2022 Mitsubishi Pajero three-door

The new generation of Mitsubishi’s legendary SUV was supposed to debut in 2022. However, the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down everything, especially the development of new vehicles. Still, the Japanese company will continue to work on this project and hope the market will recover by the time the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero shows up.

The carmaker also considers the comeback to the US market. Well, the full-size market is not too tough, with only five non-luxury big rigs available at dealerships (read more about these vehicles in our post: Future Full-Size SUV for 2022 and 2023). Still, the decision is not final yet, since the investment is huge. On the other hand, the benefits of the presence in the major stage are numerous.

In some markets, the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero will appear as Montero, while the UK fans know it as Shogun. Anyway, the new, fifth generation is about to arrive. We can say the current vehicle is old. Mitsubishi updated Pajero a few times, but the fourth generation debuted way back in 2006. Some cars don’t exist for so long, and this SUV keeps the same version for 15 years.

2022 Mitsubishi Pajero redesign

2022 Mitsubishi Pajero Changes

The new generation comes with plenty of updates. We were tracking the rumors, but now, everything is calmed down. Mitsubishi put the process at idle until the situation with the coronavirus is alarming. Nevertheless, the idea is here and there is plenty of time for designers and engineers to deliver the upgrades for the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero. The SUV might grow a bit. The current model is 193 inches long, which is enough for three rows of seats and plenty of space for cargo.

Still, if the carmaker wants to succeed in the US market, they will need to deliver huge updates inside the cabin. Mitsubishi is a member of the big alliance, where the biggest name is Nissan. The Japanese giant is developing new versions of its Armada, as well as the premium Infiniti QX80. Even if 2022 Mitsubishi Montero doesn’t come back to the US, Nissan will help out its partner with the vehicle that will be one of the stars in Australia.

The biggest part of changes will happen outside the vehicle. Mitsubishi has to make the SUV more aggressive. Since Pajero has been the same for so long, the total redesign is possible. Still, the SUV will remain bold and big, with great off-road capabilities. The same we expect from the three-door version, which is more agile thanks to the shorter wheelbase.

2022 Mitsubishi Pajero changes

Engine Upgrades

If Mitsubishi plans to bring Montero back to the US, engineers will have to increase the power. Currently, the biggest unit in the lineup is a 3.8-liter V6, but it won’t satisfy need of buyers looking for the huge outputs from a full-size SUV. Well, Ford Expedition manages to find the way to the hearts of the buyers. Still, the SUV is offering 450 hp thanks to the turbocharged system. The 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero can be competitive with 350 ponies. Its partner, Nissan, tuned Armada to 400 hp, while Chevy Tahoe entry-level version will burst 355 horsepower.

So, the question is – what will Mitsubishi do? A V8 is not showing up in any of its vehicles, not even an L200 truck. Outside the US, Pajero will still rely on 3.8 and 3.5 V6 petrol units. Of course, there are also diesel powerplants, which are more popular in markets where Montero and Pajero are still available. A 3.2 version is ready to deliver 160 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. In the US, we find more powerful compact units. Although turbocharged, a 2.8 displacement can’t beat this. In this case, drivers will get 130 hp and 215 lb-ft of twist.

2022 Mitsubishi Pajero concept

Can We Expect the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero in the US?

This is probably the biggest question about the 2022 Mitsubishi Pajero. Well, there is a long way to go for the new model and everything is possible. First of all, we will have to wait to see what will happen with the global pandemic of COVID-19 virus. After that, fans can speak about the new vehicle and its production. Still, it would be nice to see Montero back in the US dealerships. The vehicle was discontinued in 1999 and since then two generations of the SUV were not available in this part of the world. The Japanese company came back to the map of the popular brands again, mostly thanks to its Outlander PHEV crossover. In the cooperation with Nissan, Mitsubishi can do a lot of bigger things, including the debut in the truck class, as well as the Pajero/Montero premiere.

The competition is not too tough in the US market. The US full-size SUVs are the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe/Suburban. Jeep is about to launch Grand Wagoneer. Other Japanese carmakers in this segment are Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada.  

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