An all-new Mitsubishi Pajero won’t mean the end of the current Pajero Sport in New Zealand, with the two SUVs set to be sold alongside each other once the new model arrives before the end of the year.

Mitsubishi New Zealand (MMNZ) has confirmed to CarExpert that the current Pajero Sport will remain on sale alongside the new Pajero, despite the two models sharing similar positioning in the brand’s SUV lineup.

“Pajero Sport is alive and well,” MMNZ said in a statement.

“Imports haven’t been discontinued and they are in stock at both MMNZ and dealers with further shipments on the way.

“We’ll be selling Pajero and Pajero Sport alongside each other going forward.”

The Pajero Sport has been on sale in New Zealand for more than 10 years, having launched locally in 2015. It’s based on the fifth-generation Triton that was sold between 2015 and early 2026, while the new Pajero will be based on the current-generation Triton platform.

MMNZ hasn’t confirmed why it plans to sell both models alongside each other, nor when shipments of the Pajero Sport will eventually end, but pricing could be a key factor.

Mitsubishi Australia recently announced a four-model Pajero range priced from AU$68,490 to AU$84,990. That represents an almost AU$17,000 premium over the entry-level Pajero Sport in Australia, or AU$13,500 over the flagship Pajero Sport sold there before its discontinuation in 2021.

While the new Pajero brings increases in engine performance, towing capacity, off-road capability and technology, it’s also expected to command a significant premium over the current Pajero Sport in New Zealand.

MMNZ is yet to announce local specifications and pricing for the new Pajero, but a starting price somewhere around $75,000 to $80,000 could be possible based on Australian pricing.

The current Pajero Sport is available in two grades in New Zealand, starting from $64,990. That could leave it as a lower-cost alternative for buyers who don’t need the larger Pajero or its 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

The new Pajero is powered by a specially developed 2.4-litre turbo-diesel producing 480Nm, compared with 135kW of power and 437Nm of torque from the current Pajero Sport’s 2.4-litre diesel engine.

Mitsubishi hasn’t yet published the final New Zealand-market power figure for the new engine, but its 480Nm output represents a 43Nm increase over the Pajero Sport.

The new Pajero retains an eight-speed automatic transmission, although Mitsubishi says it has been specifically developed for the new model.

The biggest mechanical change is arguably the four-wheel drive system. The current Pajero Sport uses Super Select II 4WD, while the new Pajero retains Super Select 4WD-II and adds Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

The new model also gets seven drive modes: Normal, Eco, Gravel, Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock. The system can adjust torque distribution and braking at individual wheels, giving the Pajero a more sophisticated approach to managing traction than the current Pajero Sport.

There’s also a major change underneath. While the current Pajero Sport uses independent suspension at both ends, the new Pajero switches to double-wishbone independent front suspension and a five-link solid rear axle.

The setup is intended to improve wheel articulation off-road while also enhancing ride comfort on-road, with Mitsubishi developing the new Pajero around the concept of ‘off-road comfort’.

The new Pajero also has a stronger focus on off-road ability, with 230mm of ground clearance, a 30.4-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree ramp-over angle, and a 25.8-degree departure angle.

A 3D Multi Around Monitor provides an under-floor and front view to help drivers identify obstacles and terrain hidden beneath the front of the vehicle.

Inside, the difference between the two models is even more pronounced. The current Pajero Sport’s cabin is showing its age, while the new Pajero brings a substantially more modern and upmarket interior.

It features a large 14.3-inch central touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster, heritage-inspired Multi Meter graphics, wireless smartphone connectivity, a 12-speaker Yamaha Ultimate sound system, acoustic glass, additional sound insulation, three-zone climate control, and ventilated seats.

Mitsubishi appears to be positioning the new Pajero further upmarket and a direct competitor to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Ford Everest, rather than simply replacing the Pajero Sport with a newer version of the same formula.

Despite the changes, the new Pajero retains a three-row, seven-seat layout. Mitsubishi says it has paid greater attention to third-row accommodation, with the second row able to slide through 150mm and increased foot space for third-row occupants.

With the new Pajero bringing a substantial increase in technology and capability, the continued availability of the Pajero Sport could therefore give Mitsubishi a way to cover a wider range of price points in the New Zealand seven-seat SUV market.

The new Pajero will also be joined by the Outlander Sport HEV, the brand's first convention hybrid, with both due to arrive in New Zealand before the end of 2026.

MORE: 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero revealed: Icon reborn as Triton-based SUV

New Mitsubishi Pajero won’t replace current Pajero Sport in NZ

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