Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Pajero is back, and it's not just a rumor this time. After what feels like an eternity of teasers and speculation, Mitsubishi finally pulled the wraps off the fifth-gen Pajero. It's got the classic body-on-frame bones, a punchy turbo-diesel under the hood, and all the off-road kit fans have been begging for. Even on paper, it looks ready to throw down with the big names, and Mitsubishi brought out a rally-ready concept just to show off how wild this platform can get.Sure, we've all seen the press shots, but it's a different story in the metal. The flagship SUV looks way more upmarket than the photos let on, but it hasn't lost any of its tough, go-anywhere attitude. The moment it hits the show floor, it's clear this thing means business as a real Land Cruiser rival.AutoblogView the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleMore Premium Than the Press Photos SuggestThe new Pajero's stance is something photos just can't do justice to. With its upright hood, squared-off arches, and flat roof, it nails the classic Pajero look, only now everything's sharper and cleaner. The T-shaped LED headlights are slimmer than you'd think, and depending on the trim, you get either horizontal slats or a honeycomb grille up front.AdvertisementAdvertisementColor makes a big difference here. The Armor Metallic Copper launch paint gives the Pajero a surprisingly upscale vibe, showing off those crisp lines and the blacked-out roof. Go for the darker gray, and suddenly it looks ready to take on the wild – especially with all the factory accessories bolted on.And about those accessories – Mitsubishi didn't just park a bunch of plain Pajeros on the stand. There's one kitted out with heavy-duty bumpers, bull bars, LED lights, snorkels, roof racks, tow hooks, and all sorts of recovery gear. It does look like a factory-built expedition rig, ready to hit the trail the moment you drive off the lot.Inside, the dash is all about those twin 14.3-inch screens stretching across the cabin, but Mitsubishi thankfully didn't go full touchscreen overload. You still get proper physical climate controls, non-generic knobs, and tough-feeling switches – just what you want in a real off-roader.Soft-touch materials, contrast stitching inspired by Japanese Kimekomi, and camel leather seats make the Pajero feel way more upscale than you'd expect. The driving position is spot-on, visibility is great thanks to that upright windshield, and the center console puts the Super Select 4WD-II controller and real off-road switches right where you want them – no touchscreen menus to dig through.AutoblogView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleSized Right to Challenge America's Land CruiserThe Pajero is bigger than you might think. Its 113-inch wheelbase is actually a hair longer than the US-spec Land Cruiser, which should mean more room for passengers in the back. But the rest of the dimensions tell a slightly different story.DimensionMitsubishi Pajero / MonteroToyota Land Cruiser (US-spec)Length193.7 in193.9 inWidth75.8 in78.0 inHeight75.2 in75.8–76.2 inWheelbase113.0 in112.2 inGround clearance9.1 in8.7 inDespite the longer wheelbase, the Pajero is actually a bit shorter, over two inches narrower, and sits lower than the American Land Cruiser. So its footprint is almost a dead ringer for Toyota's US-market SUV, not the massive Land Cruiser 300 you see in Australia or the Middle East.AdvertisementAdvertisementOff-road chops? The Pajero's got them. There's 9.1 inches of ground clearance, Super Select 4WD-II with low range, Active Yaw Control, and seven drive modes – Mud, Sand, Snow, Gravel, Rock, Eco, and Normal. Under the hood, you get Mitsubishi's new 2.4-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder, good for 201 hp and 354 lb-ft, all running through a fresh eight-speed automatic.AutoblogIs It Coming to America?That's still the million-dollar question. Mitsubishi hasn't said yes to a US launch, but the hints are piling up. The Montero name is coming back in traditional markets, US dealers have already had a sneak peek behind closed doors, and execs admit there's a lot of interest in bringing a flagship SUV back to North America.If the Pajero does land in the US as the Montero, don't hold your breath for the diesel. A gas or hybrid setup is way more likely for America, but Mitsubishi's keeping those details under wraps for now, so that's something to watch out for.If it happens, Mitsubishi will finally have a real body-on-frame flagship again, ready to go toe-to-toe with the Land Cruiser in size and purpose. The big question left is price. If Mitsubishi can beat Toyota on cost and keep all the tough hardware, this could be the most interesting SUV the brand's built in decades.AutoblogView the 6 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.