For the first time in years, South Africa’s ladder-frame SUV showdown has a genuine new contender. Mitsubishi has officially confirmed the all-new Pajero for a global debut in autumn 2026, and it’s coming back to South Africa to take on the two vehicles that have owned this segment in its absence: the ever-dominant Toyota Fortuner and the flagship Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.
If you’re in the market for a serious, seven-seat, go-anywhere 4×4, the obvious question is whether to buy now — or wait for the returning legend. Here’s how the three stack up, and who each one is really for.
Meet the contenders
The 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero (the comeback kid). The new Pajero is built on the Triton (L200) ladder-frame platform, confirming proper body-on-frame construction with model-specific suspension tuning and a unique cabin. Mitsubishi has confirmed a diesel powertrain at launch with future hybrid and PHEV plans, and the return of the iconic Multi Meter off-road display — the altitude, pitch, roll and torque-distribution gauge cluster that defined classic Pajeros. It’s positioned as Mitsubishi’s flagship SUV, drawing on four generations and 3.25 million sales since 1982.
The Toyota Fortuner (the default choice). South Africa’s best-selling ladder-frame SUV, built on the Hilux platform. The hero 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel produces 150kW and 500Nm through a six-speed automatic, with the 2.4 GD-6 (110kW/400Nm) and petrol options below it, up to the range-topping GR-S. Pricing broadly runs from around R680,000 into the R900,000s, with the GR-S beyond that.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (the premium benchmark). A step up in size, luxury and price. The current Prado uses the 2.8 GD-6 turbodiesel making 150kW and 500Nm through an eight-speed automatic, with serious off-road hardware and a cabin to match. In VX-R and VX-L trim it sits around R1.5 million — a different league on budget.
Price: where each one sits
Budget is the fastest way to narrow this decision.
The Fortuner is the value play, comfortably the most affordable of the three and backed by unmatched dealer coverage and resale strength. The Prado sits at roughly double the Fortuner’s entry point — you’re paying for size, prestige and Land Cruiser durability. The new Pajero’s local pricing isn’t confirmed yet, but given its Triton underpinnings and flagship positioning, expect it to slot as a Fortuner rival that undercuts the Prado — the value-flagship middle ground it has always occupied.
If price is your deciding factor and you need the car now, the Fortuner wins by default. If you can wait, the Pajero is the one most likely to shake up that value equation.
Platform, power and off-road ability
All three are true body-on-frame 4x4s with low range — this is not a soft-roader comparison, and that’s the point.
The Fortuner is the proven all-rounder: tough, simple, hugely supported, and more than capable on gravel, sand and moderate trails. The Prado adds a more sophisticated chassis, superior long-distance comfort and the deepest off-road toolkit of the three, which is why it’s the overlander’s benchmark. The new Pajero is the wildcard with the most to prove — but its heritage is arguably the strongest of the lot. Super Select 4WD, Dakar dominance and that Multi Meter give it real off-road credibility, and the Triton platform is a genuinely capable base. Future electrified powertrains could also make it the most modern-feeling of the three.
Seven seats and everyday practicality
All three offer seven seats, but the experience differs. The Fortuner is the easiest to live with day-to-day and park in town. The Prado is the roomiest and most refined, better suited to big families and long touring. The new Pajero traditionally struck a clever balance — a comfortable, spacious wagon that never felt like a truck — and Mitsubishi’s promise of a bespoke cabin and dedicated suspension tuning suggests it’s chasing exactly that blend again.
So which should you wait for?
Buy the Fortuner now if you need a dependable seven-seat 4×4 today, want the strongest resale and dealer network in the country, and value proven simplicity over the newest tech. It’s the safe, sensible choice for good reason.
Buy the Prado if budget allows and you want the premium long-distance overlander with the deepest capability and comfort — and you don’t want to wait.
Wait for the new Pajero if you’re not in a hurry, you want something that stands apart from the Toyota crowd, and you’re drawn to the heritage, the Multi Meter and the prospect of a modern diesel-and-hybrid flagship that’s likely to undercut the Prado. For anyone who’s ever loved a Pajero, this is the one worth holding out for.
The verdict
The Fortuner remains the head choice, the Prado the premium choice — but the 2026 Pajero is shaping up to be the heart choice with the numbers to back it. With a global reveal due in autumn 2026 and local pricing still to come, the smart move for patient buyers is simple: shortlist the Fortuner and Prado now, but don’t sign anything until you’ve seen what the returning legend brings to the fight.
Want us to pit the new Pajero against the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X too? Let us know — and follow along for the full 2026 Pajero launch coverage, specs and SA pricing as it drops. Already own one? Here’s what the comeback means for Gen 4 owners and values. Follow Pajero 4×4 Life on Facebook for launch news as it breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Is the new Mitsubishi Pajero better than the Toyota Fortuner?
It’s too early for a final verdict, but the 2026 Pajero is built on a proven ladder-frame platform, offers a diesel powertrain with future hybrid options, and brings stronger off-road heritage. The Fortuner counters with unbeatable dealer support, resale value and a lower entry price.
How much will the new Pajero cost in South Africa?
Local pricing is not yet confirmed. Based on its Triton platform and flagship positioning, it’s expected to rival the Fortuner while undercutting the roughly R1.5-million Prado.
When does the new Pajero launch?
Mitsubishi has confirmed a global debut in autumn 2026, with a South African return also confirmed. Local timing and pricing are still to be announced.