Based on Mitsubishi Triton, the truck-based Pajero Sport is basically a hardcore off-roader with seven usable seats and good ride comfort. But for the money, there are more civilised SUVs around.
Modern and far removed from appearing utilitarian, Pajero Sport is a good-looking SUV, with more than a hint of Mitsubishi Outlander. That said, key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest both look good, too. Moreover, with Mitsubishi Triton, which shares a common platform with Pajero Sport, having undergone a facelift, the association between the two models is diminished—hence reducing the idea, in the minds of prospective customers, that Pajero Sport is very much a truck underneath.
Pajero Sport is a true off-roader, sharing a ladder frame chassis with Triton. But the front gets a double-wishbone setup instead, while the rear gets a three-link setup with coil springs. Stabiliser bar is standard front and rear, too. Even so, ride comfort improves but handling is still less than confidence-inspiring. The high centre of gravity, low level of mechanical grip and considerable body roll mean that Pajero Sport should be driven with care, especially in the wet. With the canopy in place over the rear, the front/rear weight distribution is better than Triton's, and so feels more balanced.
Thanks to the various suspension setup changes, Pajero Sport rides in a more comfortable, more settled manner compared to its truck sibling, Triton. Road imperfections are overcome without drama, and highway cruising does not feel floaty—a quality not always found in truck-based SUVs. The driving position comes with seat-height adjustments and tilt-adjustable steering column. The dash architecture is imported from Triton, which means everything is optimally positioned. Seats are more supportive than Triton's, but the touch-screen entertainment system could be more intuitive to use.
Pajero Sport carries over the qualities—namely solid construction, good finishing, reasonably appealing materials—that made Triton's cabin the best among trucks. To match its higher-end positioning and bigger price tag, faux wood trim and leather upholstery are standard. But while we can live with the barely convincing wood trim, the shiny plastic stripes along the two sides of the centre console should have been omitted. The underlying mechanicals have been proven reliable in Triton, so Pajero Sport should be of little trouble in the longer term.
Equipped with the 134 bhp, 314 Nm 2.5-litre 16-valve inline-four turbodiesel that also powers Triton, Pajero Sport uses a new four-speed automatic gearbox and delivers power through the new Super Select 4WD system, which shifts between 2WD and 4WD on the move at up to 100 km/h. Low-range gearing and a lockable centre differential are standard, too. The engine performance feels sluggish, however, due to Pajero Sport's substantial weight increase over Triton. Take-off requires time, although picking up speed becomes easier as you go faster. The gearbox works faultlessly, though.
Like key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, Pajero Sport makes a genuine seven-seater. Climbing into and out of the cabin could be a problem for senior family members and young children. But once settled, seven can be seated in good comfort. The front and middle rows are roomy; the last row offers no lack of head- or leg-room, though the relatively low seats mean a less comfortable seating position. As expected, the rear two rows of seats can be folded to free up loading space.
The 2.5-litre turbodiesel runs reasonably efficiently, but Pajero Sport's almost 200 kg weight increase over Triton will surely dent fuel economy. Servicing and repair costs should be affordable. Given the limited demand for truck-based SUVs, residual values would at best be mediocre. The Mitsubishi badge will support prices to a certain extent, but key rival Fortuner wears a Toyota badge, and will retain better values as a result.
Truck-based SUVs like Pajero Sport, as well as key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, have a relatively limited demand for an obvious reason: the truck platform can only be comfortable up to a point, and unless you regularly go off-road, there is no reason to compromise. Yes, Fortuner sells very well, but that is most likely due to the Toyota badge than anything else. If you are an urban folk and want the diesel economy and seven seats, car-based SUVs such as Inokom Santa Fe and Chevrolet Captiva will be more suited for your needs.
Standard equipments include 17" alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob/transfer knob, leather seats, manual air-conditioning with rear cooler, keyless entry, front/rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable and foldable door mirrors, and 2-Din touch-screen AM/FM/DVD/CD/MP3/AAC audio system with USB/AUX inputs. Safety equipments include dual front SRS airbags, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
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