Before you open your wallet
What does the book say?
Fuel Diesel Engine 2,442 ℓ Cylinders 4 Power 133 kW @ 3 500 rpm Torque 430 Nm @ 2 500 rpm Transmission 8-speed automatic (with tap function and high and low range). Drivetrain Rear wheel or four wheel with high and low range and rear diff lock. Tare 2 035 kg GVM 2 710 kg GCM 4 435 kg Wading depth 700 mm Towing ability for trailer with overrun brakes Up to 1 800 kg. Dimensions 4 785 mm (l); 1 815 mm (w); 1 805 mm (h) Wheelbase 2 800 mm Track width 1 520 mm (in front); 1 515 mm (rear) Ground clearance 215 mm Fuel tank 68 ℓ Price (new) From R599 995 Price (second-hand) We saw a 4x2 model (2017 with 22 500 km on the clock) on autotrader.co.za for R489 900.
Fast facts
The tow bar The hitch doesn’t come standard. The test vehicle’s one is from Bosal and is certified for a towing weight of 3 t and a nose weight of 140 kg. The hitch costs R4 241 extra and the installation takes 2 hours. Suspension Double wishbones and coil springs with roll bar in front and multi-link with roll bar at the rear. The tail dropped 44 mm under the nose weight of the Xplorer.
What does the scale say?
2 360 kg with the driver in the Pajero and a full tank of fuel. The gross combination mass of 3 680 kg on the scale is about 700 kg short of the allowed GCM. That leaves space for passengers in the car as well as 100–200 kg cargo in the caravan. Interior A hand-width space above your head as well as in front of your knees, and two fingers above the your head when seated at the back. Speed The speedometer is out by 5 km/h – the GPS speed is 95 km/h when the speedometer shows you’re driving 100 km/h. Fuel consumption According to the computer and our calculations a decent 13,8 ℓ/100 km (7,2 km/ℓ). For this size car you’d expect a slightly bigger fuel tank, especially considering you’ll be doing 4x4 driving in isolated areas or towing a caravan. With a full tank you can drive 490 km. Interior finishes Dark, solid and stylish. There
are a few matte grey panels here and there, like the centre console and the door handle. There’s shiny black plastic around the radio. Extras A roof rack R9 565, rock sliders R8 972, bash plate R3 585, nudge bar R5 130 and navigation system R14 535. Other models? Only a 4x2-model R569 995
go! Drive & Camp says
Part of the tow bar warranty conditions is obviously that you shouldn’t overload it. The same applies if you mount a bike rack onto the hitch. You’re not allowed to transport more than two bikes on a hanging bike rack (for an upright bike rack the limit is three).