Mitsubishi's secret weapon: How new plug-in hybrid Pajero would have the upper hand against the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol in the battle of the 4WD brutes | Opinion

Mitsubishi's touted plug-in hybrid Pajero would arrive at the perfect time for the brand, capitalising on a boom in interest in plug-in powertrains, and offering a true point of difference to the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.

In the January-to-June sales results, plug-in hybrid sales across Australia climbed by 129.6 percent compared to the first six months of 2023, while sales in June alone totalled 1949 units – up a massive 149.2 percent on the same month last year. And when you break those figures down, the sales of SUVs have increased by even bigger numbers – up 131 percent and 159.1 percent respectively.

All of which would appear to put a plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi Pajero in the box seat, offering a unique solution in the full-size, off-road SUV space – and something that Toyota and Nissan can't match.

Because reports are firming that the new full-size, three-row SUV Mitsubishi is working on, and which is expected as a 2027 Model Year, will be powered not by a diesel or a twin-turbocharged V6, but a four-cylinder petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrain.

According to US outlets, the reborn icon will pump out some 285kW, enough to out-punch the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX, at least when it comes to power.

We know that the brand has globally revealed plans for a new large SUV, while Mitsubishi in the USA has just trademarked the nameplate "Montero", which is what the Pajero was called Stateside. The model is expected to borrow from the all-new Nissan Patrol in terms of platform and off-road tech, but will reportedly feature a very different powertrain.

According to US site CarScoops, the new model will use a version of the Outlander's 2.4-litre plug-in petrol powertrain, but where the smaller SUV draws 135kW and 245Nm from its engine and twin electric motors, the new Pajero will reportedly deliver a sizeable 285kW from its setup.

Worrying the LC300 and Patrol will be there inclusion of proper off-road equipment like front and rear locking e-differentials and dynamic torque vectoring, while causing the Lexus LX to look over its shoulder will be reports the model will be targeting a more premium space, with luxury cabin appointments like a leather wrapped dash, sizeable screens in front of the driver and in the centre of the cabin, and a luxurious cabin experience across all three rows.

As reported, Mitsubishi in Australia recently told CarsGuide that a large SUV is coming, though the brand globally is yet to confirm details of what to expect.

“Mitsubishi Motor Corporation announced its line up for the next couple of years… and under the shroud there’s a large SUV in there. So the reality is yes, we have publicly announced, effectively, that we are studying a vehicle in that space,” Mitsubishi Australia CEO, Shaun Westcott, has told CarsGuide.

“I cannot tell you what it is, what it looks like, what the powertrain is, whether there’s a ladder frame, whether there’s monocoque. I cannot give you any of that information other than to say that Mitsubishi has announced that we are working on a large SUV."

Asked whether the brand in Australia would retain the Pajero nameplate for a future large SUV, Mr Westcott told us he'd "love to".

"I have put up my hand and said we would love to have one because it's a very valuable nameplate, because it is a fantastic product, because it's a halo product," Mr Westcott said.

"For all of the above reasons, we would love to have one here."

And if that large SUV happens to be a powerful plug-in hybrid, then the timing will be absolutely spot on for the Pajero to make a big impact in the full-size SUV space.