The Mitsubishi Pajero 2027 has come back and it has left one big question with Filipino SUV buyers — is the Pajero the replacement of the Montero Sport in the country? As yet, the answer is no, and it’s not because of anything that Mitsubishi has officially stated. Mitsubishi Motor Corp. has introduced the all-new Pajero as its new-generation flagship cross-country SUV on September 2, while Mitsubishi Motors Philippines is still selling and actively promoting the Montero Sport. The two have some rugged SUV DNA, but their positioning means that they do not necessarily have to compete with each other being one to take the place of the other.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero Is a New Flagship SUV
Mitsubishi says the tweaked Pajero is a “new-generation flagship model. It will be launched first in Thailand, fiscal 2026 in Japan and Australia. Mitsubishi intends to launch it in around 100 markets, including the ASEAN market, from fiscal 2027.
That means, its coming in the Philippines is a distinct possibility, but Mitsubishi never mentions the launch date for the Philippines in its announcement.
The Pajero name is also rich in history. Mitsubishi claims over 170 countries and regions have sold over 3.25 million Pajeros over its last four generations.
The positioning of the model as the flagship of the new Pajero is important for Filipino motorists who have a familiarity with the original Pajero as a high-end off-road vehicle.
Is the Pajero Replacing the Montero Sport in the Philippines?
Current Evidence Says No
There is currently no official announcement from Mitsubishi Motors Philippines saying the 2027 Pajero will replace the Montero Sport.
In fact, the official Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Montero Sport page continues to market the seven-seat SUV, with variants currently starting from ₱1.568 million.
The company’s latest test-drive setup also features the Montero Sport with more recent offerings like the Triton, Xforce and Destinator.
This is important because the resurrected Pajero seems to be better suited to be atop the conventional pickup based SUVs instead of just filling the Montero Sport’s shoes.
CarGuide.ph, the Philippine’s automotive publication, says the Pajero falls somewhere between the conventional pickup-based passenger cars and the higher-priced ladder-frame SUVs available in Australia. Before considering the Philippine taxes and market pricing, Australian prices range between AUD68,490 and AUD84,990, which is approximately PHP3 million and PHP3.8 million respectively.
That is substantially above today’s Philippine Montero Sport pricing.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero vs Montero Sport: What’s Different?
The 2027 Pajero is not simply a Montero Sport wearing a different badge.
The new flagship is 4,920mm long, 1,925mm wide and 1,910mm tall, whilst having a wheelbase of 2,870mm and a ground clearance of 230mm. This features a very stiff ladder frame, and is fitted with both Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II and Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC).
The power is provided by a specially designed 2.4-liter clean diesel engine that generates up to 480Nm of torque and a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Philippine Montero Sport, on the other hand, is currently powered by a 2.4-litre MIVEC turbo-diesel engine that delivers 181PS and 430Nm and higher models also feature Super Select 4WD-II and an eight-speed automatic.
The Pajero therefore moves a step further towards high-end cross-country performance and still offers seven seats for practicality.
When Could the New Pajero Reach the Philippines?
Mitsubishi has not announced an exact 2027 Pajero Philippines release date.
In its official roadmap, the beginning of the expansion of ASEAN is fiscal 2027 and onwards. The Philippines may be in the larger rollout of the SUV, according to The Philippine Star.
Specifications and price for the local version, as well as the exact date of its arrival, will be subject to speculation until such details are released by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines.
The safest bet is that the Pajero will be positioned above the Montero Sport, providing Mitsubishi with a more upscale competitor against a wide variety of the 7-seaters that are diesel-powered SUVs in its core market.
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What Does This Mean for Montero Sport Buyers?
Don’t put a purchase of the Montero Sport on hold due to the Pajero reveal.
There is no official announcement that the Montero Sport Philippines is discontinued, and it’s still available. It’s also a lot cheaper than the overseas Pajero pricing indicates that the new flagship will be placed.
However, the new model may be worth waiting for to those seeking the maximum off-road technology, flagship positioning and the historic Pajero badge.
FAQs
Is the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero coming to the Philippines?
A Philippine launch has not yet received a specific official date, but Mitsubishi says the Pajero will expand to around 100 countries from fiscal 2027, including ASEAN markets.
Will the Pajero replace the Montero Sport?
There is currently no official confirmation that it will. Mitsubishi Philippines continues to sell the Montero Sport.
What engine does the 2027 Pajero use?
The new Pajero uses a 2.4-liter clean diesel engine producing 480Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
How much could the 2027 Pajero cost in the Philippines?
Philippine pricing is not announced. Australian pricing converts roughly to ₱3 million–₱3.8 million, but direct currency conversion is not a reliable prediction of the eventual Philippine SRP.
