BWS, UMS, AEB | None | |
Camera system | Surround (some models) | Reversing only | |
(1) Added 20% to fuel consumption figure, allowed 100km reserve range. | |||
(2) Pajero has a spare wheel on the rear door which increases length. | |||
(3) 2500kg with 250kg TBM, 3000kg with 180kg TBM. |
- Gravel
- Mud/Snow
- Sand
- Rock
Drive impressions
There aren’t too many “oh no” moments with this car, but one was the location of the spare wheel winch which is inconveniently central in the cargo system… what were they thinking? This is one more reason to fit the car with a spare wheel carrier. The tiedowns are also a bit too far inboard to be ideal. The tailgate is one-piece lift up, and there is a cargo blind as pictured below.
Aussie-spec cars will have the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay system which is excellent news, even if a team of three Mitsubishi reps couldn’t get my Samsung S5 Android to play with the car. This means nobody needs to wrestle with Mitsubishi’s 1990s-spec infotainment units, and it’ll leapfrog them ahead of the competition. Build quality seems pretty good, certainly compared to the Triton Exceed we just tested.
Sounds like a pretty capable vehicle.
But the bar’s going up in this segment of the market. Be interesting to see how they price it.
You’d have to think that with more tech will come a higher price? Isaac
Good early review. I’m very interested in this and the Fortuner. I had a look in the Fortuner yesterday and it’s only 1.55m in length in the cargo area, plus the 34rd row seats impinge on cargo space. Otherwise it seemed like a good solid pretty comfy car (base model GX). I don’t need 7 seats so am hoping the Mitsubishi has better cargo space.
I meant 1.55m with the 2nd row seats folded down and 3rd row flipped up. Can’t sleep in it!
GREAT REVIEW – WELL DONE! Why can’t they make a subsequent model stronger so it can tow more?
This seems to get more from less, but overall it is still less!
Thanks for going that extra mile in your reviews. You have more substance than most other sites!
The artificial wood in the cockpit looks are terrible. I hope that’s the top spec mode only?
The rear looks terrible but in black or blue the flaw doesn’t appear to be so pronounced.
A comment comparing the beast to the Jeep GC would be nice.
Hi Klaus, thanks for that. Our Dr Pepper does his best… I don’t mind the look of the Pajero Sport, but I’m only going off the pics.
I’ll let Robert come back to you about the Jeep Grand Cherokee as he’s driven the Pajero Sport and I haven’t. Yet. – Isaac
Mitsubishi tell us they are over wood in cars. We agree. So, no ‘wood’ in Aussie specs!
Re GC vs Pajero Sport. Can’t really comment too much as I didn’t get that much seat time in PS. However…the diesel GC will tow more (3500kg). I’d say the PS is better offroad at this stage [ Jeep fans sent your comments to iwilltakeyouseriously@practicalmotoring.com.au ] , and has more cargo space. I suspect the GC will handle onroad better, but I also think the PS will be pretty good as well. I don’t mind the PS at all, and would happily have one in my garage.
Thanks for this guys. So glad I found your website. It’s the only one that does proper reviews Inc tech. Most just say nice seats and a grunts engine. Keep it up
Archilles heel for this model has been build quality. How has Mitsubishi addressed this? By itself, kicking Nissan out of the factory probably isn’t enough!
It would be great to know the engineered maximum torque rating of the gearbox. Is it light duty with all this electronic control systems protecting it. The high rpm peak torque looks shaped for some reason.
It would be silly of Mitsubishi not to have piggybacked development of the traction control system for pajero at the same time as they were doing so for pajsport.
Please tell me this car comes with lumbar support for the driver!
Cannot confirm as these sorts of specs will be finalised for the Australian lanch. We are attending it in December.
This is important for me too. The Outlander doesn’t have it, nor does the Fortuner GX that I sat in, or the Forester.
Thanks for the great review. But I am a little bit confused. I am living in Thailand and interested in the New Pajero Sport. In your review and at the pics it has only 5 seats, in Thailand it has 3 rows. But in Thailand it´s only possible to buy the Sport not the Pajero (without Sport). Do you have another Sport in Australia? Or is my english too bad to understand the review complete?
Best regards Chris
In Australia we will only get the 5-seater Pajero Sport. In other markets such as your own you get 7 seats with three rows. The vehicle is otherwise the same. Specifications like this often change between markets. Thanks for the nice words!
enjoyed reading the review,i was dissapointed when i heard that the old pajero would be discontinued as i have always been a fan however the new sport sounds like it might be a good ish replacement.Did mitsibushi say if a winch would be an option especially with all the electronics and sensors.paul
No factory winch option, but expect aftermarket bullbars with winch mounts. The electronics improve the vehicle.
thanks Robert
I recommend to get the last of the challenger model before they’re sold out. Under 33k for the 2015 auto. Better looking than this one and not much to fault. I’ve had mine for nearly a year and can’t fault it. Still whichever one you get they are easily the best value true 4wd you can get. I’ve put mine through hell 4wding and it just doesn’t stop. Haven’t been bogged yet.
Good advice Mavros, the older car is reliable and cheap but basic, maybe what people want.
Certainly good value and reliable – but a bit thirsty if it’s using the old Triton engine in the same tune.
I bought the new Pajero sport. What a disappointment. The radio didn’t work on delivery. The vibration in the car was excessive. Diagnosed after nearly four weeks in the service bay of the dealership as bad tyres. These were replaced but the vibration is still there. Mitsubishi have told me now that this is just a characteristic of the car. Now looking to get a third party assessment as Mitsubishi have wiped their hands of the problem. Car is less than three months old. An expensive mistake.
Did’nt you take it for a long test drive, i would have
Have you tried another one from the dealer to compare?
Fuel tank way too small, min. chips should be 80L. No CD player, 240mm min height would have been a nice target
Other than that outstanding value for money, nothing else to say
Waiting for your world famous hard core 4×4 test
It’s written…will be published over the weekend. World famous? We’d like to think so, but no 🙁
Have bought new Pajero Sport in July’16, had run already 6000km. Had previous one 2006. Incomparable!!! Pajero 2006 – just tractor,nice for off-roads,but hard to drive at traffic jams.Pajero 2016 – more comfortable and smart .Finally Mitsubishi equipped it with very good,helpful electronics. The only annoying thing – no hand-free opening of trunk! Already tested it on dirt and snow with Super Select – just perfect! Happy with this nice piece of art!
Have purchased Paj Sport Exceed in Nov 2016. Clocked up over 5000km`s in 3 months. City driving – amazing, parking is made beyond simple with the camera`s and sensors. Highway driving is a dream, economy is fantastic – ride is comfy as sitting in a lounge chair. Off Road ( Beach and Dirt Road ) comfy ride and has the capability of any full size 4×4. Very impressed – great value for money… a few negatives, the back seats about 2 inches to narrow – boot space could be larger – mapping system although great through the Apple Car Play – It would be good if you could “search for locations and get directions” via the LCD – this has to be done via the phone prior.
Overall a bloody great car for every day work, family and fun..