Mitsubishi Australia says the fifth-generation Pajero’s higher price reflects its stronger positioning as a premium large off-road SUV.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia has defended the significantly higher price of the new Mitsubishi Pajero, with the fifth-generation SUV set to arrive in the Australian market in December.
The new flagship SUV will start at $68,490 before on-road costs for the five-seat GLS variant. The seven-seat GLS will cost $69,990, while the seven-seat Exceed is priced at $79,990 and the range-topping GSR will cost $84,990 before on-road costs.
The pricing represents a notable increase over the previous-generation Pajero, whose GLX Final Edition was priced at $54,990 before on-road costs when it was discontinued in 2021. It also places the new model above the Pajero Sport, which was discontinued in Australia in 2025.
The new Mitsubishi Pajero will enter a highly competitive large SUV market, facing established models including the Ford Everest, Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X. Its starting price is higher than the Everest and MU-X, while the Prado remains more expensive, starting at $73,200 before on-road costs.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia CEO Shunichi Kihara said the company believes the Pajero offers distinctive strengths that will allow it to compete despite its higher pricing. He also declined to provide a specific sales forecast or reveal the company’s expected market position.
Australia will become the second market for the fifth-generation Pajero after Thailand. The new SUV is being manufactured in Thailand alongside the Mitsubishi Triton and will subsequently be introduced in Japan and around 100 other markets from the 2027 Japanese fiscal year.
Interest in the new model has already been substantial. Mitsubishi Australia had recorded 3,645 expressions of interest before pricing was announced on September 3, following the vehicle’s global reveal in Tokyo.
The company has not ruled out introducing a more affordable GLX variant in the future. Such a version could reduce equipment levels to create a lower entry price, potentially removing features such as a heated steering wheel, powered tailgate, wireless smartphone charging and electric lumbar adjustment.
For now, the new Pajero sits firmly in premium territory. Its top GSR variant approaches $85,000 before on-road costs and could reach around $90,000 drive-away, making it one of the most expensive Mitsubishi models ever sold in Australia.
Despite the substantial price increase, Mitsubishi remains confident that the new Pajero’s capabilities, equipment and positioning will attract customers and support strong sales in the competitive large SUV segment.