After a five-year absence, the Mitsubishi Pajero is officially returning — and South African 4×4 buyers want to know three things: how much it will cost, when it lands here, and whether it’s built for African conditions. This page pulls together everything confirmed and credibly expected about the 2026 Pajero in South Africa — pricing against the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, the local launch timeline, engine specs, the Super Select II 4WD system, and its overlanding readiness for the long Southern African routes.
- Expected SA price: roughly R800,000 – R1,300,000, slotting between the Ford Everest and the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (estimate based on positioning — not yet confirmed).
- Global premiere: Q3 2026. South African launch: expected during 2027, in line with Mitsubishi SA’s usual roll-out lag behind the global reveal.
- Engine: expected 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel with Super Select II 4WD on a Triton-derived ladder frame.
Expected Price in South Africa
Mitsubishi has not announced South African pricing — the vehicle hasn’t been unveiled yet. But we can bracket it sensibly. The Gen 5 Pajero sits on the same ladder-frame architecture as the Triton, targets the body-on-frame adventure-SUV segment, and is positioned as a flagship. That places it above the Fortuner and Everest, and below the new Prado. Based on where rivals sit in the South African market today, here’s the realistic landscape the Pajero will launch into:
| Model (SA, 2026) | Approx. price range | Segment position |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Fortuner | R660,000 – R1,050,000 | Volume benchmark |
| Ford Everest | R740,000 – R1,250,000 | Premium ladder-frame |
| Mitsubishi Pajero 2026 (expected) | R800,000 – R1,300,000 | Flagship adventure SUV |
| Toyota Land Cruiser Prado | R1,300,000+ | Premium overlander |
Search demand for “pajero 2026 price south africa” is already climbing ahead of any official figure — a sign of how much pent-up interest there is for the nameplate locally. We’ll update this page the moment Mitsubishi South Africa confirms recommended retail pricing.
SA Launch & Dealer Availability Timeline
Mitsubishi confirmed the Pajero’s return on 29 May 2026, with a global premiere scheduled for the third quarter of 2026. South Africa almost always trails the global debut while right-hand-drive and homologation work is completed. Here’s the expected sequence:
| Milestone | Expected timing |
|---|---|
| Official return confirmed | 29 May 2026 ✓ |
| World premiere / full reveal | Q3 2026 |
| First international deliveries | Late 2026 / early 2027 |
| South African launch & pricing | Expected 2027 |
| Dealer demo units & test drives | Following local launch |
Mitsubishi has an established national dealer and parts network in South Africa, so once the Pajero launches locally, servicing, spares and warranty support will be available across the major centres — an important consideration the grey-import alternatives can’t match.
Engine & Specs (Expected)
The Gen 5 Pajero shares its underpinnings with the latest Triton, which gives us a strong read on the powertrain. Expect a torque-rich turbodiesel tuned for towing, sand and high-altitude Highveld driving rather than outright power figures.
| Specification | Expected |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L MIVEC bi-turbo diesel (Triton-derived) |
| Power / torque | ~150 kW / ~470 Nm (anticipated) |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Super Select II 4WD with rear diff lock |
| Platform | Body-on-frame ladder chassis |
| Towing (expected) | Up to ~3,100 kg braked |
| Electrification | Possible mild-hybrid assist |
Super Select II (SS4-II): The System That Sets It Apart
The Pajero’s signature advantage over part-time rivals is Super Select II 4WD. Unlike a basic part-time system that you can’t safely use on tarmac, SS4-II is built around a centre differential — so you can run full-time four-wheel drive on dry roads, wet tar, gravel or sand without drivetrain wind-up. Four modes (2H, 4H, 4HLc and 4LLc) cover everything from a fuel-saving highway cruise to a low-range river crossing, and you can shift between 2H and 4H on the move. For South African conditions — where a single trip can mix freeway, dirt district roads and deep Kalahari sand — that on-road/off-road versatility is exactly why the Pajero earned its reputation.
Built for Africa: Overlanding Readiness
The decision to put the Gen 5 Pajero back on a ladder frame matters most for the people who’ll actually take it off the tar. Here’s why the 2026 Pajero is shaping up as a genuine African overlander:
- Body-on-frame durability — a ladder chassis takes the repeated abuse of corrugated gravel and load-bearing long-distance trips better than a monocoque crossover.
- Full-time Super Select II 4WD with low range and a rear diff lock for sand, mud and rock.
- Diesel range — a torque-rich turbodiesel is ideal for the long fuel gaps between towns in Namibia, Botswana and the Northern Cape.
- Towing muscle — expected ~3,100 kg capacity handles a loaded off-road caravan or boat.
- Local parts & support — a national Mitsubishi dealer network means spares and service when you’re far from home.
- Proven pedigree — the nameplate’s Dakar dominance was built on exactly this formula of strength and reliability.
How the 2026 Pajero Compares
| Pajero 2026 (expected) | Toyota Fortuner | Ford Everest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chassis | Ladder frame | Ladder frame | Ladder frame |
| 4WD system | Super Select II (full-time) | Part-time 4WD | Selectable / full-time (V6) |
| Engine | 2.4L bi-turbo diesel | 2.8L turbodiesel | 2.0L bi-turbo / 3.0L V6 |
| Diff lock | Rear (expected) | Rear | Rear |
| Heritage | Dakar-winning | Strong | Strong |
For a full breakdown of where the current Pajero Sport stands against each rival, see our Pajero Sport vs Ford Everest and Pajero Sport vs Toyota Fortuner comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero cost in South Africa?
Mitsubishi has not confirmed South African pricing. Based on its flagship positioning on a Triton-derived ladder frame, we expect a bracket of roughly R800,000 to R1,300,000, placing it above the Ford Everest and below the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. This is an informed estimate and will be updated when official RRP is announced.
When does the 2026 Pajero launch in South Africa?
The global premiere is scheduled for Q3 2026. South Africa typically follows the global debut by several months for right-hand-drive and homologation, so a local launch is expected during 2027.
Is the Mitsubishi Pajero coming back?
Yes. Mitsubishi officially confirmed the Pajero’s return on 29 May 2026. An all-new, fifth-generation Pajero will carry the nameplate, built on a ladder-frame platform shared with the latest Triton.
What engine will the 2026 Pajero have?
It is expected to use a 2.4-litre MIVEC bi-turbo diesel derived from the Triton, paired with a 6-speed automatic and Super Select II 4WD. A mild-hybrid assist is possible. Figures are unconfirmed until the official reveal.
Will the 2026 Pajero have Super Select 4WD?
It is widely expected to retain Super Select II (SS4-II) — the full-time four-wheel-drive system with a centre differential that lets you use 4WD safely on tarmac, plus low range and a rear diff lock for serious off-road work.
Is the 2026 Pajero good for overlanding in Africa?
It’s shaping up to be. The return to a body-on-frame ladder chassis, full-time Super Select II 4WD, a long-range diesel and a national Mitsubishi parts network make it well suited to Southern African overlanding across Namibia, Botswana and the Northern Cape.
Stay Updated on the SA Launch
We’re tracking every confirmed detail on the Gen 5 Pajero’s South African arrival. For the full background on the global reveal, read New Pajero 2026: Everything We Know, and join the community free to get SA pricing and launch news the moment it drops.