Why is the Mitsubishi Pajero so popular in the UAE?

The Mitsubishi Pajero remains a popular choice among drivers in the United Arab Emirates, with its roots tracing back to the early 1980s when the first-generation model hit the UAE market. Its popularity can be attributed to its robust, no-nonsense design and ability to tackle any terrain, making it an ideal vehicle for desert excursions.

The Mitsubishi Pajero's success can be attributed to several key factors, including its body-on-frame construction, reliable and frugal 2.6-litre four-cylinder engine, and independent front suspension, which smooth out desert tracks. When the Pajero was first launched in the UAE, it started as a three-door, short-wheelbase model with metal or canvas tops, but later expanded to a five-door, long-wheelbase version in 1983, which comfortably seated up to seven people, making it a popular choice for families.

Despite being smaller than its competitors, the Pajero offered better pricing, enabling it to capture a unique niche in the domestic market. The Pajero's success can be further attributed to its continuous evolution, with upgrades such as the introduction of a V6 engine in 1988 adding power and refinement. Ahmad Pervez, founder and chief of Dubai Offroaders, a leading desert-driving institute, highlights several qualities that have made the Pajero a desert legend, such as its Super Select 4WD system, good V6 engines, compliant suspension, sensible weight, and decent ground clearance.

Pervez explains that the Pajero's success in the UAE lies in its ability to provide stability, traction, and predictable handling, even in challenging desert conditions. The Pajero's monocoque chassis, introduced in the third-generation model, did not detract from its off-road capabilities, as it provided low weight, good power delivery, and compliant suspension.

This combination of features has made the Pajero an extraordinarily useful vehicle for desert driving. The Mitsubishi Pajero's motorsport legacy is also noteworthy, with the vehicle achieving seven consecutive wins in the Paris-Dakar Rally from 2001 to 2007. Despite the Pajero's production coming to an end in 2021, the brand has recently unveiled its all-new fifth-generation model, which retains the rugged spirit of the original while bringing a proper ladder-frame architecture and rigid rear axle.