THE ute-based, off-road-ready SUV segment has been a merry-go-round of late, with the Nissan Pathfinder going all metrosexual, to provide a gap in the market that was eagerly filled by the butch bush-bashing Isuzu MU-X, followed by the talented Toyota Fortuner and polished Ford Everest.

It’s as though the proliferation of front-drive city-bound SUVs and crossovers – such as the latest Pathie – has unlocked a desire for real off-roaders that still provide 21st Century creature comforts, at an attainable price.

Ford went all out with some serious tech available in its permanent four-wheel-drive Everest, but Mitsubishi’s Challenger-replacing Pajero Sport surprised the world too, being the only vehicle in its class to offer an eight-speed automatic transmission, along with bang-up-to-date infotainment.

Compared with the rest, the Pajero Sport is quite a departure from the likeable Triton ute on which it’s based – in many good ways.

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