MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT 2.5
The 2WD Pajero Sport is a credible alternative to a large-sized estate asking for just B950,000 in entry-level form
What is it?
This is the two-wheel drive version of Mitsubishi's all-new Pajero Sport to compete with comparable models offered in the competition including the Ford Explorer, Isuzu MU-7 and Toyota Fortuner.
Although not based on a pickup with rear-wheel drive like the aforementioned models, the car-based Chevrolet Captiva equipped with front-wheel drive and 2.0-litre turbo-diesel is an alternative at similar price level of slightly over B1m.
Unlike the four-wheel drive version that uses a 165hp 3.0-litre diesel, this two-wheel drive Pajero Sport gets the smaller 140hp 2.5. Ford also uses this strategy to differentiate its Explorer lineup.
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| Estate practicality is a selling point. |
Pajero Sport has good cruising abilities. |
Apart from the mechanical running gear, the Pajero Sport 4x2 is only lightly distinguished on the skin by omitting the roof rails of the 4x4 version.
Other than that, the two Pajero Sports are basically the same. The mag wheels and automatic transmission are shared including the GT specification that includes twin airbags.
What's cool?
If you're looking for the most attractively priced seven-seat SUV in the market, look no further. In baseline form, the Pajero Sport is priced at B950,000.
And if it's versatility you're looking for, the Pajero Sport practically answers your needs by having estate-style seating configuration whose second and third rows of seats can fold flat for outright cargo space.
As for its road manners, the Pajero Sport 4x2 is very similar to those of the 4x4 driven for the first time in Motoring last month: comfortable ride, agile handling and sufficient clearance for off-roading capability - if you ever need it.
But what's better in 4x2 is refinement. The 2.5 turbo-diesel is less vocal than the 3.0 counterpart and add up to the good levels of cruising abilities the Pajero Sport has.
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| Four-speed automatic has manual shift. |
Engine is slightly sluggish at highway speeds. |
Lastly, by looking so similar to the 4x4 version, buyers with sensitive egos won't necessarily feel inferior in the 4x2.
What's not?
By being equipped with the smaller 2.5, performance is only adequate at low to medium speeds with usable overtaking power at high speeds somehow lacking.
Of course, the 4x2 is lighter than the 4x4 in body weight, but you still would crave for the 3.2. That could be the reason why the Fortuner 4x2 doesn't come with the 2.5 and gets the 3.0 instead.
Buy or bye?
As a proper SUV with all-weather and go-anywhere ability, the Pajero Sport is at its best in 4x4 3.2-litre form.
But what really should be attracting buyers to the 4x2 is the ability of the Pajero Sport to act as a spacious seven-seater with versatility nearly matching that of an estate or MPV.
Moreover, the starting price of B950,000 (B1.07m for GT) should also be a boon for punters who merely need the outright practicality of a mid-sized SUV that usually has to retail at a far higher cost, had it not been for the privileged tax rate given to pickup-based SUVs.
So despite contrasting a little to its intended concept, the Pajero Sport 4x2 still is a good value vehicle for those unpretentious about of their non-SUV intentions.
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