Driving the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport seven-seat SUV – more a hard-nosed 4WD
than an SUV but able to double in both roles – with selectable rotary dialer for 2
wheel or 4 wheel high and low range, powered by a 2.4-litre turbo diesel driving
through an eight-speed automatic. First launched in 2015 and despite updates
along the way the Pajero Sport is showing its age. Its engine gutsy with 430 Nm
of torque from 2500 revs but noisy at idle and not so refined when pushed hard.
But as a workhorse it’s great, an excellent tow vehicle with a 3100Kg braked
towing capacity. Economy, 9.2L/100 with a variation of city/ country driving. I
drove the mid-spec GLS model at $55,190 and price is where it excels –
undercutting most of its competition. Not so in the ride/handling department
where it tends to wallow in the front end on rough road surfaces and feels
underdamped. Certainly, comfortable on smooth surfaces and easy to manoeuvre
around town but again the all-round package feels dated against newer
competition like the Ford Everest. And this shows in the cabin, tight in room and
certainly tight in the third row as well. Warranty, five years/100,000km or 10-
years/200,000-km if serviced throughout by a Mitsubishi Dealer.

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