Mitsubishi Pajero LWB3.2 Di-DC GLS 4×4 Exceed (A/T) Diesel
Mitsubishi have been building these Pajeros for long time now almost unchanged from the original. My brother-in-law has a 2005 model which has breezed through the Richtersveld, Kgaligadi, Kaokoveld and Delta and with which he is very happy. He drove the new model and thinks its the same as his. “Just as good!” he says. I think they have refined it a bit and made the small changes that owners asked for.
Most changes have been cosmetic, some for new safety standards. The dash is new, as is the sound/ display system to accommodate newfangled tech like USB and MP3. The rear door has changed quite a bit. Spare is now centred, the triangle etc housed behind a plastic panel and the door now has a gas strut to hold it open.
Otherwise its the original paj. The car many say Land Rover should have made the Defender station wagon. It can go anywhere, it is reliable and very comfortable.
Mitsubishi Pajero LWB in its element
Pajero is all about the ride and the journey. On highways she behaves like a big family saloon. You can cruise all day at the legal limit and never get tired. Acceleration is on tap and ready the moment you need to get a move on. The seats, steering position and finishes are all top drawer. It is in effect a luxury car which will take you to the edge of excitement.
Venture off the beaten track and she really comes into her element. The 4×4 and gear system is one of the best available. It is a tough versatile set up which allows you to adjust to your driving conditions without resorting to fancy fragile electronics. Fantastic. The automatic box coupled to this traction system is hard to beat.
The system is called Super Select 4wd and has 4 modes: 2H (2WD high range), 4H (4WD high range) like AWD, 4HLC (4WD with centre differential locked) and 4LLC (4WD LOW range with centre differential locked).
This vehicle is in a category above your normal 4×4 double cabs and derivatives like the Fortuner and Pajero Sport. Pajero matches and plays with the big boys.
You have 441Nm from 2000rpm and over a wide band, coupled with the 235mm ground clearance and good angles and very little will stop you.
Goodies to make travel more enjoyable include a Rockford Fosgate® Sound System with touch screen radio, climate control, cruise control, rear view camera, Multi-information Display (Compass, Barometer and Altimeter, Outside Temperature, Range to Empty and Average Fuel Consumption, Time and Date Display), full leather trim and so on.
It has removable 3rd row seats and heated front seats with electric control.
Outside equipment includes HID Headlamps with Automatic Levelling Function, Rear Park Distance Control, mudguards, fog lamps and more.
Safety features include ABS and EBS, Active Stability and Traction Control, six airbags and keyless entry.
She tows up to 750kg with ease.
Mitsubishi 3.2 Di-DC GLS Exceed 4X4 A/T
Summary
Seriously versatile and superbly capable, both offroad and onroad.
Best value for money in the family sized real 4×4 SUV niche.
The Pajero enjoys a deserved reputation of toughness and reliability.
We suggest you get the Exceed model.
A new Pajero is expected late in 2016.
Also look at Range Rover, MB Gelendewagen, Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, Discovery, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler.
Costs
The flagship 3.2 Di-DC GLS 4×4 Exceed (A/T) Diesel is R669 900 (as tested).
The workhorse 3.2 Di-DC GLS 4X4 A/T is R649 900
3 Year/100,000km Manufacturer’s Warranty
5 Year/100,000km Maintenance Plan
