Mitsubishi updates Pajero Sport with fresh tech

Mitsubishi has seen fit to treat the Pajero Sport to some cosmetic surgery and time at a day spa to bring a youthful glow back to this ageing platform. Despite sitting alongside a new Triton in the brand’s showrooms, this model still rides on the previous generation of the popular ute’s underpinnings.

To sample the freshened up offering, we headed into the South Australian countryside to pit it against the challenging tracks at Adelaide Hills 4WD Park, before going further out into the sand dunes in Peake (where the drive mode collaborations for this car were done many years ago).

For 2024, the Pajero Sport returns to a 4×4-only line-up, with the slow-selling 4×2 model axed only a little more than a year after its introduction. Five variants are on offer, with the five-seat GLX kicking the range off at $51,540.

All other variants, the GLS, GLS Deluxe, Exceed, and GSR, feature seven seats, with the latter topping out at $64,840 – all plus on-roads. Mitsubishi expects an almost even sales split across the range. It’s a positive then, that a selection of GLS, Exceed, and GSR models were all present for our two-day test program.

Most of the upgrades are cosmetic though, with a revised front end bringing a more modern look, with an updated grille, and new black strip. It now spans the gap between the headlights across all models, having previously only been seen on the GSR.

There are new lower bumper garnishes both front and rear, which also help it look a few years younger too. Updated 18-inch alloy wheel design features across the range in either silver, two-tone, or black depending on the grade.

The range-topping GSR is treated to the most visual changes, with an extensive darkened theme. This includes black mirror caps, door and tailgate handles, and Range Rover-esque bonnet badging. It also features a black roof on all four of its colour options, including the newly-introduced Graphite Grey.

On the inside, the GSR also scores with rather stunning two-tone burgundy and black premium synthetic leather upholstery. GLX and GLS grades feature cloth instead, while the GLS Deluxe and Exceed score black synthetic leather with grey stitching.

The digital instrument display included on the Exceed and GSR grades also features updated graphics which certainly looks the part, while all models feature a new steering wheel design borrowed from the new Triton. That, in and of itself is the most impactful upgrade of all.

Ergonomically, while the cabin is on the narrower side, there’s a good driving position aided by that new wheel design, and having a set of column-mounted paddle shifters from the Lancer Evo X is a great help too. The first-row seating feels nicely supportive.

The second-row could perhaps do with a little bit more bolstering when it comes to riding over the rocky terrain we traversed at times. The operation of the third-row seating is a little bit awkward as well. A two-stage process requiring the seat base to be tumbled forward before folding the backrest down isn’t ideal.

Having driven many other Pajero Sport offerings over the years, this writer knew to look out for this when throwing gear in the back before setting off. A few others at the media event struggled to get their head around this process.

Do also note that while the new instrument cluster graphics are nice and slick, the infotainment screen does feel a bit old and clunky at this point. It is nice to have TomTom navigation included, particularly when Waze or Google Maps won’t serve you well when you’re in the bush with no reception.

Apple CarPlay or Android Auto does still require a cable. It still uses an older USB-A connection too, rather than USB-C, and you can guess which type of cable I’d naïvely left at home. While its age lets it down in a few respects here, the oily bits underneath certainly do their job very well indeed.

On the tracks of Adelaide Hills 4WD Park in particular, it didn’t set a foot wrong. It was easy to keep the bonnet nice and level over even the harshest terrain thanks to its communicative hydraulic power steering. The gearing of its eight-speed automatic is spot on as well, including in low-range.

The 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel has a decent amount of power on offer, but 133kW and 430Nm aren’t ground breaking figures, to be fair. You might be left wanting for more when you’re going for an overtake on country roads, but for low-speed off-roading there’s no need.

On the sand at Peake, the engine’s peak torque output coming on at 2500rpm also turned out to be a good thing. While on the higher side for a diesel, it being concentrated right where you’d want it to be on loose terrain proved a winner.

Thanks to a rear-biased 33:67 torque distribution from its four-wheel drive system, the chassis is nice and playful when the surface allows for slip. Featuring both a transfer case and locking centre differential, this clever arrangement also allows for on-road four-wheel drive in 4H.

This leaves the centre diff open, while it locks up for off-road use in 4HLc and 4LLc. A rear differential lock is also standard for when going really gets tough. Its off-road drive modes are also nicely calibrated, each allowing for the right amount of leniency from the traction and stability control programs.

Considering it was pitted against some truly rugged terrain at times – there were very rocky sections on both courses – the body control is fairly good from behind the wheel over such terrain, although less so in the rear seat. This translates to good on-road ride quality as well.

As an off-road vehicle, there’s an awful lot to like about the Pajero Sport, with its clever drivetrain the star of the show. This platform’s age lets it down against the soft-roader SUV crowd though. That said, there are plenty of people for whom this traditional and reliable approach will be a better fit.

It comes with a class-leading 10-year/200,000km warranty.

Our test vehicles were provided for independent review purposes as part of a two-day launch event hosted by Mitsubishi Australia. This article first published on Exhaust Notes Australia.

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