Smaller Mitsubishi Pajero Arriving Soon to Take on the Toyota RAV4

Mitsubishi Is Planning More Than Just One Pajero

Right now, we all know that Mitsubishi’s Pajero revival is more than just a nostalgia trip for its flagship SUV. The brand is plotting a whole lineup under the Pajero name, possibly including smaller models that once made Mitsubishi a force to be reckoned with off-road.

Fresh reports from Japan suggest a new compact SUV could arrive in 2028 or 2029, with its sights set squarely on one of the world’s most popular nameplates: the Toyota RAV4. This newcomer would channel the old Pajero iO – a quirky compact that once slotted between the big Pajero and the pint-sized Pajero Mini.

Pajero iO Could Get Hybrid Power and Electric 4WD

Motor Fan says Mitsubishi is eyeing a smaller sibling for the new Pajero as part of its big product push. The brand has already teased plans for 13 new models between 2026 and 2031, with off-roaders and ASEAN-focused vehicles high on the wish list.

The first Pajero iO arrived in 1998, with a smaller footprint than the full-size Pajero but still ready to get its tires dirty. Its modern-day successor could stick to that formula, though what’s underneath might be a whole new story.

Instead of the old-school ladder frame rumored for the big Pajero, the smaller SUV could ride on a monocoque platform. That should make it easier to live with day to day, but Mitsubishi still wants it to look and feel like a proper Pajero.

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are reportedly on the table. Electric four-wheel drive could also make the cut, possibly borrowing tech from the Outlander PHEV, which already uses electric motors to spin all four wheels.

As for the design, we’re betting the new Pajero iO will rock the same boxy look as its bigger sibling. The renderings here show what that could look like, but don’t get too excited – these aren’t official images from Mitsubishi.

Of note, Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed the Pajero iO name, what’ll power it, or what it’ll look like. So, as always, take these reports with a healthy pinch of salt.

Pajero Mini Could Take on the Suzuki Jimny

But wait, there’s more. The Pajero iO revival might not be the only baby SUV in the works. Motor Fan says a new Pajero Mini could show up around 2030, giving Mitsubishi another shot at the compact off-road crowd.

The first Pajero Mini ran from 1994 to 2012. Its rumored replacement could ride on a kei-car platform, pack a 660cc turbo engine, and get four-wheel drive, with more ground clearance and classic SUV looks than the current Delica Mini.

If Mitsubishi greenlights the project, it could go head-to-head with the Suzuki Jimny, slotting in as the brand’s smallest off-roader under the rumored Pajero iO.

So, what’s the game plan? Right now, it looks like Mitsubishi is eyeing a three-tier lineup: the big Pajero up top, a compact electrified SUV to take on the RAV4, and a pint-sized off-roader gunning for the Jimny. None of this is official yet, but if it all pans out, the Pajero badge could be everywhere in Mitsubishi’s future.