Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.It's Happening, FolksMitsubishi has been making a lot of noise surrounding the revival of the Pajero and Montero. Admittedly, we're a little cautious, as there's still a possibility it won't be sold in many markets.Obviously, Asia and Oceania will get it, but he has some doubts about its worldwide availability. After all, Mitsubishi revealed its plans last month, and there was no mention of a new SUV to be offered in the U.S., although a new pickup in cooperation with Nissan is in the pipeline.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs it turns out, not all those plans were laid on the table, as U.S. dealers got a sneak peek of something that wasn't mentioned in the previous presentation. Yes, folks, there's at least one of the all-new Monteros in America right now.MitsubishiDealer Sneak PeekAccording to Automotive News, Mitsubishi dealers in the country were given a special preview of the new flagship SUV. The event was held in Itasca, Illinois, about two hours from Mitsubishi's old assembly plant in Normal. Those who attended shared their thoughts with the publication.One dealer said, "It's night and day from the current aging lineup," while another said it looked "premium and modern." Not only that, but there were also talks of it making its North American debut on or before 2030. If so, it will only be the third all-new Mitsubishi product introduced in the U.S in the last 10 years.MitsubishiMotorsTV/YouTubeWhat They Saw - and HeardThose who have seen the new Montero described it as boxy with 'roughly 12 inches of ground clearance'. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, although to be fair, the Triton pickup that it's based on is nearly 9 inches off the ground. The T-bar arrangement on the headlights will reach production, and the rear lights will follow the same pattern. One dealer said it was comparable to the Toyota Land Cruiser (Prado).AdvertisementAdvertisementAttendees also noted one signature Montero feature missing from the new one. Historically, the Montero always had a tailgate-mounted spare tire, and the door swung sideways instead of upwards. That's no longer the case for the revived model, as it is said to adopt a more conventional layout. Inside, the cabin was said to have a digital cluster, a large infotainment screen, and a new steering wheel design that's expected to be used on other Mitsubishi products down the line. Its third row was noted to be 'spacious.'During the event, it was said that the Pajero could be getting a hybrid powertrain for North America. That's part of the company's goal of selling nothing but hybrids and EVs in the U.S and Europe by 2030, but that does mean Mitsubishi has to come up with something quickly. It's largely confirmed that it will have a diesel engine in most parts of the world, but that won't fly in the U.S. The Outlander's plug-in hybrid setup might be a good match for it.MitsubishiMeanwhile, in JapanPrior to the dealer preview in the U.S., the Montero was previewed in Japan under its home-market name, Pajero, during a special customer event. Yes, members of the public have seen the SUV unmasked.Japanese customers who have seen the Pajero have unanimously called it 'huge,' but it's safe to say it's huge by Japanese standards. That does hint at it growing larger than the previous generation, itself an already sizable vehicle. We're not expecting it to be the size of a Nissan Armada, as it's based on a midsize pickup.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Pajero will be fully revealed in Japan by fall 2026 for the 2027 model year. To be built in Thailand, more markets will get it by next year, likely starting in Asia and Oceania and moving westward.MitsubishiThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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