Mitsubishi Pajero: the frame is back, but the automaker wants no truck-like jolts

The new Mitsubishi Pajero is returning to a full ladder-frame chassis, but engineers aren’t willing to let owners live with a pickup’s rough manners. In a fresh teaser, the company revealed the SUV’s underbody and confirmed the S-AWC system. The main task for engineers is to combine the stiffness and long suspension travel needed off-road with a comfortable ride on paved roads.

The Pajero is built on the sturdy frame of the Mitsubishi Triton pickup, known in some markets as the L200. At the same time, the cabin and the front and rear suspension were engineered specifically for the SUV. Mitsubishi promises reduced body roll and vibration on rough roads while keeping stability during hard impacts and major changes in terrain.

An important confirmation is the use of Super-All Wheel Control. S-AWC coordinates the all-wheel-drive system with the car’s electronics, optimizing traction, handling and stability across different surfaces. However, Mitsubishi has not yet revealed the transmission layout, the set of off-road modes, ground clearance or wading depth.

The return to a separate frame changes the whole philosophy of the Pajero. The third generation, launched in 1999, switched to a unibody structure with built-in load-bearing elements, while the new model once again uses pickup-based architecture. 32CARS.RU previously reported on the model’s first official confirmation and its autumn premiere.

The world premiere of the new Pajero is set for autumn 2026. So far, Mitsubishi has confirmed the Triton frame, a dedicated suspension and S-AWC, but hasn’t named the engine, dimensions, sales markets or price. So the main question now isn’t off-road capability — it’s whether the body-on-frame SUV has managed to keep the comfort of earlier generations.