2017 – Present Pajero
Sport.
The Pajero name lives on. 133 kW / 430 Nm from the 2.4L MIVEC turbo diesel, Super Select II 4WD, 7 seats, and 700 mm wading depth. It’s not the true Pajero — but it carries the DNA, the capability, and the nameplate forward in a market that needed a modern successor.
The Pajero Name Continues
When Mitsubishi discontinued the Gen 4 Pajero in 2021, the Pajero Sport had already been running alongside it since 2017 as its spiritual successor in the South African market. Built on a ladder-frame chassis shared with the Triton bakkie, the Pajero Sport is fundamentally different in platform from the unibody Gen 3 and Gen 4 Pajeros — but it brings the one thing that matters most: Mitsubishi’s Super Select II 4WD system with all four drive modes, a serious off-road chassis, and the Pajero badge.
The question most SA buyers ask is: does it justify its price against the Toyota Fortuner? The honest answer is nuanced. The Pajero Sport wins on off-road capability (Super Select II vs the Fortuner’s part-time 4WD), engine torque, and unique positioning. The Fortuner wins on resale value, dealer network reach, and brand recognition in SA. If you care about genuine 4×4 ability — and carry the Pajero DNA — the Sport is the right choice.
For buyers coming from Gen 3 or Gen 4 Pajeros, the Super Select II system will feel instantly familiar. The 8-speed automatic is smoother than any previous Pajero gearbox. The ride is firmer than you’d expect — a consequence of the ladder-frame — but the build quality and specification level are genuinely impressive for the price point.
The 2.4L MIVEC Turbo Diesel
The 4N15 MIVEC diesel is Mitsubishi’s current-generation turbo diesel — shared with the Triton and Outlander PHEV platform. Variable valve timing (MIVEC) provides progressive torque delivery, and the 8-speed automatic calibrates intelligently for on- and off-road use. Real-world fuel consumption in SA conditions (mixed driving, occasional off-road) runs 9.5–11.5 L/100km — genuinely efficient for a 7-seat body-on-frame 4×4. The engine is significantly more refined than the 4M40 and 4M41 diesel units it ultimately replaces in the Pajero Sport context.
The Super Select II 4WD system is the Pajero Sport’s most significant differentiator versus competitors. It offers full-time 2WD (2H), full-time 4WD (4H), locked centre diff 4WD (4H-Lock), and 4L low range — all selectable on the fly at up to 100 km/h in 2H to 4H. This is a vastly more capable system than the part-time 4WD found in the Toyota Fortuner, allowing the Pajero Sport to be driven in 4H on mixed surfaces where a Fortuner would need to be in 2H.
Pajero Sport vs Fortuner vs Everest
The honest comparison SA buyers need — no brand bias, just the facts.
| Spec | Pajero Sport Exceed | Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 | Ford Everest 3.0 V6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.4L MIVEC TD | 2.8L GD-6 TD | 3.0L V6 TD |
| Power | 133 kW | 150 kW | 184 kW |
| Torque | 430 Nm | 500 Nm | 600 Nm |
| 4WD System | Super Select II (full-time capable) | Part-time 4WD (2H/4H/4L only) | Permanent AWD + low range |
| Wading depth | 700 mm | 700 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground clearance | 218 mm | 279 mm | 226 mm |
| Seating | 7 seats | 7 seats | 7 seats |
| Fuel consumption | 8.1 L/100km | 8.5 L/100km | 8.9 L/100km |
| SA entry price (2026) | R749,900 | R850,900+ | R889,900+ |
| Resale value (SA) | Moderate | Excellent | Good |
| Dealer network (SA) | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Off-road ability | High — SS4-II best in class | Good — part-time limits flexibility | High — permanent AWD + modes |
If off-road capability is your priority, the Pajero Sport wins — Super Select II is a genuinely superior 4WD system to the Fortuner’s part-time setup. If resale value and dealer footprint are priorities, the Fortuner wins in SA. If outright performance and technology are what you want, the Everest 3.0 V6 is compelling. The Pajero Sport occupies the unique position of being the most capable 4×4 of the three at the most accessible price point — which is a strong argument.
SA Trim Levels & Pricing (2026)
- 2.4L MIVEC Turbo Diesel 133 kW
- 8-speed automatic gearbox
- Super Select II 4WD (SS4-II)
- 7-inch touchscreen display
- 6 airbags standard
- Multi-terrain select (5 modes)
- Hill descent control
- All GLX equipment plus:
- Leather seat trim
- Heated front seats
- 9-inch Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- Blind-spot warning (BSW)
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- All GLS equipment plus:
- Power panoramic sunroof
- 360° camera system
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- 19-inch alloy wheels
Complete Pajero Sport Specs
| Engine | 2.4L MIVEC DOHC Intercooled Turbo Diesel |
| Engine code | 4N15 |
| Power | 133 kW @ 3,500 rpm |
| Torque | 430 Nm @ 2,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| 4WD System | Super Select II — 2H/4H/4H-Lock/4L |
| Terrain modes | Gravel · Mud/Snow · Sand · Rock |
| Platform | Ladder-frame (shared with Triton) |
| Ground clearance | 218 mm |
| Wading depth | 700 mm |
| Approach angle | 30° |
| Departure angle | 24° |
| Seating | 7 standard |
| Fuel tank | 68 L |
| Fuel consumption | 8.1 L/100km (combined) |
| Towing capacity | 3,100 kg (braked) |
SA Owner Ratings
New & Used Pajero Sport Pricing (2026)
The Pajero Sport is not the Gen 4 Pajero. It’s a different vehicle on a different platform — and buyers from the classic Pajero world should understand this upfront. But it delivers on the things that matter: Super Select II 4WD, genuine off-road credentials, 430 Nm of diesel torque, and 7-seat practicality — at a price R100,000+ below the Fortuner 2.8 GD-6. For families who need a 7-seat vehicle that can genuinely tackle the Kgalagadi or Namib, the Pajero Sport is a compelling, underrated choice. The resale value gap versus Toyota is real — but at R100,000 less new, you’ve already closed that gap before the first service.