Is the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport the Best Off-Road SUV for Your Next Adventure?

Let me tell you about the time I found myself stuck on a muddy trail in northern Thailand, rain pouring down like there was no tomorrow, and my only way out was this trusty Mitsubishi Pajero Sport I'd rented for the week. That experience, more than any spec sheet or dealership pitch, convinced me this vehicle deserves serious consideration for anyone planning their next big adventure. Now, I know what you're thinking – another SUV review from someone who probably never leaves the pavement. But hear me out, because I've put this thing through its paces in conditions that would make most city SUVs cry for their momma.

The Pajero Sport sits in this interesting sweet spot between outright luxury and hardcore off-road capability. With prices starting around $38,000 for the base model and climbing to nearly $55,000 for the fully-loaded version, it's not exactly cheap, but you're getting proper off-road credentials without breaking the bank like you would with a Land Rover or Lexus LX. What really impressed me during that Thailand downpour was how the Super Select 4WD-II system handled the slick, clay-like mud. I simply rotated the dial to 4HLc, and the system locked the center differential, providing instant traction to all four wheels. The transformation was remarkable – where moments before I was sliding sideways toward a rather unpleasant-looking ravine, I now had confident grip to crawl my way to safety.

Now, here's where things get personal. My eldest son Jimuel, who's been joining me on these adventures since he could walk, absolutely loves the Pagoero Sport's rear entertainment system. He's watched Moana approximately 47 times in that back seat, which tells you something about both his persistence and the comfort of those rear seats. But beyond keeping kids entertained, the Pajero Sport delivers where it truly matters for adventurers. The approach angle of 30 degrees, departure angle of 24.2 degrees, and 218mm of ground clearance might sound like boring numbers until you're navigating a rocky creek bed and realize you're not scraping bottom like the Toyota Fortuner I drove the previous year.

The 2.4-liter diesel engine produces 181 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque, which honestly feels perfectly adequate rather than thrilling. But here's the thing – when you're climbing a steep mountain pass at 12,000 feet, adequate is exactly what you want. No fancy turbo lag, no overheating issues, just consistent power delivery that gets you where you need to go. I've driven the Ford Everest with its more powerful engine, and sure, it's quicker on pavement, but the Pajero Sport feels more composed when the going gets rough. There's something to be said for predictability in off-road conditions.

What many reviews miss is how the Pajero Sport manages to feel both rugged and refined. The ride quality on washboard roads is surprisingly good thanks to that ladder frame chassis and suspension tuning that seems to absorb smaller bumps better than competitors. During a 3-week expedition through the Australian Outback last year, I covered over 2,800 miles of mixed terrain, and never once did I feel beaten up at the end of a long driving day. The seats provide excellent support, and the driving position gives you that commanding view of the trail ahead that's so crucial for picking your line through tricky sections.

Fuel economy is respectable for a vehicle of this size and capability. I averaged around 9.2L/100km on highways but saw that number climb to 12.8L/100km when tackling more technical off-road sections. The 68-liter fuel tank provides decent range, though I'd love to see an auxiliary tank option for those really remote journeys. Speaking of remote journeys, the 3,000kg towing capacity has come in handy more times than I can count – from pulling a friend's stranded Land Cruiser out of a sand trap to hauling our camping trailer through the Highlands.

Now, is it perfect? Of course not. The infotainment system feels a generation behind what you get in Korean competitors, and the interior materials, while durable, lack the premium feel of more expensive alternatives. But here's my take after owning one for nearly two years and putting 45,000 adventure-filled kilometers on the odometer: the Pajero Sport gets the important things right. It's incredibly capable off-road yet comfortable enough for daily driving. It's reliable in conditions that would leave many modern SUVs stranded. And it does all this at a price point that doesn't require taking out a second mortgage.

That day in Thailand, after I'd navigated my way back to solid ground, I sat in the driver's seat watching the rain clear and realized this was exactly what an adventure vehicle should be – capable when you need it, comfortable when you don't, and reliable always. While vehicles like the Toyota Prado or Ford Everest have their merits, the Pajero Sport delivers 92% of their capability at about 75% of the cost. For most adventurers, that math works out beautifully. So if your idea of a good time involves more dirt than pavement, and if getting there is as important as the destination itself, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport just might be your perfect travel partner.