Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLS review

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Mitsubishi ******* Sport GLS review

Here we are in a segment where the Ford Everest is in pole position, dominating large SUV sales (under $80,000) in 2024 across mainstream and luxury brands — and outperforming my Mitsubishi ******* Sport three-to-one.

It’s stiff competition, whatever way you look at it.

The Ford Everest ended the year on a 21.2 per cent market share, ahead of the Isuzu MU-X in second place on 14.4 per cent, the Subaru Outback in third place on 8.2 per cent and the Toyota Prado and Toyota Kluger, each on 7.9 per cent — a whisker ahead of the Kia Sorento on 7.8 per cent.

The Mitsubishi ******* Sport finished on 5.9 per cent.

Without a doubt, there’s plenty of choice here, so where do you even start?

Do you want diesel, petrol, hybrid or electric?

Do you really need a 4WD?

Do you need seven seats?

Everyone’s needs are different.

Camera IconMitsubishi ******* Sport. Credit: Mitsubishi Australia/Mitchell Oke

But really, there’s not much point driving a two-tonne 4WD around the CBD unless you’re putting all that grunt to good use for other trips.

So, what does the ******* Sport offer?

Well, it’s the successor to the ******* 4WD launched in 1982 and manufactured across four generations until production came to an end in 2021.

Any way you look at it, the ******* was legendary, competing in the Dakar Rally 26 times between 1983 and 2009 with a series of stellar wins.

Oh, it was marketed as the Montero in some markets, including Spain, North America and parts of Latin America, and the Shogun in the United Kingdom.

Call it what you will, I’ve got the GLS here, which is $56,890 RRP, excluding on-road costs.

Mitsubishi Australia says this has been the most popular model in the 12 months to January 2025, with 2102 sales making up 30 per cent of ******* uptake.

The GSR, with 1761 sales, has been second most popular with 1761 sales (25 per cent of model share), followed by the Exceed (1624 sales/23 per cent) and GLX (1485 sales/21 per cent) over the same *******.

******* Sport RRP pricing

There are four variants:

+ GLX 5-seat: $51,540

+ GLS 7-seat: $56,890 (Deluxe option + $2350)

+ Exceed 7-seat: $62,590

+ GSR 7-seat: $64,840

Note: RRP pricing excludes on-road costs.

The lowdown

+ The ******* Sport has a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Quoted outputs are 133kW of power and 430Nm off torque.

+ Part-time 4WD with selectable transfer case. GLS, Exceed and GSR models also have a rear diff lock.

+ Braked towing capacity is 3100kg.

+ Cargo capacity (7-seat): 502 litres to top of second row; 131L to top of third row; 1488L with all seats folded.

+ Fuel tank capacity: 68L

+ Fuel consumption: 8L/100km

+ 18-inch alloys with 265/60 tyres and a full-size spare alloy wheel.

+ Ground clearance is 218mm and fording/wading depth is 700mm.

Safety and driver assistance

The ******* Sport does not have a current ANCAP safety rating. Old models with build dates from October 2015-December 2022 had a five-star rating, which has expired, and cannot be used as a comparison because safety testing protocols have changed.

Additionally, mandatory new autonomous emergency braking regulations come into effect in Australia from March 1, 2025, and August 1, 2026.

All ******* Sports have, as standard, among other things:

+ Seven airbags

+ Forward-collision mitigation system (part of the AEB)

+ Rear-view camera with parking sensors

+ Hill-descent control

+ Active stability control

+ Trailer stability assist

+ Active traction control

+ Anti-lock braking system

+ Electronic brakeforce distribution

+ Brake override system

Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed that curtain airbags cover second and third rows.

But, the rub here is the lack of otherwise basic features in my GLS, notably there is no blind-spot warning, no lane-change assist, no rear-cross-traffic alert, no front parking sensors, no 360-view camera.

Can you handle this given how advanced car tech is these days?

Look at specs carefully — there is a GLS Deluxe option which does come with, among other things, the 360-degree camera that’s otherwise included on the Exceed and GSR.

By the way, all variants do get automatic rain-sensing wipers.

The look

Sure, it’s large — with a length of 4840mm and width of 1815mm on a 2800mm wheelbase.

If you’re 159.5cm like me, you’ll appreciate the side step and side pillar grips getting in.

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The driver’s seat in the GLS has manual adjustments with lumbar support, so it’s easy to get comfortable, but I find the interior a bit dated.

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For a start, the 8.0-inch touchscreen feels too small given 12 inches is more the standard today — and camera resolution could be better, especially at night.

I do, however, like the leather-wrapped steering wheel, which feels nice to hold.

Sure, it’s spacious enough, with cloth upholstery, a centre console with storage box and lid, two generous cupholders, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with voice control and satellite navigation.

The big surprise is the the audio system. You get six speakers in the GLS and, wow, they pack a punch. Dive into sound control settings and you can choose from several music genres and make all sorts of adjustments to suit your taste.

Getting into the third row is easy enough — second row seats flip forward, so there’s plenty of space in the footwell but, really, sitting back here is more for kids.

The drive

You can’t miss the diesel engine hum. I don’t mind it, neither do my passengers, but wind noise is significant at 80-100km/h over the side mirrors

Acceleration is good; no complaints getting up to speed — and you can switch from 2WD to full-time 4WD at up to 100kmh on any surface.

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Surprisingly, despite the lack of cameras and sensors, the ******* is easy to park, but the tailgate is a monster to pull down.

Getting it open is no problem; it’s powered, but it’s heavy to close, so take note, especially if you’re juggling shopping at the same time or nursing a dodgy shoulder.

Really, this is car you’d buy if you were doing frequent long trips, hauling a caravan, and wanted the option of going off the beaten track.

Warranty and servicing

The MY24 ******* Sport comes has a 10-year/200,000km new car warranty when scheduled services are completed at a Mitsubishi dealership.

Servicing is every 12 months/15,000km (whichever comes first), costing, respectively, $449, $549, $499, $849, $549, $949, $749, $999, $899 and $999 at 10 years/150,000km.

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