Modern and far removed from appearing utilitarian, the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a good-looking SUV, with more than a hint of the Mitsubishi Outlander. That said, key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest both look good, too. Moreover, with the Mitsubishi Triton, which shares a common platform with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, having undergone a facelift, the association between the two models is diminished—hence reducing the idea, in the minds of prospective customers, that the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is very much a truck underneath.
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| Mitsubishi Pajero Sport |
The 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is a true off-roader, sharing a ladder frame chassis with the Mitsubishi Triton. But the front gets a double-wishbone setup instead, while the rear gets a three-link setup with coil springs. Stabiliser bar is standard front and rear, too. Even so, ride comfort improves but handling is still less than confidence-inspiring. The high centre of gravity, low level of mechanical grip and considerable body roll mean that the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport should be driven with care, especially in the wet. With the canopy in place over the rear, the front/rear weight distribution is better than the Triton's, and so feels more balanced.
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| Enough rear storage space |
Thanks to the various suspension setup changes, the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport rides in a more comfortable, more settled manner compared to its truck sibling, the Mitsubishi Triton. Road imperfections are overcome without drama, and highway cruising does not feel floaty—a quality not always found in truck-based SUVs. The driving position comes with seat-height adjustments and tilt-adjustable steering column. The dash architecture is imported from the Triton, which means everything is optimally positioned. Seats are more supportive than the Triton's, but the touch-screen entertainment system could be more intuitive to use.
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| Rear profile |
Equipped with the 134 bhp, 314 Nm 2.5-litre 16-valve inline-four turbodiesel that also powers the Mitsubishi Triton, the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport uses a new four-speed automatic gearbox and delivers power through the new Super Select 4WD system, which shifts between 2WD and 4WD on the move at up to 100 km/h. Low-range gearing and a lockable centre differential are standard, too. The engine performance feels sluggish, however, due to the Pajero Sport's substantial weight increase over the Triton. Take-off requires time, although picking up speed becomes easier as you go faster. The gearbox works faultlessly, though.
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| Cockpit |
Like key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes a genuine seven-seater. Climbing into and out of the cabin could be a problem for senior family members and young children. But once settled, seven can be seated in good comfort. The front and middle rows are roomy; the last row offers no lack of head- or leg-room, though the relatively low seats mean a less comfortable seating position. As expected, the rear two rows of seats can be folded to free up loading space.
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| Works both on and off the road |
Truck-based SUVs like the 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, as well as key rivals Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest, have a relatively limited demand for an obvious reason: the truck platform can only be comfortable up to a point, and unless you regularly go off-road, there is no reason to compromise. Yes, the Fortuner sells very well, but that is most likely due to the Toyota badge than anything else. If you are an urban folk and want the diesel economy and seven seats, car-based SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Chevrolet Captiva will be more suited for your needs.
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| Comfortable seats |
Standard equipments include 17" alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel/gearshift knob/transfer knob, leather seats, manual air-conditioning with rear cooler, keyless entry, front/rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable and foldable door mirrors, and 2-Din touch-screen AM/FM/DVD/CD/MP3/AAC audio system with USB/AUX inputs. Safety equipments include dual front SRS airbags, and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD).
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