Mitsubishi updates Pajero Sport SUV range

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited has announced model year updates for its Pajero Sport range, introducing a second five-seat variant, boosting specification levels across all three model grades and increasing prices on all variants.

While the current range consists of the five-seat GLX and seven-seat GLS and Exceed, a five-seat version of the mid-spec GLS will be added to the range.

When the rugged SUV range was originally launched in December 2015, all variants were five-seat only, but the GLS and Exceed later switched to a seven-seat set-up.

Asking price for the entry-level GLX has increased by $500 to $45,500 plus on-road costs, the seven-seat GLS by $1000 to $49,500 and the range-topping Exceed by $650 to $53,650. The GLS five-door is now priced the same as the outgoing seven-seat version at $48,500.

Range-wide changes for the new Pajero Sport include the addition of forward collision mitigation and adaptive cruise control, a new soft trim along the console sides, two new USB charging ports for second-row occupants, a 220V auxiliary outlet in the centre console bin and illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirrors.

GLX versions now come with 18-inch wheels as standard, while the Exceed has a sportier look with the addition of a tailgate spoiler. GLS versions are now available with the Pitch Black pearlescent exterior hue.

No changes have been made to the ubiquitous powertrain underpinning the entirety of the Pajero Sport range, a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 133kW at 3500rpm and 430Nm at 2500rpm.

The power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, with low-range gearing and differential lock for off-road use.

In 2017, Mitsubishi sold 7618 examples of the Pajero Sport, a 22 per cent increase over 2016 and enough for eighth in the large SUV segment. It was also the second-best-selling ute-based SUV behind the Isuzu MU-X with 8087.

Through the first two months of 2018, Mitsubishi has sold 1174 units of the Pajero Sport, down 0.8 per cent year-on-year but slightly ahead of the MU-X on 1143.

2018 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport pricing*

GLX (a)	$45,500
GLS 5-seat (a)	$48,500
GLS 7-seat (a)	$49,500
Exceed (a)	$53,650

*Excludes on-road costs