- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
3.2DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
121kW, 373Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 10.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4X4
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2004 Mitsubishi Pajero GLS 21st Anniversary Edition review
Mitsubishi's 21st Anniversary edition GLS Pajero augments what's already an impressive package. But, as Bob Jennings says, it's still a vehicle better suited to the great outdoors than traffic jams.
Pigeonhole: The most urban friendly of the big four-wheel-drives.
Philosophy: All things to all people, especially those who need seven seats and have outback aspirations.
Trivia: Pajero is the name of the wild cat that inhabits the Patagonia area of the South American highlands, although it's also a slang insult.
What the brochure says: "[The Pajero] is largely credited with opening up the vast Australian outback by popularising four-wheel-driving to the average Australian."
Who's buying it: Suburbanites who want lots of room and an intimidating presence on the road.
Why you'd buy it: It's very competent off-road, and the 4WD system can be engaged or disengaged at up to 100kmh.
Why you wouldn't: If your needs are moving a large number of people around town, why wouldn't you buy the funky new Mitsubishi Grandis? It's cheaper and nicer to drive.
Standard equipment: Central locking, cruise control, electric windows. An all-terrain system that includes 4WD on the move, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control. The 21st Anniversary model also includes side steps with illumination, colour-keyed grille and roof rack, fog lights and alloy wheels.
Safety: Driver and passenger air bags. It's bigger and heavier than most other vehicles you might hit.
Cabin: Spacious and comfortable, with good storage space and plentiful power sockets. Like all big four-wheel-drives, it's a bit of a climb up into the vehicle.
Seating: You can fit in seven people, or fold away the back row of seats.
Engine: Smooth-revving 3.8-litre V6 with 150 kilowatts. It lacks the torque of the Toyota LandCruiser V8 or the Prado V6, but works pretty well.
Transmission: One of the best; five-speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic-style manual gear changing. It offers both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. The 2WD mode is quieter and more economical on sealed roads. It's possible to shift from 2WD to 4WD at up to 100kmh, and there's a low-range ratio for serious off-roading.
Steering: Power-assisted rack and pinion makes light work of this part of the business, but its 11.4-metre turning circle makes manoeuvring in tight places something of a chore.
Ride: Pretty good with its all-independent system and front and rear coil springs.
Handling: Compared to other big, clumsy four-wheel-drives, it's not so bad. Compared with normal passenger vehicles, not so good.
Fuel: Dig deep. On Drive's extended outback test it sucked fuel away at the rate of 17.5 litres/100 kilometres, although under ideal conditions it improved to 12.9. The tank holds 90 litres.
Brakes: Discs all round and they have electronic anti-lock and brake assistance enhancement. They're pretty good.
Build: Japanese quality but on separate rough road tests in two different vehicles one tail light failed.
Warranty: Three years, 100,000 kilometres, which is average.
Security: Remote central locking, lockable glove box, interior release for fuel cap and engine immobiliser.
Audio: Radio with CD player and four speakers. Doesn't sound great.
Price: $57,990 for the 21st Anniversary model, which is pretty competitive in a very crowded market. Prices start at $46,390 for the cheapest petrol version, while the cheapest diesel is $48,950.
Verdict: This is a vehicle best suited to the wide open spaces. Although it's one of the better heavyweight 4WDs in terms of manoeuvrability and comfort, it's still big, awkward and thirsty in urban areas.
Prices and details correct at publication date.