Here’s something you may not have realized: You can still buy a brand-new Mitsubishi Montero in many other markets across the world. It’s called the Mitsubishi Pajero in most places — but the point is that it exists, and you can get it brand new. And here’s the crazy thing: It’s just an updated version of the exact same Montero we had in the States years ago.
Before I get into this, a little Montero overview. The Montero first came to the U.S. in the mid-1980s as a 2- or 4-door model. Eventually, a 2-door version was also sold as the Dodge Raider, with a little badge on the back that said "IMPORTED FOR DODGE," so you had no doubts as to its heritage. A second-generation model debuted in 1992, and the third-generation version came out for the 2001 model year.
Unfortunately for Mitsubishi, Montero popularity waned in its later years as buyers started to focus more on crossovers than capable, truck-based SUVs like the Montero — so Mitsubishi cancelled the Montero in the U.S. market following the 2006 model year, and devoted itself instead to selling crossovers.
Elsewhere, however, Mitsubishi facelifted the Montero after 2006 (calling it a "fourth-generation" model) — and it’s still on sale a decade later. The current Montero (or, rather, the current Pajero) looks a lot like the one we got from 2001 to 2006, albeit with some freshening, and apparently it’s offered with a range of engines from a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder to a 3.8-liter V6, with a few diesels peppered in. In the markets where it’s on sale, top rivals are the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Nissan Patrol — and from my own experience last year in Dubai, I can tell you the Pajero remains highly popular, at least over there.
Indeed, if you thought the Montero was gone, it isn’t — and in some places, it’s the model Mitsubishi remains best known for. Find a Mitsubishi Montero for sale
Doug DeMuro is an automotive journalist who has written for many online and magazine publications. He once owned a Nissan Cube and a Ferrari 360 Modena. At the same time.
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Can I buy and import to the US?
Fun fact: It’s called the ‘Shogun’ in the UK.
I own both a Prado and the Pajero from 2006. Both have around 200,000km now. The Pajero is the best at light off-roading while the Prado comes to its own in the rough. I do like the Prado 4 liter a lot more then the mitsu’s 3.8. The latter has the beatbox transmission though.
last year, i had a 1992 montero with a 5 speed manual… it may have taken 14 seconds to 60, but i loved it for the 2 months i had it…
I live in New York! Would not give up My 2001 Montero Sport! She is My Baby! Fondly called Miss A. Bitchi!