- The reborn Pajero ditches its iconic external spare wheel and moves it underneath.
- Mitsubishi claims the old setup made the rear door heavier and created practical headaches.
- The fifth-gen model has a conventional tailgate, with a hexagonal design element nodding to the spare wheel that used to sit there.
For decades, the spare wheel hanging from the tailgate was one of the easiest ways to recognize a Pajero from behind. Mitsubishi has now moved it underneath the vehicle, leaving the rear noticeably cleaner. The Japanese automaker incorporated a hexagonal design element into the tailgate as a visual nod to the spare wheel that used to live there.
This isn't simply a styling decision. According to chief product specialist Kunitoshi Itagaki, as cited by Australian magazine Drive, carrying the spare on the back created several practical headaches. The extra weight hanging off the rear made the door heavier, while accessing the cargo area meant moving that mass every time the door was opened. The rear-mounted wheel could also interfere with towing equipment and other accessories.
Moving the spare underneath makes the rear door easier to operate and gives the reborn Pajero a more conventional tailgate, replacing the side-hinged door. It also frees up the rear design for a cleaner, more modern appearance without completely abandoning the model's heritage, or so Mitsu says.
It's Apparently What People Wanted
'I understand the rear-mounted tire is one of the identities from the previous Pajero, but this time we really investigated the many customers' voices and usage from the global market. Our customers not only use this model for extreme off-road conditions, but also they use it in their daily usage. And in these conditions, usability wise, we planned to remove the spare tyre, and then to keep the spare tyre on the bottom.'
There's another practical benefit to moving the spare wheel underneath the body. Mitsubishi says the new tailgate can be used as part of a tent setup, turning the rear of the Pajero into a makeshift shelter when you're out camping. With the spare no longer hanging off the back, the tailgate can serve this purpose without the bulky wheel getting in the way.
The new Pajero won't be the only member of the revived family for long, either. As we recently reported, Mitsubishi has already teased smaller models that will join the flagship SUV, suggesting the Pajero nameplate is set to become a broader family rather than a one-off revival.
The larger model is therefore just the beginning of Mitsubishi's plan to bring one of its most important nameplates back into the spotlight.
2027 Mitsubishi Pajero
Motor1's Take: If ditching the tailgate-mounted spare makes the SUV easier to live with every day, that's probably a trade-off most owners will happily accept. Still, traditionalists and hardcore off-roaders might not be entirely convinced. An externally mounted spare wheel has long been part of the classic 4x4 formula, and there's a practical reason for that beyond looking rugged. Keeping the spare outside makes it easier to access when you're dealing with a flat tire on the trail.
The new setup is undoubtedly more convenient for everyday use, but serious off-roaders may miss having a more accessible spare wheel. After all, crawling underneath a muddy SUV to retrieve a spare isn't exactly what you'd call an upgrade when you're miles from the nearest paved road.
