GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

> car reviews > mitsubishi > pajero > exe lwb 5-dr wagon > Our Opinion

Make / Model Search

Super Test

Car reviews - Mitsubishi - Pajero - EXE LWB 5-dr wagon

Mitsubishi models

Our Opinion

We like
Chunky styling, true off-road ability, strong and durable
Room for improvement
2.6 engine struggles to haul all the weight around, relatively cumbersome around town

25 Jul 2003

THE Mitsubishi Pajero is named after the Patagonian Pampas Cat. It is also known in other parts of the world as the Montero or the Shogun. Whatever name it goes under, the Pajero is a well respected, seven-seater, family four-wheel drive with a good deal of refinement.

Originally fitted with a 2.6-litre, four-cylinder engine, the Pajero was the first four-wheel drive to move to the now popular V6 engine configuration. The EXE long wheelbase 4WD Pajero wagon version is available in 2.6 petrol or 2.5 turbo-diesel versions.

The 2.6-litre "Astron" four-cylinder, with its twin balance shafts for smoothness, is familiar to Australians it is a carburetted version of the engine used in the Magna sedan except that in this case it is installed longitudinally in the engine bay with a rear-mounted gearbox and transfer case.

Producing 79kW of power and 192Nm of torque, it does a manful job of motivating the Pajero, partly helped by the fact the vehicle is not as heavy, at 1645kg, as bigger four-wheel drives such as the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser.

In that company, it manages reasonably well on fuel consumption.

The engine is coupled to a five-speed manual transmission. Automatic was only available in the V6 Superwagon. A limited-slip rear differential is standard to give extra grip when needed.

The suspension tends to make the Pajero a more comfortable vehicle on the open road than the full-size four-wheel drives.

The front is independent, with wishbones and torsion bars, while the rear has leaf springs with a live axle (unlike the turbo-diesel EXE and the V6 Superwagon, which use coil springs located by a unique three-link arrangement).

When pushed into corners, the Pajero shows some body roll but handles well on all surfaces. The Pajero seats up to seven people, thanks to two small transverse fold down seats in the rear. These are suitable for children only.

The strap retainers on these rear seats can develop an annoying rattle when the seats are not occupied.

The Pajero has a high standard of fit and finish with tweed trim providing a touch of luxury. Power steering, radio/cassette, white "styled" wheels and a side-support adjuster for the front seats are standard.

With a body design dating back to 1984, the 1989 Pajero looks boxy, in contrast to its stylish 1991 successor. But with good appointments and overall comfort, the Pajero EXE is an excellent choice for buyers in the 4WD family wagon market.

All car reviews

Super Test

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

GoAuto can help you buy a new Pajero

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Pajero pricing

Mitsubishi models

All car reviews

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.
Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here