Review - 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

AF
By Alexi Falson on 13 Mar 2024
image for Review - 2024 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
OnlineAuto Rating
7.5
out of 10
Pros
  • Attractive price tags for the base model
  • Oustanding off-road abilities for family-friendly SUV
  • Mitsubishi’s warranty remains the longest in Australia
Cons
  • Less towing power than direct rivals
  • Base models miss out on some key safety tech
  • Interior design and tech showing signs of age
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX (2WD) 5 SEAT Specs
    • 68L
    • 212
    • 3500 / 2500
    • Unrated
    • Automatic
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport sits as the company’s largest SUV, offering a best-of-both-worls approach to family motoring with a tough, adventurous spirit.

It’s one of the most versatile vehicles from Mitsubishi, indeed one of the best value options for families and those looking for a tough off-roader and vehicle to tow a boat or caravan on a long-distance road trip.

The Pajero Sport has some fierce rivals in the body-on-frame SUV segment, though, and considering it’s been relatively unchanged since its introduction, the question remains of how well it takes the fight to its competitors.

    Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Competition






    Mitsubishi Pajero Sport





    VS
    Isuzu MU-X
    Ford Everest
    LDV D90
    Toyota Fortuner
    Mahindra XUV700
    Hyundai Santa Fe
    Toyota LandCruiser Prado

    How Much Does It Cost?

    The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport range is priced from $44,940 for the entry-level Pajero Sport GLX 4x2, while the Pajero Sport GLX 4x4 is priced at $49,940.

    From here, the range moves to the Pajero Sport GLS 4x2 which is priced at $50,190, with the Pajero Sport GLX 4x4 priced at $55,190.

    Finally, the Pajero Sport Exceed 4x4 is priced at $60,690 and the flagship Pajero Sport GSR is priced at $62,440.

    Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

    How Much Can OnlineAuto Save You?

    Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, our car sourcing specialists can help you find the best value model for you.

    Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - GLX (2WD) 5 SEAT Specifications

    Model Date 2024
    Make MITSUBISHI
    Model PAJERO SPORT
    Series QF MY23
    Variant GLX (2WD) 5 SEAT
    Body 4D WAGON
    Fuel type DIESEL
    Transmission 8 SP AUTOMATIC
    Drive RWD
    Engine TCDI
    Engine capacity 2442
    Engine configuration VARIABLE DOUBLE OVERHEAD CAM / 16 valves
    Engine RPM 3500 / 2500
    Cylinders DT4
    Torque 430
    KW 133
    Fuel tank size 68.0
    Fuel usage specs 8.0 / 0
    CO2 212
    ANCAP security rating Unrated

    What Features & Specs Does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Have?

    Mitsubishi’s entry-level Pajero Sport comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives a five-seat layout, LED headlights with LED daytime running lamps, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry & start, climate control, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, roof rails, side steps, waterproof cloth upholstery with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an electric parking brake.

    Stepping up to the Pajero Sport GLS range adds a powered boot lift, seven-seat layout, dual-zone climate control, an upgraded sound system, tyre pressure monitoring, automatic wipers & headlights, rear privacy glass and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

    Mitsubishi’s premium Pajero Sport Exceed receives leather upholstery, a surround-view camera, an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and power-adjustable front seats, an upgraded sound system, front parking sensors and remote smartphone connectivity.

    Finally, the range-topping Pajero Sport GSR receives a handful of black elements, from the alloys, rear spoiler, front grille and bumper, a two-tone roof finish, GSR badging and a Pajero-branded logo on the bonnet.

    Connectivity/Infotainment Features

    All members of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport range pick up the same 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display that is paired with a four-speaker sound system in the base model.

    Upgrading to the GLS adds a six-speaker sound system while the Exceed receives an eight-speaker sound system.

    Does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Have wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

    Mitsubishi’s infotainment system does not support wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity, instead, it requires a physical connection to your smartphone to run apps, navigate and mirror your smartphone via a USB cord.

    Is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Comfortable to Drive?

    The driving experience on offer in the Pajero Sport is impressively smooth and comfortable.

    With a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel lurking underneath the bonnet, the Pajero Sport offers decent acceleration in a particularly smooth manner thanks to the torque and eight-speed automatic transmission.

    Around town, it certainly feels like a large package, but not so much that it’s overwhelming.

    The Pajero Sport’s steering rack has quite a bit of weight to it, which means it’s not the easiest to drive around town, though it remains user-friendly enough while parking and making a three-point turn.

    The suspension package has been updated over its Triton twin-under-the-skin to make it a more civilised package on a daily drive.

    The result is an impressively soft ride quality that can eat up bumps on the road without a second thought, though the trade-off here is that there’s some noticeable body roll while cornering.

    It’s also a super impressive off-roader for a family-centric vehicle, with the tough suspension package also making for a great towing vehicle, though it lacks the towing capacity of its key rivals.

    All up, though, the Pajero Sport’s suspension package is perfectly suited to rougher Australian B-roads and can confidently chew up hundreds of kilometres on rougher B-roads. 

    As a complete package, the Pajero Sport is a great package for Aussies looking for a comfortable family vehicle during the week that is equally confident towing heavy loads and hitting off-road trails on the weekend.

    What is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport’s Braked Towing Capacity?

    The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has braked towing capacities standing at 3,000kg in 4x2 variants, while 4x4 variants are rated at 3,100kg.

    The Pajero Sport’s maximum tow ball load is 300kg in 4x2 variants, increasing to 310kg in 4x4 variants.

    What are the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport’s Off-Road Driving Figures?

    The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport comes riding on the same platform you’ll find in the Triton ute, which means it’s quite the performer when pushed off-road for a family SUV.

    Buyers opting for the Pajero Sport 4x4 range pick up a full-time four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case, as well as a locking rear differential to help gain traction on loose surfaces.

    Below you’ll find the Pajero Sport’s off-road credentials.

    • Ground Clearance: 218mm

    • Wading Depth: 700mm

    • Approach Angle: 30 degrees

    • Departure Angle: 24.2 degrees

    • Breakover Angle: 23.1 degrees 

    Is it Fuel Efficient?

    The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport’s combined cycle fuel economy figures stand at 8.0L/100km, making it a reasonably fuel-efficient seven-seat SUV package.

    How Much Fuel Does the Pajero Sport Use Around Town?

    • Pajero Sport 4x2 City Fuel Consumption: 9.8L/100km

    • Pajero Sport 4x4 City Fuel Consumption: 9.8L/100km

    How Much Fuel Does the Pajero Sport Use on the Highway?

    • Pajero Sport 4x2 Highway Fuel Consumption: 7.0L/100km

    • Pajero Sport 4x4 Highway Fuel Consumption: 7.0L/100km

    Is it Practical and Spacious?

    While it’s not the most modern or flashy interior, the Pajero Sport’s cabin is undeniably functional and user-friendly, aiming to keep things simple for busy parents.

    There’s a notable abundance of headroom for those seated in the front of the cabin, which will come as welcome news for tall drivers and front passengers, with decent levels of adjustment in the seating position and steering wheel.

    Practical touches in the front of the cabin include a small storage tray tucked behind the gear lever, a pair of large cupholders, added storage inside the folding armrest, a large glovebox and bottle holders inside each door.

    There’s also a chunky centre console that receives a soft-touch leatherette finish that means your knees won’t be banging up against hard plastics when you’re conquering off-road trails, which is a nice touch.

    In a very family-friendly nod, the Pajero Sport’s centre console has a hidden storage area weaving between the driver and front passenger which is a great place to keep items tucked away and out of the UV.

    Move to the second row of the cabin and there’s a reasonable amount of legroom on offer for adults, though taller passengers might feel a little cramped under the roofline which slightly impedes headroom.

    The second row doesn’t slide back and forth like some of its rivals, though you do pick up ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts for child seats, as well as USB ports and a 150W power outlet.

    In seven-seat form, The Pajero Sport’s third row is designed primarily for young kids, though it gets the job done when needed and makes it a very family-friendly package.

    How Big is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport’s Boot?

    The entry-level GLX comes packaged with five seats as standard, while higher-ranking variants have the three-row, seven-seat layout.

    In a five-seat format, the Pajero Sport GLX has a very healthy 673L of boot space on offer, which drops to 131L in seven-seat form.

    Fold the seven-seater’s third row down and boot space expands to 502L, to a maximum of 1500L with two rows of seats folded to accommodate a heap of luggage, sports equipment and bulky cargo.

    Is it Safe?

    Mitsubishi’s base model receives a fairly decent list of active safety equipment as standard, though unfortunately, some important features are reserved for more premium members of the Pajero Sport lineup.

    The entry-level Pajero Sport GLX receives autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with rear parking sensors and curtain airbags, a speed limiter and a trailer stability control system.

    Buyers hoping to nab rear cross-traffic alerts and blind-spot monitoring will need to upgrade to the GSR and Exceed. 

    Does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

    The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport’s ANCAP safety rating has expired after its 2015 tests.

    As a result, the MY24 Pajero Sport range is untested by ANCAP. 

    What Warranty Does the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Come With?

    Mitsubishi is continuing with its outstanding warranty coverage for the Pajero Sport lineup, offering a five-year/100,000-kilometre warranty that extends to 10-years/200,000km when serviced within the network. 

    Mitsubishi also offers ten years of capped-price servicing for the Pajero Sport, with service intervals set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever elapses first.

    Our Verdict: Is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Worth it?

    While it’s getting a little bit long in the tooth, there’s a long list of reasons Mitsubishi has stuck by the Pajero Sport for so long.

    As a family vehicle, the Pajero Sport is large, comfortable and impressively practical, while its Triton underpinnings give it far more versatility than you’d associate with a family-friendly seven-seater.

    Don’t forget that if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

    Five Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Specs You Need to Know

    1. Five year warranty extends to ten-years/200,000 when serviced within network

    2. 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel produces 133kW/430Nm

    3. 8.0L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures

    4. 3000kg braked towing capacity increases to 3,100kg in 4x4 variants

    5. Base model GLX has a five-seat layout

    AF

    Alexi Falson

    Alexi is an automotive journalist and road tester hailing from Byron Bay. He has an affection for both cars and motorbikes, a great admiration for the simplicity of old-school engineering, and a fascination of new technology making its way to modern cars. When he's not road testing, you'll find him surfing, hiking or helping people find their dream cars.

    Have any questions? Call us on 1300 719 925

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