Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The Countdown has BegunIt's not often Mitsubishi has a huge global launch, but the return of the Pajero and Montero is the biggest piece of news from the Japanese automaker in years. Unless the company actually plans to bring back the Evo, this is likely the most important model the brand will launch this decade.Speaking of which, the launch of the SUV has been reportedly locked in. The date is said to be September 2, 2026, and if so, the countdown for the world premiere has begun. It's just a few weeks away, and this off-road could make or break Mitsubishi's future.MitsubishiMotorsTV/YouTubeRecent UpdatesMitsubishi has slowly been rolling out a few details about the 2027/2028 Pajero and Montero. Some lucky owners of the previous generation have already seen it, as well as North American dealers. But the latest update comes from the brand itself, and it's making a pretty bold claim.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe new SUV promises to blend off-road capability with on-road comfort. And while many SUVs promise that, Mitsubishi is giving it tech previously unavailable to the Pajero and Montero's predecessors. That would be the addition of S-AWC or Super-All Wheel Control. It was initially developed for the Lancer Evolution X, but eventually made its way to other models. If equipped, it should help the Pajero give it on-road manners that previous models lacked.It's also been confirmed that it will use a body-on-frame platform, and the latest teaser shows that it'll use a live axle rear end. The last two generations of the Pajero and Montero came with an independent rear suspension. While good for on-road ride, it's not the most ideal setup when the terrain gets more challenging.MitsubishiWhy it's a Land Cruiser ThreatHistorically, the Pajero's main rival in Japan and most parts of the world has been the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It's been that way since the '90s, and the rivalry between the two will be reignited. Prior to its discontinuation in North America, the Montero's closest competitor was the 4Runner, and we all know which one sold in far better numbers.With supposed plans to bring it back to the U.S, Mitsubishi may be planning to take away a few sales from Toyota's midsize SUV duo. After all, America now has the Prado, which is simply called Land Cruiser stateside, and Mitsubishi wants to prove something with its comeback kid. Just to make sure it covers its bases, the Pajero/Montero was even seen benchmark testing against the full-sized Land Cruiser that North America doesn't get. Mitsubishi is taking its homework very seriously.Kristen BrownWhat We Know So FarSo far, we know that it'll come with the classic set of off-road-related gauges like Pajeros and Monteros of yore. There's also a strong likelihood of it coming with a modified frame derived from the Triton, Mitsubishi's pickup for many markets. Diesel engines are pretty much guaranteed at this point.AdvertisementAdvertisementFeedback from people who have seen the SUV has been interesting. Dealers have claimed that it feels modern and premium, as well as it being a "night and day from the current aging lineup." Customers from Japan have called it 'huge,' while U.S dealers say it has quite a lot of ground clearance. Dealers also noted that it breaks away from tradition by not having a tailgate-mounted spare wheel.The government of Thailand may have mentioned a crucial detail about it, too. There was mention of Mitsubishi using the country as the production hub of hybrid pickups and SUVs, with the Pajero explicitly mentioned in the government's press release. If so, it might just broaden the appeal of the new-generation 4x4, especially in markets where diesel isn't popular or is being pushed out by legislation.MitsubishiThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.