GAMES AND HARD GRAFT

The Pajero Sport dresses ute capability with family friendly trimmings

Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport tops the one-tonner Triton ute chassis with a bespoke body to create a family wagon that, unlike the SUVs that now dominate the market, also has serious off-road and towing capabilities.

At launch in 2015, the Pajero claimed family friendly credentials. The 2020 update strengthens these, with improvements to safety, infotainment, comfort and practicality.

The front end has also been restyled — with a trowel and way too much fake chrome — to look even more grotesque than it did before. And that’s some feat.

VALUE

The breadth of the Pajero’s capability, plus high specification and equipment levels in GLS and Exceed, make it an attractive deal at Mitsubishi’s current advertised drive-away prices.

For five-seaters, the GLX opens the range at $45,990 and the GLS is $52,490.

The GLS seven-seater is $53,990 and the Exceed version, tested here, is $59,990.

This includes seven years’ warranty — two years longer than rivals — plus two years’ scheduled servicing. An added attraction is the brand’s rock solid reputation for quality, reliability and durability.

All grades run the Triton’s 2.4-litre fourcylinder turbo diesel and eight-speed automatic.

Mitsubishi’s Super Select II set-up can operate in rear or all-wheel drive in high-range on the bitumen, the latter useful when towing and in wet conditions. The Pajero Sport has a locking centre differential for loose or slippery surfaces such as sand and snow, and a lowrange transfer case as well.

To adjust the transmission and traction control to suit the terrain, there are driving modes for gravel, mud/snow, sand and rock. These are abetted by hill descent control and hill start assist.

All grades get a full-size spare and the GLS and Exceed get a locking rear differential as standard.

Towing capacity is 3100kg, though that’s asking a lot — arguably too much — from the 2.4-litre. At the maximum 665kg payload, including up to 310kg on the towball, the legal maximum trailer weight is 2790kg.

COMFORT

The Pajero Sport’s softer suspension tune, plus coils rather than leaf springs at the rear, give it a much smoother ride than the trucklike Triton.

It’s typical of a 4WD wagon — lumpy on a rough road but also absorbent and reasonably comfortable at speed thanks to big, baggy 265/60 tyres and lots of suspension travel.

The supportive driver’s seat (heated and leather-faced in the Exceed) is well bolstered and the wheel adjusts for rake and reach.

Row two, a generously padded, elevated bench with plenty of legroom, is split 60-40 with an adjustable backrest on each side. Two USBs, an AC power outlet and vents in the roof make it a happy place for passengers but the body is narrow, so three adults are a tight squeeze.

The back stalls, raised from the floor and with air vents and 12V outlet, are fine as shorthaul seats for up to teens. Kerbside access is easy and effortless via the one-touch tumble fold middle row.

The 2020 update includes a hands-free power tailgate on Exceed, plus an automatic parking brake, eight-inch touchscreen, navigation, digital radio, vehicle monitoring via a smartphone app, additional oddment storage and a more comprehensive vehicle info display between the instruments.

SAFETY

Essential driver assist tech is standard on Exceed, plus adaptive cruise and 360 degree camera coverage.

DRIVING

The 2.4, assisted by the refined, responsive eight-speed automatic, delivers respectable grunt in a leisurely, unstressed manner.

The transmission heads immediately for the high gears and slots into eighth at 70km/h, where the turbo diesel chugs along at a mere 1200rpm.

This accounts for Pajero’s frugal highway thirst of 6-7L/100km, which is some compensation for its small (68L) fuel tank. Expect 10-12L/100km in town.

Handling is also superior to the Triton, though relatively ponderous compared with bitumen-biased seven-seater SUVs such as Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Mazda’s CX9.

The softer, coil sprung back end provides much more secure roadholding than the leafsprung ute, body roll is reasonably well controlled and it doesn’t feel too precarious in corners. Rear discs replace the Triton’s drums.

Its hydraulic power steering is light and direct, with a tight turning circle. This also an asset on gnarly, winding bush tracks, along with the vehicle’s narrow body, compliant suspension, decent clearance, all-terrain tyres and, in low-range, progressive accelerator modulation and the ability to select ratios via the paddle-shifters.

The Pajero is an easy-to-drive, comfortable and very capable off-roader.

HEART SAYS

I hear the call of the wild. I need to take my kids somewhere out of phone range so we can talk.

HEAD SAYS

I have no need for a ute and most 4WD wagons are too expensive and/or too big. This is great value for money and can do it all.

ALTERNATIVES ISUZU MU-X, FROM $43,900

Based on D-Max ute, with ageing but thrifty 130kW/430Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel/six-speed auto. Tows 3000kg. Safety and dynamics lag.

TOYOTA FORTUNER, FROM $45,695

Based on the HiLux, with a 130kW/450Nm 2.8-litre turbo diesel/six-speed auto and parttime 4WD. Towing up to 2800kg. Side-mount third-row seats compromise cargo space.