NAMEPLATE revivals appear to be the latest trend among Japanese automakers.
Toyota recently brought back the FJ badge in the form of the more compact Land Cruiser FJ, while Honda resurrected the Prelude nameplate for its upcoming sport coupe. Nissan, meanwhile, is preparing to revive the Frontier as an electrified pickup truck.
Now, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) is joining the list by bringing back one of its most iconic vehicles.
The company has officially confirmed the return of the Pajero, ending months of speculation that began after Mitsubishi released a New Year’s Day corporate video earlier this year. The short teaser featured the silhouette of a large SUV, immediately fueling rumors that the flagship nameplate was making a comeback.
After a seven-year absence from the Japanese domestic market, the Pajero is now scheduled to make its global debut later this year.
Mitsubishi confirmed the news through a Facebook post and a dedicated teaser website. The website offers a glimpse of the upcoming SUV’s front end, which adopts the brand’s latest design language already seen on the Destinator and XForce.
Also featured on the site is a statement from Mitsubishi works driver and two-time Dakar Rally champion Hiroshi Masuoka.
“If there were a race around the world, who would be the fastest? It might be a Pajero. It means not choosing a path. Whether in the desert, on the highway, in the snow, or in the rain, everyone can reliably reach their destination, and in the end, everyone who rides can return home safely. Without that philosophy, it wouldn’t be a Pajero,” he said.
Masuoka’s involvement suggests Mitsubishi intends to preserve the Pajero’s off-road and rally-bred identity, a characteristic that helped define the model for decades.
According to MMC, the next-generation Pajero will continue to use a ladder-frame platform shared with the Mitsubishi Triton. Engineers are expected to improve cabin refinement while retuning the front and rear suspension systems to strike a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.
The Pajero remains one of Mitsubishi’s most important global products. Since its introduction, the SUV has sold more than 3.25 million units across 170 countries and regions. It also helped establish Mitsubishi’s motorsports reputation alongside the Lancer Evolution, eventually spawning the rally-inspired Pajero Evolution.
Locally, the Pajero became a household name, particularly during the 1990s. Its commanding presence on Philippine roads made it one of the country’s most recognizable SUVs, even among non-enthusiasts.
The model quietly exited the Philippine market in 2021.
With its return now officially confirmed, many Filipino enthusiasts will be hoping Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) eventually brings the iconic nameplate back as well.