The Mitsubishi Pajero, a fixture of desert driving in the United Arab Emirates since its launch in the early 1980s, returns this week as a newly redesigned fifth-generation model. The previous version ended a four-decade production run in 2021, leaving the nameplate dormant until the latest reveal. Mitsubishi describes the new model as a flagship cross-country sport utility vehicle built around off-road capability, reliability and comfort.
The original Pajero, underpinned by a body-on-frame structure and powered by a 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine, became an instant success with buyers seeking a rugged, versatile vehicle for desert conditions. A five-door, long-wheelbase version introduced in 1983 seated seven people and appealed to UAE families for both school commutes and cross-country excursions. The model's lower price than competitors like the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol enabled it to occupy a distinct market niche.
Ahmad Pervez, founder of Dubai Offroaders, a licensed desert-driving institute, attributed the Pajero's durability to its Super Select 4WD system, V6 engines, compliant suspension, sensible weight and ground clearance. The third-generation model, launched in 1999, switched to a monocoque chassis rather than body-on-frame construction; Pervez said this design was well-suited to the type of desert dune driving common in the UAE, which differs from rock crawling.
The Pajero accumulated 12 victories in the Paris-Dakar Rally, including seven consecutive wins from 2001 to 2007, earning Mitsubishi Motors a Guinness World Record. Pervez said the fifth-generation model made "one very important decision correctly" by returning to a ladder-frame architecture with a rigid rear axle instead of adopting a premium crossover design.
