Mitsubishi Expands Pajero Lineup with Two Smaller SUVs

Three Pajeros: From Midsize Flagship to a Family of SUVs

Mitsubishi is preparing to broaden the revived Pajero nameplate into a three-vehicle family, pairing the new mid-sized 2027 Pajero with two smaller siblings. At the fifth-generation Pajero's Tokyo debut, president and COO Keisuke Kishiura signaled the brand's intent to 'expand the Pajero family to include compact and small utility vehicles.' The company revealed two covered silhouettes, leaving styling, exact dimensions and technical details to our imagination — a calculated tease that promises more announcements over the coming years.

Why smaller Pajeros make sense

Compact and subcompact crossovers are the backbone of global SUV sales, so extending the Pajero badge downward is a sensible move. Customers who love the Pajero's rugged image but find a full-size or mid-size 4x4 too large often opt for smaller, more urban-friendly alternatives. Mitsubishi's move mirrors what Ford did with the Bronco Sport: a unibody, softer-roading sibling that carries the heritage and flair of its larger, body-on-frame namesake.

Mitsubishi's strategy appears two-pronged:

• Introduce a compact 'C-segment' Pajero to compete in global markets against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, likely with electrified powertrain options.
• Launch a much smaller model — possibly a kei car for Japan — that brings Pajero styling and utility to city buyers.

Teasers and timelines

Mitsubishi kept specifics tight. Industry chatter suggests the compact Pajero could arrive no sooner than 2028 as a 2029 model, while the smaller model might follow even earlier in Japan. Platforms were not disclosed, but regulations and market expectations make a unibody architecture the most likely choice for the compact sibling. That would allow the use of mild-hybrid or self-charging hybrid systems to meet emissions regulations and appeal to buyers who expect efficiency and modern connectivity.

The tiny Pajero: a possible return to kei-car roots

One silhouette shown looked decidedly small — hinting at a return to the kei car idea pioneered by the Pajero Mini. Produced for nearly a decade, the Pajero Mini measured just 3,295 mm (about 130 inches) in overall length and filled a niche for buyers wanting off-road looks in an ultra-compact package. A new kei Pajero would likely follow the same formula: a turbocharged 660-cc engine paired with a lightweight all-wheel-drive system to balance fuel economy and traction for urban adventures.

There is precedent in Mitsubishi's history: the Pajero Junior and later the Pajero iO broadened the brand's small-SUV lineage. The Junior used Minica underpinnings with a 1.1-liter engine, while the iO (sold as the Pinin in Europe) offered a more refined small-SUV experience. A modern kei Pajero would tap into that heritage while adding contemporary tech and safety features.

Compact Pajero: target markets and rivals

Outside Japan, the compact model is likely the most consequential. To make inroads against dominant competitors like the RAV4 and CR-V, Mitsubishi will need to combine the flagship Pajero's off-road credibility with the everyday practicality and efficiency mainstream buyers expect. Expect features such as:

• Unibody construction for weight, cost and emissions advantages
• Hybrid or mild-hybrid powertrains to meet global emissions targets
• Available all-wheel-drive systems tuned for light off-road capability
• Modern infotainment and driver-assistance tech

A compact Pajero that keeps some of the rugged charm of the midsize flagship could give Mitsubishi a stronger foothold in the crowded compact-SUV segment.

What happens to Pajero Sport and the new midsize Pajero?

The freshly redesigned 2027 Pajero serves as a new midsize option that replaces the previous full-size model in many global markets and, in some regions, supersedes the Pajero Sport. Mitsubishi has stated that Pajero Sport production will continue but on a limited, market-specific basis. This layered approach — midsize flagship, compact rival, and a tiny urban defender — lets Mitsubishi cover a wide spectrum of buyer needs while leveraging the Pajero's storied off-road image.

Quote to remember: 'We will expand the Pajero family to include compact and small utility vehicles,' Keisuke Kishiura said at the Tokyo premiere — a succinct mission statement for the next chapter of an iconic nameplate.

Whether you favor full-size capability, compact versatility or a kei-sized city cruiser, Mitsubishi looks set to bring Pajero DNA to each segment. Watch for more official details as the silhouettes take shape and launch windows become official over the next couple of years.