Mitsubishi Pajero

Under yoke year after year, this is one trusty workhorse

THE PAJERO IS THE workhorse of our fleet. With a daily commute of close to 100 kilometres, it has been on the run almost non-stop since we got it seven years ago. Built to last, the car still runs its original clutch, while the shocks were changed at the two lakh km mark.

The engine has only recently been throwing out some smoke past 2,500rpm and on cold starts. But it seemed sorted when I tanked it up with biodiesel called Indizel. The new fuel definitely makes the engine run smoother, and throttle response has improved as well. I’m yet to finish the tankful, but early indications are that the economy too may improve, though not by a huge margin.

Driving modern SUVs does make the Pajero feel dated, what with the bare bones interiors, the less than supple ride quality, the non-existent handling and middling performance. It feels like something from a bygone era. But the sheer simplicity also makes it fun to drive, in its own way. What the Pajero does very well is cruise for long distances on smooth highways. By SUV standards, the cockpit is quiet, the ride is acceptable and spending eight or nine hours behind the wheel is no big deal. The front seats are plush and the second row offers good room, though the low cushion is low on underthigh support for adults. Rear seat passengers get good forward visibility and lots of light from the expanse of glass. Used extensively on bad roads, nothing has come loose and the cabin is still a pleasant place to be in. The electronics and hardware work flawlessly, underlining why this car was so successful at the Dakar.