NRMA Car Review - Mitsubishi Pajero GLS & GLX

The Pajero has been a long-term success story for Mitsubishi, but over the last couple of years it became overshadowed by new releases from the likes of Toyota and Nissan. In April this year, Mitsubishi answered the challenge with an impressive new range of Pajeros that are amongst the most attractive (both in appearance and features) of all the family and recreational type four-wheel drives available today.

The latest NH model's updated body styling is rounder and more aerodynamic, with significant improvements in body strength claimed by Mitsubishi. The interiors are larger and better equipped, and many new comfort and convenience items are featured.

Drivetrain improvements include engine refinements for a little extra power, wider tracks and new damper and spring rates for better ride and handling, four-wheel disc brakes on GLX and GLS, and ABS anti-lock braking optional on GLS. A "Super Select" four-wheel drive system on GLX and GLS provides full-time 4WD with the option of disconnecting it when desired.

With ten Pajero models in all, anyone who is interested in buying a 4WD should be able to find a model suited to their requirements. The options include short and long wheelbase versions, a choice of three engines (four or six cylinder petrol or four cylinder turbo diesel), automatic or manual and three specification and equipment levels.

Prices start at $26,680 for the SWB GL (which is aimed mainly at fleet buyers), $33.090 for the mid-range GLX wagon (a good choice for families), through to $39,440 for a top-range GLS turbo diesel wagon. The two test N11 Pajeros were both manual wagons, one a GLX turbo-diesel and the other a GLS with the 3.0 litre V6 petrol engine.

Styling and features

The rounding of body lines and some creative use of body colour combinations, fender flares and side body garnishes on the top-grade models, have done the trick as far as updating the Pajero's looks and readily identifying the NH as a new model. The new Pajero is larger in all dimensions except height and sits on a wheelbase that's 70 mm longer in the SWB version and 30 mm longer in the wagons. Track measurements have increased by 20 mm.

Standards of finish looked impressively high on the two test Pajeros. The only criticism I had was that despite Mitsubishi's claims of increased body stiffness, there was still some flexing and squeaking about the upper front door frames when driving over rough ground.

As expected, equipment levels vary considerably as you go up the price range. The GL is fairly basic, with only part-time four wheel drive, drum rear brakes, manual steering (power-assistance is a $650 option) and leaf spring rear

suspension, but it does include a couple of handy items common to the entire range - a rear electrical socket for accessories (such as a portable fridge), and a better-than-average toolkit, neatly stored in the rear door.

The GLX wagons come well equipped with speed-sensitive power steering, the Super Select 4WD system, limited slip rear differential, coil spring rear suspension and four wheel disc brakes. Interior features include additional instruments, central locking, adjustable front seat belt shoulder anchorages, a detachable inspection lamp, lumbar and side support adjustments on the front seats and generally higher levels of trim and appointments.

GLS models have all these things, plus electric door mirrors, wide alloy road wheels with the previously mentioned wheel arch flares, two-tone paint, velour interior trim (LWB wagon), upgraded sound system with power antenna and a high mount stop light. GLS buyers can also specify options that include ABS anti-lock brakes (petrol models), a rear differential lock and variable rate dampers. There's also a luxury pack that adds a sun-roof, cruise control, power windows and suspension seats for the driver and front passenger.

Comfort and space

Seating capacity is five in the SWB models and up to seven )n the wagons. Just how comfortable each occupant is going to be depends very much on where they are sitting, what size they are and what model they are in.

Front occupants have good leg and head room, while the extra adjustments of the top models provide the best support and comfort (even better comfort is available with the optional suspension seats, particularly in rough going).

Occupants in the second row seat also have good leg room but if three people are carried, the two outer occupants are forced out onto less comfortable sections of the seat - comfort is best for two.

Though the wagons are classified as seven seaters, the two fold-down seats in the cargo area are really only suitable for children, both in size and the seating position, which results in a knees-up-under-the-chin situation for adults.

Luggage space is marginally better than before, but it's still rather limited with all seats in use. Folding the wagon's extra seats against the sides improves cargo length, but these seats, combined with the deep long wheel arches, restrict the amount of gear that can be carried. Even greater cargo length (nearly 1.6 metres) can be obtained by folding the second seat.

Behind the wheel

The sensible, straightforward layout of controls and instruments, with good attention to detail, makes for a pleasant and practical driving environment. All models have a tilt adjustment for the steering wheel and all have a tachometer and a fuel gauge that shows tank contents whether or not the ignition is on.

But there is one point of criticism and that's the orange-coloured instrument markings. Why Mitsubishi persist with these, I don't know - they show up all right at night but it's near Impossible to read the tripmeter or odometer in bright sunlight.

Vision for general driving is good but there are some restrictions when backing or manoeuvring. Looking back in the wagon, your view is restricted by the head restraints, the side seats when folded to the sides, and the spare wheel.

The power steering makes light work of parking, but the wagons in particular, need a lot of space to turn around.

On the road

Regardless of which model Pajero you choose, don't expect neck-snapping acceleration otherwise you'll be disappointed. These are heavy vehicles (over 1.9 tonnes for a GLS wagon) and getting this sort of mass moving from rest or from low speeds takes time.

As expected, the V6 petrol engine models provide the best performance but even they will be left behind at traffic lights by the likes of Holden Barinas and Toyota Corollas. Once under way both the V6 and the turbo diesel perform quite satisfactorily and pull well when operating around their peak engine torque speeds.

On road, the V6 versions are obviously superior in terms of outright acceleration, but the diesels show a remarkable capacity to pull well from low speeds in the higher gears. The low speed pulling ability of the diesel is also a bonus off-road, providing steadier control in difficult situations. An adverse feature of the V6 model in steep downhill four-wheel-driving situations was that even in low gear/low range, it was necessary to apply some braking to control the rate of progress something that's contrary to good 4WD techniques.

Not surprisingly, the turbo diesel is a winner on fuel consumption, using 11.4 litres/100 km overall in our tests, compared to 15.5 litres/100 km for the V6 petrol model. Buyers will need to calculate the importance of these fuel cost savings against the higher purchase price of turbo diesel models (around $2000 to $3000, depending on the model) and their requirements for performance. Whichever direction you choose; you'll go further in a Pajero wagon because they have 92 litre fuel tanks, as against 60 and 75 litre tanks in the SWB models.

Under acceleration, both the petrol and diesel models have more mechanical noise than your average family car, but at steady speeds, are acceptably quiet. When cruising at highway speeds, some wind noise can be heard from around the large external mirrors.

No one should expect car-type handling from a four-wheel drive - for one thing, the centre of gravity is much higher - however these new Pajeros rate amongst the best in their class on this aspect. There's still the usual body lean when cornering, but the wider track, longer wheelbase and revised damper and spring rates have produced better cornering and improved straight line stability at speed.

The two test vehicles provided an interesting comparison of ABS versus non-ABS braking, as the V6 had this anti-lock brake option fitted. The merits of ABS braking on loose dirt roads has been debated often, however on our bitumen test surface, the V6 pulled up in exceptionally short distances that would do credit to any modem passenger sedan. The Diesel also pulled up straight and without drama but travelled on a few more metres than the ABS-equipped V6. The only disappointment with the braking of both vehicles was a higher than expected build up in pedal effort after ten consecutive stops from 80 km/h.

Both test vehicles were manuals, so you wouldn't normally expect any differences in the gearbox operation, however the diesel had an easier change. The V6's gearbox at times showed a reluctance to select reverse gear. I had experienced this problem on the release drive programme as well, so let's hope it doesn't crop up as a regular in-service problem.

Off-road

Comfortable and capable - they're probably the best words to sum up the Pajero's ability when the going gets tough. Obviously, with their lighter mass and better departure angle (a figure that indicates the likelihood of scraping the rear when going from a flat surface onto an incline), the SWB versions are the best proposition for the dedicated off-roader. However the wagons are perfectly capable of handling conditions most frequently encountered by recreational 4WD owners. All models are equipped with skid protection plains and front and rear towing hooks.

The "Super Select" 4WD system that's standard on all but GL models is beneficial in that it provides the safety and dynamic benefits of full time 4WD over all types of on-road and off-road conditions, yet when road conditions are appropriate, allows drivers to choose the 2WD mode when desired. Running in 2WD can reduce noise and reduce fuel consumption, according to Mitsubishi.

Towing

Neither the V6 petrol or turbo diesel Pajeros provide the sort of towing power available in large engine Patrols or LandCruisers, nevertheless Mitsubishi specifies a maximum load of 2500 kg. Performance would be rather sluggish with this sort of load in tow and I would have thought around 1500 kg would be a more comfortable maximum. For trailers without brakes the recommended maximum is 750 kg.

Summary

With their comprehensive range of improvements over the previous models, the latest NH series Mitsubishi Pajeros are a fine example of 1990's style four-wheel driving - they are comfortable on-road, capable off-road, well finished, well equipped and relatively easy to drive and handle.

By NRMA Motoring, November 1991.

Back to top