Mitsubishi Motors have unveiled their refreshed Pajero Sport, kicking off with the Thai-spec model seen here, though we expect it to differ little for export markets it will be hitting in short order. While the styling has been tweaked to be more uniformed with the company’s newest corporate look, the ladder-frame SUV also gains a laundry list of new equipment.
We’ll start with the visual improvements since there’s really no getting around the bold fascia that Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield design applies to any vehicle it’s treated with. A trio of horizontal slats join the slimmed down headlights while the enlarged fog lamps on either side. From what we can gather, all front illuminators have been switched to LEDs.
One might make comparison to the cheeks of a goldfish but it certainly does give the facelifted Pajero Sport a more assertive front end, aided by the fact that its bonnet has also been given a flatter angle to accentuate a stronger shoulder line.
More subtle styling revisions are to be found along the sides and rear too, though these are relegated to a new light signature within the tail lamp housing and a faux diffuser element that does its best to mask the high riding SUV’s suspension gubbins.
Mitsubishi will also now offer the Pajero Sport with a powered tailgate that can be opened and closed via the key fob or the companion Mitsubishi Remote Control app if one is within range of its Bluetooth receiver, among other functions.
Under the bonnet, the tried and true 4N15 2.4-litre MIVEC four-cylinder turbodiesel is again called for duty, delivering a respectable 133kW and 430Nm through 8-speed automatic transmission and a handsome pair of paddle shifters. Depending on the selected variant, drive will be sent exclusively rearward or to all four paws under the supervision of the company’s Super-Select 4WD-II system.
Inside, Mitsubishi has clearly made some effort to elevate the in-car experience somewhat with a better spread of cabin materials, finishes, and accents. In combination to the central touchscreen infotainment system, the Pajero Sport gains an 8-inch function display within the instrument cluster.
New active safety features such as Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert has also been added to the SUV’s equipment list, which already includes staples such as AEB, blind spot monitoring, active cruise control, and a 360-degree camera. Expect the refreshed Pajero Sport to make Australian landfall in the early stages of 2020.
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