One of the Biggest Names in Off-Roading Is Returning to Put Toyota on Notice

Mitsubishi is gearing up for what is arguably its biggest reveal of the decade, the arrival of the next-gen Pajero.

The Pajero is one of the world’s most formidable four-by-fours and is known for being a core member of the Japanese off-roader trifecta. That obviously includes the leader of them all, the Toyota Land Cruiser, with the Nissan Patrol and the Mitsubishi as rivals.

With the Pajero returning, North American fans are wondering if that means a stateside comeback, too. Will it mean we’re getting a new Montero? Mitsubishi’s latest update may have just hinted at the prospect.

The Montero is making a comeback

Mitsubishi

Not too long ago, Mitsubishi confirmed that a new Pajero is on the way. Since then, the Japanese company has been slowly dropping bits of teasers and other telling details.

The latest now includes a new teaser along with confirmation of the next-gen Pajero’s arrival. More importantly, Mitsubishi also confirmed it will bring back the Montero nameplate.

The Montero badge’s revival may ultimately hint at the Pajero’s return to North American soil.

While it’s no hard confirmation, the Montero badge is bespoke to the American and Latin markets. That’s because Pajero, which is the model’s original name, has an unsavory Spanish translation.

Because of this, Mitsubishi chose to market the Pajero as the Montero. It was also rebadged as the Shogun in Europe.

The Japanese four-wheeler trifecta’s about to be whole again

Mitsubishi Motors

It’s been over two decades since Mitsubishi sold a Montero in any capacity here in North America. That includes the big, full-size model and the smaller Montero Sport.

Mitusbishi continued selling the Pajero elsewhere, including in Japan and Asia. And it also sold the Shogun in Europe alongside, which was basically the region’s version of the Pajero.

Mitsubishi Motors

But with overlanding, four-wheeling and SUVs more popular than ever, Mitsubishi now sees a new opportunity. All the more so after Toyota revamped the Land Cruiser and Nissan made moves to bring the global Patrol to the States (what we know as the Armada).

With both Toyota and Nissan upping the ante, Mitsubishi has been the only one absent. Not anymore.

Mitsubishi Motors

While the return of America’s version remains to be determined, the usage of the Montero name bodes well, and it arrives at a time when conditions would seem to favor a revival.

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