Mitsubishi has officially brought the Pajero back, unveiling the fifth-generation SUV in Tokyo on 2 September 2026. The nameplate returns five years after overseas production ended in 2021, now positioned as Mitsubishi’s new global flagship with a larger three-row cabin, stronger premium focus and serious off-road hardware.

For Gulf buyers, the key news is that Mitsubishi has confirmed the new Mitsubishi Pajero for the Middle East from fiscal 2027 onward. A specific UAE launch date, local pricing and final GCC specifications have not yet been announced.

Mitsubishi’s official Pajero teaser released ahead of the September 2026 world premiere:

New Mitsubishi Pajero: What Has Been Announced

The new Pajero will be built at Mitsubishi’s production base in Thailand. Thailand will receive it first, followed by Japan and Australia during Mitsubishi’s 2026 financial year, with a wider rollout to around 100 countries from fiscal 2027.

The confirmed launch plan includes:

  • World premiere in Tokyo on 2 September 2026.
  • Production at Mitsubishi’s manufacturing base in Thailand.
  • Middle East sales planned as part of the wider fiscal 2027 rollout.
  • A return five years after overseas Pajero production ended in 2021.

Bigger Body And A More Usable Three-Row Cabin

Mitsubishi has increased the Pajero’s footprint while keeping it within the traditional large-SUV class. The new model measures 4,920mm long, 1,925mm wide and 1,910mm high, with a 2,870mm wheelbase.

Key dimensions and packaging details include:

  • 230mm of ground clearance on versions fitted with 20-inch tyres.
  • A 150mm sliding range for the second-row seats.
  • A seven-seat layout designed to provide more usable third-row space.

The longer wheelbase and wider body should be particularly relevant for buyers using the Pajero as a family SUV. Mitsubishi has also added an elevated driving position and a 3D camera system to improve visibility around the vehicle.

2.4-Litre Diesel And Proper Four-Wheel Drive Remain Central

Mitsubishi’s global reveal confirms a specially developed 2.4-litre clean diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbocharger, producing up to 480Nm of torque and paired with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Australian specifications list output at 150kW.

The off-road hardware is extensive:

  • Super Select 4WD-II offers 2H, 4H, 4HLc and low-range 4LLc settings.
  • Seven drive modes include Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand and Rock.
  • A ladder-frame chassis is paired with double-wishbone front and five-link rigid rear suspension.

Mitsubishi also quotes a 30.4-degree approach angle, 22.6-degree ramp breakover angle and 25.8-degree departure angle on vehicles equipped with 20-inch tyres.

More Luxury Inside Without Abandoning The Pajero’s Off-Road Focus

The cabin is where Mitsubishi has made the clearest move upmarket. The company calls the new design direction “Grand Charisma” and has added what it describes as a new level of prestige alongside the Pajero’s traditional focus on capability, reliability and comfort.

Depending on specification and market, equipment includes:

  • Twin digital displays measuring up to 14.3 inches each.
  • A 12-speaker Dynamic Sound Yamaha Ultimate audio system.
  • Three-zone climate control and heated or ventilated seating.
  • A 3D Multi Around Monitor with a front under-floor view.

Acoustic glass and additional sound insulation have also been introduced. The digital Multi Meter recreates the classic Pajero triple-gauge concept with information including altitude, compass direction, temperature, pitch and roll angles.

Why Gulf Buyers Are Paying Attention

The Middle East is not an incidental market in Mitsubishi’s Pajero strategy. In its 2026 mid-to-long-term plan, Mitsubishi specifically identified the UAE as a market where it has built strong brand recognition around the Pajero and outlined plans to introduce off-road models led by the new Pajero series.

That makes the comeback particularly relevant in a region where the Pajero has a long-established following. Its body-on-frame construction, low-range gearing, dedicated Sand mode and seven-seat packaging also position it alongside established large off-road SUVs such as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

What Is Still Not Confirmed For UAE And GCC Buyers

Mitsubishi has confirmed a Middle East rollout, but country-by-country details have not yet been published. UAE buyers should therefore treat specifications announced for other markets as a guide rather than confirmation of the final local model.

Still to be announced for the UAE and wider GCC:

  • Exact showroom launch dates.
  • Local trims and whether diesel will be the only powertrain offered.
  • UAE and GCC pricing, warranty terms and fuel-consumption figures.
  • Final standard equipment and market-specific safety features.

For reference, Australian pricing starts at A$68,490 before on-road costs for the five-seat GLS. That figure should not be used to estimate UAE pricing, which remains unconfirmed.

Pajero Returns With A Clearer Flagship Role In The Gulf

The new Pajero is more than a simple revival of an old badge. Mitsubishi has rebuilt it around a dedicated ladder-frame SUV package, added substantially more cabin technology and refinement, and positioned it as the flagship of its renewed off-road strategy.

For GCC buyers, the main questions now concern local engine choice, specification and price. With the Middle East already included in Mitsubishi’s global rollout plan, the Pajero name is officially on its way back to the region.

I can also monitor Mitsubishi and UAE dealer announcements for the confirmed UAE launch date and pricing if you want an update when those details are released.