Mitsubishi Pajero

Which Mitsubishi Pajero Version Should You Buy?

The Mitsubishi Pajero catalogue covers eight listed generation and restyling groups from 1981 to 2021, including SUV cabriolet, SUV 3-doors, and SUV 5-doors bodies. The most suitable version depends on whether the priority is performance, measured fuel economy, low engine output per litre, or a later five-door specification.

The Mitsubishi Pajero catalogue covers eight listed generation and restyling groups from 1981 to 2021, including SUV cabriolet, SUV 3-doors, and SUV 5-doors bodies. The most suitable version depends on whether the priority is performance, measured fuel economy, low engine output per litre, or a later five-door specification. Among versions with complete performance figures, the fourth-generation 3.8 AT is the fastest at 200 km/h, while the second-generation 3.5 MT has the quickest measured 0–100 km/h time at 9.5 seconds. For measured economy, the standout is the 197 hp 3.2 MT from the first fourth-generation restyling, at 7.8 l/100 km combined. Buyers wanting the final 2014–2021 five-door group can choose Gasoline or Diesel engines, Manual or Automatic gearboxes, and AWD or RWD, but several versions lack measured performance or consumption figures.

Mitsubishi Pajero generations: what changed?

The first generation, produced from 1981 to 1991, is listed as an SUV cabriolet with 15 modifications. Its displayed engines include 2.3 MT, several 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT versions, 2.6 MT, and 3.0 MT. Output among the displayed versions runs from 84 hp to 141 hp. Depending on the modification, drive is RWD or AWD, while gearboxes are 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic. Ground clearance is 210 mm where measured.

The second generation ran from 1991 to 1998 as an SUV 3-doors and contains 29 modifications. The displayed range includes 2.4 MT, 2.4 AT, 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT, 2.8 MT, 2.8 AT, 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, 3.5 MT, and 3.5 AT. The restyled second generation, produced from 1997 to 2000, is also an SUV 3-doors but contains 44 modifications. Its displayed range expands from the 131 hp 1.8 MT to 245 hp 3.5 MT and 3.5 AT versions. Both second-generation groups use independent torsion front suspension and dependent spring rear suspension in the displayed data.

The third generation ran from 1999 to 2005 as an SUV 5-doors with 18 modifications. Displayed versions include 2.5 MT, 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, 3.2 MT, 3.2 AT, 3.5 MT, and 3.5 AT. Its restyling ran from 2002 to 2007, retained the SUV 5-doors body, and contains six modifications: 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, two distinct 3.2 AT entries, and two 3.5 AT entries. The data distinguishes the 3.2 AT versions by fuel: one is a 160 hp Gasoline version and the other a 160 hp Diesel version.

The fourth generation ran from 2006 to 2011 as an SUV 5-doors with 33 modifications. Its displayed range covers 2.5 AT, 2.5 MT, 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, 3.2 MT, 3.5 MT, and 3.5 AT. The first restyling ran from 2011 to 2015 as an SUV 3-doors with 25 modifications, including 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, 3.2 MT, 3.2 AT, 3.5 AT, and 3.8 AT. The second restyling ran from 2014 to 2021 as an SUV 5-doors with 22 modifications. Its displayed range includes 2.5 MT, 2.5 AT, 3.0 MT, 3.0 AT, 3.5 MT, 3.5 AT, and 3.8 AT.

Mitsubishi Pajero engine specs comparison

Repeated names identify different specifications, so power is shown beside every version. “Not measured” means the supplied catalogue has no value for that field.

The fourth-generation catalogue is broader, but its key comparison is clear. Gasoline output ranges from 174 hp in the final 3.0 AT to 250 hp in 3.8 AT. Diesel choices range from the 136 hp 2.5 AT with 314 Nm to 200 hp 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT versions with 441 Nm. The 197 hp 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT also produce 441 Nm, while the final 178 hp 2.5 MT and 2.5 AT versions produce 400 Nm. Fourth-generation transmissions are 4-speed or 5-speed Automatic and 5-speed Manual; most displayed versions are AWD, although selected 2.5 AT and 3.0 AT specifications are RWD.

Mitsubishi Pajero horsepower, performance, and fuel economy

For maximum measured performance, the 250 hp 3.8 AT is the strongest fourth-generation choice. It produces 329 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds, and has a 200 km/h top speed. Its measured consumption is 17.7 l/100 km in the city, 11.2 l/100 km on the highway, and 13.5 l/100 km combined.

The 245 hp 3.5 MT and 3.5 AT from the second-generation restyling each produce 343 Nm, reach 100 km/h in 10 seconds, and top out at 190 km/h. Their output is exactly 70 hp per litre when calculated from 245 hp and 3497 cc. The earlier second-generation 3.5 MT makes 208 hp from the same 3497 cc displacement and reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds; its top speed is not measured.

For the strongest measured economy, compare the 197 hp 3.2 MT and 197 hp 3.2 AT from the first fourth-generation restyling. Both deliver 441 Nm. The Manual records 9.5 l/100 km city, 6.9 highway, and 7.8 combined, while the Automatic records 10, 7.2, and 8.2 l/100 km. The Automatic therefore uses 0.4 l/100 km more on the combined cycle and is 0.7 seconds slower to 100 km/h: 10.4 versus 9.7 seconds.

The 190 hp 3.2 MT and 190 hp 3.2 AT offer the same 441 Nm. Their combined figures are 8.7 and 9.3 l/100 km, and their acceleration times are 10.2 and 11.1 seconds. Choosing the Manual reduces the measured combined consumption by 0.6 l/100 km and cuts 0.9 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time.

The familiar 178 hp 3.0 MT and 178 hp 3.0 AT each produce 261 Nm and consume 12.2 l/100 km combined. The Manual reaches 100 km/h in 12.6 seconds; the Automatic needs 13.6 seconds. Both have a measured top speed of 175 km/h. Fuel economy is equal on the combined cycle, so the measured trade-off is a 1-second acceleration difference.

Many versions do not have measured acceleration, top-speed, or fuel-consumption values. These figures are not measured for the final 136 hp and 178 hp 2.5 AT variants, the final 178 hp 2.5 MT, the 220 hp 3.0 AT, and several earlier versions. Their missing values should not be interpreted as zero or as proof of inferior performance.

Mitsubishi Pajero dimensions and weight

The supplied data contains no exterior length, width, or height measurements. Those Mitsubishi Pajero dimensions are therefore not measured here. Weight, clearance, tank capacity, and one wheel specification are available for comparison.

The first-generation SUV cabriolet versions with measured weight include the 84 hp 2.5 MT, 103 hp 2.6 MT, and 135 hp 2.6 MT at 1600 kg kerb and 1935 kg gross. The 141 hp 3.0 MT is 1605 kg kerb and 2200 kg gross, with 210 mm ground clearance.

Second-generation kerb weights range from 1665 kg for the 99 hp 2.5 MT to 2030 kg for the 125 hp 2.8 AT among measured entries. The restyled 245 hp 3.5 MT weighs 1900 kg, or 7.76 kg per hp; the 245 hp 3.5 AT weighs 1985 kg, or 8.10 kg per hp. The Manual is therefore 85 kg lighter. Ground clearance across the displayed second-generation and restyled versions is 210 or 225 mm, and the tank holds 75 litres.

The third-generation five-door versions have measured kerb weights from 1860 to 2155 kg, gross weights from 2445 to 2810 kg, clearance from 220 to 235 mm, and tanks of 71 or 90 litres. Within the restyling, the two 202 hp 3.5 AT entries weigh 2110 and 1990 kg respectively, a difference of 120 kg.

Fourth-generation measured kerb weights extend from 2035 kg for one 250 hp 3.8 AT to 2310 kg for several specifications. Gross weight runs from 2530 to 3030 kg, clearance from 220 to 235 mm, and the tank is 88 litres. The final 174 hp 3.0 AT weighs 2110 kg and offers 235 mm clearance; its listed wheel sizes are 265/65 R17 and 265/60 R18. Wheel sizes for the other supplied versions are not measured.

Which Mitsubishi Pajero version should you buy?

Choose the 197 hp 3.2 MT from the 2011–2015 restyling if measured economy and performance carry equal weight. It combines 441 Nm with the lowest supplied combined consumption, 7.8 l/100 km, and reaches 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds. The 197 hp 3.2 AT is the corresponding Automatic option, but adds 0.4 l/100 km combined and 0.7 seconds to the acceleration time.

Choose the 250 hp 3.8 AT if maximum measured speed matters most. Its 200 km/h top speed is 15 km/h higher than the 185 km/h of the 190 hp 3.2 MT and 3.2 AT, while its combined consumption of 13.5 l/100 km is 4.8 l/100 km higher than the 190 hp 3.2 MT’s 8.7.

Choose the 178 hp 3.0 MT if you want a measured Gasoline AWD specification without paying an economy penalty for the Manual: it matches the 178 hp 3.0 AT at 12.2 l/100 km combined but reaches 100 km/h 1 second sooner. Choose the Automatic only when transmission preference outweighs that measured acceleration difference.

For the final 2014–2021 five-door group, the 178 hp 2.5 MT or 2.5 AT supplies 400 Nm, which is 139 Nm more than the 178 hp 3.0 MT or 3.0 AT at 261 Nm. However, acceleration, top speed, and consumption for those 178 hp Diesel versions are not measured. The 174 hp 3.0 AT is the better-documented final version: 13.6 seconds to 100 km/h, 175 km/h maximum speed, 12.7 l/100 km combined, 2110 kg kerb weight, and 235 mm clearance.

The data does not contain prices, reliability records, problems, engine-oil capacity, or sale listings, so it cannot quantify “extra money” or ownership risk. On the measured figures alone, the 197 hp 3.2 MT is the balanced choice, the 250 hp 3.8 AT is the performance choice, and the final 174 hp 3.0 AT is the most fully documented later five-door choice.