Mitsubishi’s Taking Direct Aim at the Toyota Land Cruiser and We’re All For It

Mitsubishi is putting in some serious work to make sure its newest Pajero comes swinging out of the gate. The latest development from Japan’s BestCar magazine shows company engineers benchmarking the next-gen off-roader against the global standard: the newest Toyota Land Cruiser.

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, however, as the Pajero has historically always been Mitsubishi’s answer to the Land Cruiser. Globally, the world’s most formidable and recognized off-roaders, outside Land Rovers of course, include the Land Cruiser, the Nissan Patrol and the Mitsubishi Pajero.

So, it’s only right that Mitsubishi is bringing its A-game to the rugged, body-on-frame SUV segment.

Completing Japan’s off-road trifecta

With a new Land Cruiser and Patrol out, it makes sense for Mitsubishi to bring its best efforts to the table. And that’s because a next-gen Pajero would complete the ultimate global off-roader trifecta.

The only way automotive engineers truly know how to contest rivals is to benchmark their own vehicles against the competition. That way, they know how to directly and properly compete.

Mitsubishi

Because the Land Cruiser set the standard so high, Nissan and Mitsubishi both have each had their work cut out for them over the years. As a result, all three have put together some equally serious and dependable off-roaders.

Many often say, that while you can spot a Land Cruiser moving under its own power at the farthest corners of the planet, you’ll often find a Nissan Patrol or Mitsubishi Pajero doing the same thing alongside it.

Still no word on a Montero return

Mitsubishi

At the moment, there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the new, fifth-gen Pajero. The previous fourth-gen model endured a two-decade production run, so a replacement has been long overdue.

Mitsubishi teased a new Pajero not too long ago, while rumors and spy photos have since confirmed the next-gen model’s ongoing development. The new Pajero would also follow the launch of Mitsu’s other off-roading favorite, the Triton pickup, which entered its sixth generation a few years ago.

Mitsubishi

Originally, rumors suggested the next-gen Pajero could share its backbone with the latest Nissan Patrol, given that both Nissan and Mitsubishi are continuing their joint ventures.

However, the most recent rumors have suggested the new Pajero will hop on the Triton’s latest truck-based ladder frame.

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