Jislaaik! Mitsubishi's New Montero Is Coming… Eventually.

You’re dreaming if you think you’ll be tackling Van Reenen’s Pass in a new Mitsubishi Montero this year – we’re talking 2030, bru. Seriously. While we’re all here battling load shedding and debating whether another biltong braai is *really* necessary, Mitsubishi is casually plotting a vehicle launch almost a decade away. It’s a lekker reminder that sometimes, patience is a virtue… or a complete waste of time, depending on how you look at it. ## So, What's the Story with the Montero's Return? For the younger boets who don’t remember, the Montero – known to us old school guys as the Pajero – was a proper legend. A proper, reliable 4x4 that could handle anything we threw at it. But it’s been gone for a while, and Mitsubishi’s been… well, let’s just say they’ve been focusing on other things. Now, they’re trying to get their act together, spearheaded by something called ‘Momentum 2030’. According to *Automotive News*, this ‘Momentum 2030’ plan is basically a promise to drop a new or upgraded model *every year* until March 2031. It’s a bold move, and frankly, a bit ambitious. They kicked things off with the Eclipse Sportback, a small electric SUV going on sale in late 2026. But the real news? The Montero is part of this comeback story. A proper off-roader. ## 2030?! Seriously? What's Taking So Long? Jislaaik. 2030. That’s… a long time. What’s the hold-up? Well, it's not like they’re just whipping this thing up overnight. It's a full-scale North American refresh, and we’re getting the leftovers, potentially. They’re rolling out upgrades in stages. By mid-2027, we can expect an upgraded off-road Outlander – think more ride height, suspension tweaks, and a meaner front bumper. Then, in the second half of 2028, both the Outlander and Outlander Sport are getting completely overhauled, moving to new platforms. The Outlander Sport is getting *significantly* larger, apparently. But the Montero? That's the headline act, and it’s last in the queue. It's a slow burn, bru, a very slow burn. ## What Will This New Montero Actually *Be* Like? Okay, details are still a bit sketchy, but here’s what we know. The new Montero is expected to arrive in North America by 2030. It’ll be a three-row SUV, with about 12 inches of ground clearance – enough to clear most potholes in Joburg, I reckon. And get this: it's swapping the traditional swinging rear door for a more conventional rear hatch. Finally! That swinging door was kak, let's be honest. It's also sharing its “body-on-frame platform” with the Mitsubishi Triton, which is already available in Asia. The new Pajero in Asia (more on that in a sec) is roughly the same size as a Toyota Land Cruiser, so we’re talking serious size. ## The Pajero Connection: What's Happening in Asia? This is where it gets interesting. Mitsubishi isn't launching the Montero straight away. They’re testing the waters with a new “cross-country SUV” in Asia, and it's called the Pajero. It's sharing that same body-on-frame platform as the Triton. This Asian-market Pajero is a big deal – it's got a front light bar, vertically stacked headlights, and plenty of space. Think of it as a taste of what *might* come to our shores, but don’t get your hopes up too quickly. ## Will It Even Make It to South Africa? This is the big question, isn’t it? Honestly? It’s a maybe. A very hesitant maybe. Mitsubishi is *considering* a North American version, badged as a Montero, but there’s no guarantee it’ll make it to South Africa. We're a smaller market, and frankly, they might prioritize other regions. To get it here, we’d need to see serious demand, and Mitsubishi would need to believe the investment is worthwhile. Let's be real, a lot could change between now and 2030. ## What Does This Mean for Your Current 4x4? Let’s put things into perspective. If the Montero does eventually land here, it’ll be going up against some serious competition. We're talking about the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Toyota Fortuner, and potentially even the Ford Everest. The Land Cruiser is the king, but it'll cost you. The Fortuner is a solid all-rounder. The Montero would need to offer something special – a unique combination of off-road capability, comfort, and value – to really make a dent in the market. It’s a tall order, but if Mitsubishi gets it right, it could be a befok contender. ## Mitsubishi's Full Plan: It's Not Just About the Montero The Montero is just one piece of the puzzle. Mitsubishi is also planning a partnership with Nissan for a new mid-size pickup truck for North America. This truck will ride on the same platform as the Nissan Frontier and will be inspired by the Mitsubishi Triton. They're clearly trying to leverage synergies and share development costs. Smart move, considering Mitsubishi isn't exactly swimming in cash. They're hoping to inject some life into their North American lineup, and the Montero is a key part of that plan. They're aiming for a new or upgraded model *every year* until March 2031. So, there you have it. The new Mitsubishi Montero is coming… eventually. It’s a long wait, and there’s no guarantee it’ll even make it to South Africa. But the prospect of a new, proper off-roader is enough to get any boet excited. **The Verdict:** Mitsubishi is playing the long game with the Montero, and while the 2030 timeline is frustrating, the potential is there. It's a wait-and-see situation, but the Montero’s return could shake up the 4x4 market. But here's the real question: with the EV revolution gaining momentum, are we even going to *want* a big, petrol-guzzling 4x4 by 2030? Or will we all be silently gliding around in electric bakkies, silently judging each other’s range anxiety? Click here to find out what Mitsubishi’s EV plans are – because that's where the real future of this brand lies.