Pajero sports a new look

Refined and updated, the Pajero Sport combines capability and comfort

WHEN it comes to making a competent and capable offroader with a reasonable level of comfort, Mitsubishi is often the forgotten brand, despite some versatile offerings in the past.

THE Pajero Sport replaced the Challenger as the wagon variant of the Triton ute, gaining popularity as a rugged vehicle, combining wagon versatility with off-road ability.

Mitsubishi has toned down the 'melted' tail light look in the Pajero Sport, without sacrificing space or ability

Many remember the first iteration for its 'melted' tail lights, looking as though someone had blowtorched them until they ran down either side of the tailgate, thankfully the latest version has toned this down to an elongated 'F' shape.

Despite its links to the Triton, the Pajero Sport shares the new Outlander's 'face', with high-mounted headlights above the combination fog lamp/cornering lights, and in-board chrome details flanking the blacked out 'cheesegrater' style grille.

The body sits high, offering good ground clearance, Mitsubishi claims minimum 218mm, plenty to walk over most obstacles, with approach and departure angles of 30 and 24.1 degrees, to climb in and out of gullies and creeks.

The hip line angles up at the rear, although the windows reduce in size, the interior doesn't feel restricted, with reasonable side and rear vision for the driver.

Flared guards front and rear give a 'muscular' appearance while covering the 18x7.5" rims, shod with 265/60 tyres, and best of all, it comes with a full-size alloy spare.

Although comfortable, and with good shoulder and head room, tall drivers may find themselves searching for leg room

INSIDE there's plenty of room, but not all of it usable, long-legged drivers may be cramped up by a short pedal box area, although there were no issues with head and shoulder room for my 183cm frame.

While the steering is height and reach adjustable, it felt a little short, leaving me overstretched, this was compounded by the cramped legroom.

The cabin is well equipped, our test car was the GLS 7 seater, with a six-speaker AM/FM/CarPlay/Android Auto unit, and an 8" central touchscreen display.

There is dual-zone climate control, the seats are 'premium fabric', the gear shift and steering wheel are leather wrapped, both front seats are power-operated, but without heating.

Steering wheel controls take care of the major audio, telephone and cruise functions, let the navigator handle the central display, it is easy to get distracted by the pretty colours and multiple buttons.

While seven seats up the passenger count, the trade-off is the loss of luggage space with all three rows in use, you need to get creative storing bags and boxes.

Sound proofing was good, we didn't get a lot of road noise bleeding through, and fit and finish is good, we had no complaints on that front.

Dynamically, the Pajero Sport is competent, but delivers on its promises, and is a decent off-road performer

DRIVING the Pajero Sport is pretty straightforward, the 2.4-litre turbodiesel four cylinder produces 133 kW and 450Nm, it falls short of the class leaders, but keeps things moving.

Helping things along is the 8-speed auto transmission with high/low range and locking rear differential, with Mitsubishi's Super Select II off-road system, it conquers most trails.

There are paddle shifters on the steering wheel, they are more for show, you don't punt this hard through corners, manual mode on the shifter does the same job for less complexity.

The downhill descent control is a low-speed cruise control, set the speed at the top, then steer, while the car controls engine, brakes and gears to manage the speed.

Although not a ballerina, the Paj is reasonably nimble, it doesn't feel its bulk, making it pointable and predictable, you don't feel about to tip over with changes of direction, encouraging you to go that bit further.

Remember it is ute-based, and you won't get into too much trouble, but overdrive it at your peril, despite the impressive safety systems the laws of physics still apply.

Ride is helped by the rear coil spring suspension, it does ultimately limit off-road ability, but most people won't go that far to find out.

With four-wheel vented discs there is plenty of braking, but it is not a performance car, so I don't recommend racing into corners and stomping on the brakes, it wasn't designed for that work.

Towing capacity is 3100kg, not class-leading, but enough to pull a good size boat, caravan (or race car!), it copes well with heavy loads, a little slower from a standing start, a solid, if not standout performer.

AS A lower-cost alternative to other big wagons, the Pajero Sport has a lot going for it, no, it doesn't quite measure up against the big guns, but for most people, it will go where they want, and do what they want, it is a competent all-rounder, well worth a look.