You might not see too many Mitsubishi
Pajero SUVs driving around in North America. Available under the Montero
model name in North America, the Pajero name is specific to the Asian auto market. Whether you’re driving internationally or have one imported, the Pajero is ready to go off the trail. It’s not the most extreme off-roading vehicle we’ve seen, but it’s a good buy for weekend warriors and easy off-roaders who don’t want to break the bank on recreational motorsports.
Here to help you decide if the Pajero is right for your off-road ambitions is Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison shopping super app
. This guide has all the off-road specs you’ll need to know about the Mitsubishi Pajero before you set out for the wilderness. Can the Mitsubishi Pajero go off-road?
It definitely can — in the right circumstances. The Pajero has a nearly-ideal ground clearance for off-roading, and it has a strong rear axle to take the dips and bumps you’ll run into. Depending on the model year, your Pajero might have the more formidable body-on-frame construction used by true SUVs and pickup trucks, rather than the unibody construction of cars and crossovers.
The Pajero first employed the unibody style in 2000, so model years prior to that will ride a lot rougher but can handle more duress when off-roading. Models after the changeover will ride more smoothly but can’t go to the extremes of their predecessors.
Its starting MSRP of $47,490 is pretty steep if you’re buying new — if you are and you want an extreme off-roader, you might look elsewhere. But if you’re more interested in something like overlanding instead of off-roading, it could be a good buy for you.
Here are some specs you should know about the Pajero before you buy.
Ground clearance
One of the first things to look for in an off-road vehicle is the ground clearance. This measures the distance from the ground level to the lowest point of your car’s chassis, and it’s a number you need to know to know what size of objects you can safely clear.
The ideal ground clearance range for off-roading is between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. The Pajero comes close with an 8.6-inch ground clearance. That means the Montero can safely drive over something under 8.6 inches without scraping the undercarriage.
To compare it to similar models, the Toyota Highlander’s
ground clearance is just 8 inches, while the Mazda CX-9
has an 8.8-inch ground clearance. Torque
Next, you’ll want to inspect the vehicle’s torque — particularly its low-end torque. Torque is the measure of rotational force that your car can generate, and low-end torque is in reference to that force generated at a lower rpm.
Being able to produce lots of low-rpm, low-gear force gives your vehicle the slow, grinding power that it takes to crawl out of steep dips and unsteady terrain.
The Pajero has a decent amount of torque — 295 ft-lb — at 2500 rpm. That’s very low on the rpm scale for torque, which is a good thing when it comes to off-roading.
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Tires
If you’re going to put new tires on the Pajero, you’ll need to consider what you’ll be using the SUV for. A set of all-weather tires is probably sufficient for overlanding and your work commute. But if you want to go off-roading on the regular, you’ll want to invest in all-terrain tires
. Unfortunately, all-terrain tires wear down faster than all-weather tires, so that’s an expense that will add up over time.
Whichever type you get, you’ll need to buy size 235/75R15 tires.
Drivetrain
Some off-road enthusiasts prefer all-wheel drive, some prefer rear-wheel drive, but the most rugged and capable drivetrain for extreme conditions is 4-wheel drive (4WD) — and that’s what the Pajero comes equipped with.
Being a true 4WD vehicle means more traction and stability in yielding surfaces like gravel, as well as deep snow and super steep grades, than an AWD system can provide.
Angles
Finally—though certainly not the least important — are your vehicle’s approach angle and departure angle. If you’re not familiar with those measurements, here’s what they mean:
Approach angle: This is the highest incline angle that your car can handle without interfering with the undercarriage.
Departure angle: This is the steepest angle of decline that your car can take down without interference.
The Pajero has an impressive 36.6-degree approach angle and a comparably modest 25-degree departure angle.
Off-road rating: Rough and Ready
Here’s the grading system that Jerry
uses to assess off-road vehicles and where the Pajero landed: | | |
|---|
| | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
| | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
| | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
| | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The Pajero gets an R rating, which means it’s definitely equipped for off-roading in many — but not all — terrains. If you want to dip a toe in extreme off-roading, you should look elsewhere. But if you’re planning for a casual off-road adventure, the Pajero has you covered.
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Start earning nowThe best off-road alternatives to the Mitsubishi Pajero
If you haven’t totally decided to get a Mitsubishi Pajero, there are some great alternatives to consider. Here are a few models we’d suggest:
| | | |
|---|
Best affordable alternative | | | The Palisade is a big crossover with third-row seating, a 291-hp V6 engine, and standard front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive. |
Most eco-friendly alternative | | | The Highlander is another three-row SUV that comes with versatile powertrain options including a 3.5-liter V6 and a gas-electric hybrid option. |
Best alternative for serious off-roading | | | The CX-9 offers great handling, a nice ground clearance level, and powerful low-end torque that makes it the most suitable for off-roading out of every model on this list. |
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Off-roading is a fun hobby, but it’s also an expensive one. You’ll go through more repairs, parts, tires, and gas than the average passenger car, and the car insurance will cost more, too.
But don’t despair — even off-roaders can save on car insurance by using the Jerry
app. It’s super fast and easy, and it’s free for you to use. Just download the Jerry app, and you’ll be started on your way to savings in about 45 seconds. After you input some basic information about yourself and your car, Jerry will curate a list of competitive car insurance quotes just for you from its network of 55+ top insurance providers. Once you find the policy that’s right for you, Jerry makes switching over easy. They’ll even help you cancel your old policy!
“When using Jerry
, I just put in a bit of information, and they found lots of different quotes for me. I was paying $305 a month for 2 brand-new cars, but now I’m paying $150 a month for both with full coverage!” —Robin U.
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