Mitsubishi has just shared an update on its plan to save the company. The Momentum 2030 plan will see the new Eclipse Cross EV in the lineup very soon, but it won’t include the vehicle we wanted. The Pajero SUV, known as the Montero when it was sold in the US back in the day, is coming to other countries very soon. But will it ever reach the US?
For now, the US will get a new “rugged” trim of the Outlander, so there’s that, anyway.
Montero Seemed Inevitable, But It Might Not Show Up At All
Mitsubishi Montero Pajero hot weather testingCarBuzz/Valnet
Earlier this month, Mitsubishi confirmed what we had already been expecting for some time. The company was bringing back its rugged and capable Pajero SUV, a model that goes straight after Toyota’s Land Cruiser and Nissan Armada.
The Pajero is set for a debut on September 2, and by all accounts, was destined to show up in the US – eventually – as a new Montero. Likely with some modest tweaks for the US market, but still the same body-on-frame SUV underneath.
So what’s the deal? In a statement from August 25, Mitsubishi Motors North America said very clearly that nothing regarding “this vehicle” is confirmed for the US.
“While no decision has been made regarding a US introduction of this vehicle, the model’s return strengthens Mitsubishi Motors globally.”
-Mitsubishi Motors North America
Here’s the thing. Earlier this year at a dealer convention, Mitsubishi showed its North American dealers the new model. Details from the presentation hinted at a big SUV based on the Triton pickup sold in the rest of the world. Mitsubishi, it seemed at least, wasn’t going to rebadge a Nissan Armada and call it a day.
With a ladder-frame, off-road-design suspension, and Super-All Wheel Control, the Pajero should be serious business. Mitsubishi’s teaser even showed an exhaust routed through the frame for protection when things get rough.
Reports from the convention didn’t hint at when the SUV might go on sale in the US, even if they made it clear the SUV was coming. Now, Mitsubishi is making it clear it hasn’t decided yet, and that could mean the US gets nothing at all or that it could arrive later, though it wouldn’t arrive before calendar year 2028 anyway.
It could even get a different model, based on the US-built pickup Mitsubishi is planning. That truck will use Nissan Frontier underpinnings, so the SUV could be similar to the Armada or Mitsubishi’s own thing.
What Is Mitsubishi Bringing To The Party?
Mitsubishi Montero Pajero hot weather testingCarBuzz/Valnet
What, then, will Mitsubishi dealers have to offer, aside from low-rate financing and long terms?
The Nissan Leaf Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback electric vehicle will go on sale this fall. The EV will offer around 280 miles of range from a 75 kWh battery, and will probably start from around $30,000.
Starting in early 2027, Mitsubishi will have a new Outlander trim aimed at customers who want to go off-road. The Japanese automaker hasn’t announced the name or what extras it might have, but we’re expecting something like the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek or GMC Terrain AT4.
Hopefully it’s more than just the Trail Edition, which adds 18-inch wheels and some black exterior trim. In any case, Mitsubishi fans hoping for a legit off-roader will still be waiting a long time, if ever.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
2001 – 2002 Mitsubishi Montero – front 3/4 angle in redMitsubishi
Mitsubishi promised big things with Momentum 2030, and it has yet to deliver on it in any meaningful way. The automaker said that it plans to expand its focus on adventure vehicles, and it’s hard to say adventure and Mitsubishi in the same breath without thinking of the Montero — and now even that is in jeopardy.
What is Mitsubishi going to do? North American CEO Mark Chaffin said “today that vision is taking shape,” adding that “the path forward for the US market is clear.” It may be clear internally, but if it doesn’t add some external clarity (and new cars) soon, its momentum will grind to a halt.
