A Familiar Rivalry Is Brewing
The Mitsubishi Pajero returned to the scene with a diesel-only engine, which could attract buyers who prefer the strong low-end torque of this powertrain, particularly for towing. Competition is heating up among body-on-frame SUVs, and perhaps Toyota is already on top of things with the Land Cruiser 250.
Toyota will reportedly update the diesel lineup of the Land Cruiser 250, also known as the Prado in some markets, toward the end of 2026, likely with upgrades similar to those introduced for the gasoline model in Japan earlier this year. The Land Cruiser 250 could also see a price increase that brings it closer to the Pajero, creating substantial price overlap between the two SUVs.
Mitsubishi
More Features May Be on the Way
Creative Trend didn’t disclose the exact equipment coming to the updated diesel-powered Toyota SUV. However, it did point out the upgrades introduced to the gasoline model – some of which are expected to make their way into the diesel lineup, which consists of the GX, VX, and ZX trims. These changes include upgraded driver-assistance features, including Toyota Teammate, standardized anti-theft functions, and additional standard equipment such as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory.
They are considered minor changes, though with the Mitsubishi Pajero – which uses a 2.4-liter turbodiesel inline-four making 201 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque – joining the fray, any improvements that can help attract customers cross-shopping the two may prove handy.
If these upgrades are introduced in the diesel-powered Land Cruiser 250, the publication estimates a possible price increase of 6%. That would put the entry-level diesel GX at about 5.5 million Japanese yen (approximately $35,700 at current exchange rates), followed by the diesel VX at 6.6 million yen ($43,300) and diesel ZX at 7.7 million yen ($50,500). That would undercut the Pajero’s estimated 6.1 million yen ($40,100) starting price.
Toyota
America Has a Different Rulebook
Neither diesel-powered SUV has been announced for the U.S. The U.S.-spec Toyota Land Cruiser instead uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged i-Force Max hybrid inline-four producing 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Meanwhile, with a diesel-only powertrain at launch, the Mitsubishi Pajero isn’t expected to make its way stateside, where it was previously called the Montero. However, reports suggest a hybridized version could make a market entry more plausible, after company executives confirmed plans to develop electrified versions of its body-on-frame vehicles. A U.S. launch remains unconfirmed, but it would let the Japanese marque capitalize on demand for rugged, ladder-frame vehicles among American buyers, a segment Toyota serves with models like the Sequoia and 4Runner.
For now, Mitsubishi’s U.S. lineup focuses on mass-market crossovers, including the Outlander, while the brand also taps the EV market with the Nissan Leaf-based Eclipse Sportback.
Mitsubishi
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