MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT EXCEED

Engine 2442cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo-diesel | Power 133kw @ 3500rpm Torque 430Nm @ 2500rpm | Economy 8.0L/100km | Price $53,000

You’ll get a Pajero Sport Exceed on the road for less than the Everest Trend’s retail price, and for many people that’s enough to get them to sign on the dotted line. It’s not just an exercise in keen pricing though, for Mitsu packs in plenty like 360-degree parking cameras, active cruise, tri-zone climate control and a bevy of electronic driving aids. A power tailgate is absent, however. 18/20

Despite flagship status, the Exceed doesn’t boast integrated sat-nav – Apple Carplay or Android Auto are the only means of putting a map on its 7.0-inch screen. It’s spacious though, with room for shorter adults in the third row although the second row doesn’t slide. Its chrome and leather cabin treatment also looks fancy, while a unique centre console distances it from its ute origins. 16/20

A jittery ride exposes the Pajero Sport’s commercial origins, and is at odds with the leather-clad civility of its cabin. It feels too stiff-legged for something designed to tote a family, and while the edges might be knocked off that ride harshness when all seven seats are filled, it’s much too firm for everyday duty when just a few people are on board. 13/20

While the ride leaves you in no doubt as to the Pajero Sport’s Triton sourced undercarriage, the gravelly engine note that penetrates the firewall adds further reinforcement. It’s strong enough, but feels significantly less lively than the twin-turbo Ford. With 70Nm less torque it may not have the effortlessness of the Everest when it comes to towing or touring, and it drinks more diesel. 15/20

A five-year warranty equals Ford’s after-sales coverage, though capped price servicing only lasts for the first three years of ownership. With service intervals of 12 months or 15,000km, visits to the dealership will be no more frequent than for the Ford, though with the cost of scheduled maintenance capped at a total of $1425 for the first three years it cedes some ground to its Blue Oval rival. 15/20