After five years of absence, the Pajero is coming back — and Mitsubishi wants you to know it means business. The automaker has teased the return of its iconic triple Multi Meter gauge pod on the all-new Montero/Pajero, now reimagined as a fully digital display. Built on the same body-on-frame platform as the Triton pickup, this isn’t a crossover wearing hiking boots. The global debut is set for autumn 2026, with Australia among the first markets. North America gets the Montero nameplate closer to 2030.
More Than a Nostalgia Play
The digital Multi Meter delivers six data points that matter when the trail gets serious.
The new display provides altitude, compass heading, ambient temperature, vehicle pitch angle, vehicle roll angle, and real-time left-right torque distribution. That last metric is new. The original analog pod in second- and third-generation Pajeros never showed torque split data. For drivers who have lost traction confidence on a wet, off-camber slope, knowing exactly where torque is going isn’t a luxury — it’s the difference between threading a muddy switchback and reaching for a recovery strap.
What We Know So Far
- Body-on-frame construction, Triton-derived platform
- Diesel powertrain and full-time four-wheel-drive system expected
- Size reportedly comparable to the modern Toyota Land Cruiser
- Rear swing gate may be replaced by a liftback design (unconfirmed, per Car and Driver)
- Global debut: autumn 2026; North America launch approximately 2030
Heritage With Intent
Mitsubishi gave the Multi Meter its own teaser video — and that’s not something a brand does for a dashboard footnote.
The Multi Meter was a visual trademark of the Pajero’s off-road identity for decades. Mitsubishi isn’t just referencing that history — it’s using the gauges as proof of purpose. One open question remains: the automaker hasn’t confirmed whether the Multi Meter lives in a standalone pod, the main instrument cluster, or the infotainment screen. Enthusiasts are lobbying hard for a dedicated unit. The brand’s own teaser imagery, showing round digital dials that echo the classic analog pod, suggests they’re listening.
“Engineered to deliver authentic off-road performance that enables safe, secure and comfortable driving across various weather and road conditions.” — Mitsubishi Motors
Reddit and Instagram threads around the teaser reveal something telling: fans treat these gauges with the same emotional weight as engine specs. Think of it like a band reunion — this one seems to have something to say, not just tickets to sell.
The Autumn 2026 Debut Will Answer the Real Questions
Open questions around trim availability and customizable displays remain, but the gauges alone are enough to pay attention.
Whether the Multi Meter comes standard or sits behind a premium trim paywall remains unclear. So does the possibility of customizable data displays. For now, the return of those three dials signals that the Montero’s revival deserves serious attention from anyone who takes the trail seriously.
