Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Australia: Which 4WD SUV Is the Better Buy?

If we are shopping for a rugged seven-seat 4WD in Australia, the Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Australia comparison is one of those match-ups that looks straightforward until we dig beneath the surface.

Both vehicles come from ute-based foundations. Both are designed to handle family duties during the week and dusty tracks on the weekend. Both can tow serious loads, tackle rough Australian roads and carry seven people in selected configurations. Yet they approach the job rather differently.

The Ford Everest feels like the newer, more sophisticated all-rounder. It brings stronger available performance, a more contemporary cabin, substantial towing ability and a broad collection of driver-assistance technology. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport follows a simpler recipe: proven turbo-diesel power, genuine off-road hardware, an eight-speed automatic and Mitsubishi's highly regarded Super Select 4WD-II system.

There is also an important difference for Australian buyers today. Mitsubishi ended Australian production of the Pajero Sport, meaning buyers are increasingly looking at remaining stock or used examples rather than comparing two equally current showroom models. The Everest, meanwhile, remains part of Ford Australia's active SUV range.

So, does newer automatically mean better? Not necessarily. A well-priced Pajero Sport can still make an enormous amount of sense.

Let's find out which one suits us best.

Ford Everest vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at a Glance

These SUVs chase broadly the same adventurous Australian buyer, but the numbers reveal meaningful differences.

Ford officially quotes up to 3,500kg braked towing capacity for the Everest when correctly equipped, while Mitsubishi lists 3.1 tonnes for the 4WD Pajero Sport.

Already, we can see the personalities separating.

The Everest is the more ambitious machine. The Pajero Sport is the pragmatic one.

What Is the Biggest Difference Between the Ford Everest and Pajero Sport?

The biggest difference isn't simply horsepower, towing capacity or touchscreen size. It's generation.

The Everest represents a newer interpretation of the ute-based family 4WD. It tries to blur the boundary between a serious off-roader and a modern road-biased SUV.

The Pajero Sport belongs to an earlier school. We still get modern conveniences, but its fundamental appeal is mechanical simplicity and proven capability rather than cutting-edge presentation.

Think of the Everest as a hiking boot made with modern lightweight materials and clever cushioning. The Pajero Sport is the traditional leather boot that might feel less sophisticated but has already walked thousands of kilometres.

Neither philosophy is wrong.

Our choice depends on where we're walking.

Engines and Performance

Ford Everest Engine Performance

One of the Everest's strongest cards has been its engine range.

Depending on specification and model year, Australian Everest buyers have had access to Ford's 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel and the much punchier 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6. Ford quotes the equivalent Ranger versions of these engines at 154kW/500Nm for the 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo and 184kW/600Nm for the V6.

The V6 is particularly important to this comparison.

Six hundred Newton-metres gives the Ford relaxed pulling power. Rather than having to work furiously when climbing a long hill or accelerating with a caravan behind it, the engine has a deep reservoir of torque.

It feels muscular without needing to shout about it.

That matters in Australia, where a family 4WD might spend one weekend crawling through a national park and the next dragging a caravan several hundred kilometres down the highway.

Pajero Sport Engine Performance

The Pajero Sport uses Mitsubishi's 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Its approximately 133kW and 430Nm output doesn't look spectacular beside the Everest V6. Yet numbers don't tell the entire story.

The Mitsubishi was never intended to win drag races.

Its engine is built around useful low-speed diesel pulling power and straightforward operation. The eight-speed automatic also gives it enough ratios to keep the engine in its useful torque band without constantly hunting between gears.

Around town, performance is perfectly adequate.

On the highway, it does the job.

Load it heavily, point it uphill and compare it directly with a V6 Everest, however, and the Ford's extra muscle becomes difficult to ignore.

Performance Winner: Ford Everest

For effortless overtaking, towing and heavily loaded touring, we'd take the Everest—especially the V6.

The Pajero Sport isn't weak. The Ford simply operates at another level.

Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Fuel Economy

This is where bigger and stronger doesn't necessarily mean cheaper.

Real-world diesel consumption varies enormously with tyres, roof racks, passenger loads, trailers, driving style and terrain. Tow a large caravan into a headwind and any official fuel figure quickly becomes little more than a distant memory.

The Pajero Sport's smaller four-cylinder diesel can make sense for drivers who simply don't need V6 performance.

A Pajero Sport tested in Australia returned consumption a little above 9L/100km, according to one 2025 review, although that should be treated as one test result rather than a guarantee of what every owner will experience.

The Everest's stronger engines can justify their thirst by delivering considerably more performance.

For us, the real question isn't, “Which uses less fuel?”

It's, “How much engine do we actually need?”

If we're mainly commuting and occasionally camping, the Mitsubishi's moderate output may be perfectly sensible. If we regularly tow a heavy van, we'd happily accept somewhat higher operating costs for the effortless torque of an Everest V6.

Towing Capacity: Everest Wins the Numbers Battle

Towing is one of the clearest differences in the Ford Everest vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport debate.

The Everest can tow up to 3,500kg braked when appropriately configured. Ford also quotes a maximum towball limit of 350kg in its Everest towing guidance.

The Pajero Sport's 4WD variants are rated to 3,100kg braked, with Mitsubishi promoting the same figure alongside its Super Select 4WD-II system.

Four hundred kilograms may not sound enormous on paper.

When we're shopping for a large caravan, though, it can completely change which vehicle is suitable.

Does a 3,500kg Rating Automatically Make the Everest Better for Towing?

No.

Maximum towing capacity is only one line in a much bigger equation.

We also need to consider vehicle payload, towball mass, Gross Vehicle Mass, Gross Combination Mass and the weight of passengers, accessories and luggage.

This matters with the Pajero Sport in particular. A recent Australian towing analysis notes that a 2025 run-out Pajero Sport's combination limits can significantly reduce available vehicle payload when towing close to its 3,100kg maximum.

The same broader principle applies to every tow vehicle: never choose one based purely on the headline towing number.

Still, if our caravan genuinely requires more than 3.1 tonnes of rated capacity, this contest becomes simple.

The Everest wins.

Off-Road Capability

Now the Mitsubishi starts swinging back.

Ford has built serious off-road ability into the Everest, but Pajero Sport has always had a particularly useful ace: Super Select 4WD-II.

Mitsubishi's system incorporates dedicated Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand and Rock off-road modes, while the vehicle also provides low-range capability for demanding terrain.

That versatility is a big reason the Pajero Sport remains respected among Australian four-wheel-drive buyers.

Pajero Sport Super Select 4WD-II

Super Select is clever because it isn't simply a “2WD until things get ugly” arrangement.

Its different operating modes give drivers considerable flexibility depending on the surface underneath the tyres.

On changing Australian terrain—bitumen, corrugations, gravel, sand and muddy tracks—that flexibility is genuinely useful.

The Pajero Sport doesn't need enormous horsepower to feel convincing off-road. Low gearing, sensible electronics and predictable throttle response matter more when we're picking a path around rocks at walking pace.

Everest Off Road

The Everest responds with sophisticated terrain-management technology, strong diesel torque and a well-developed four-wheel-drive platform.

Its available V6 is particularly enjoyable in sand and on steep climbs because torque arrives with little drama.

The newer Ford also feels as though more effort has gone into combining off-road performance with comfortable road manners.

Which Is Better Off Road?

This one is close.

For buyers who value a traditional, proven 4WD system and don't care about having the newest interior, Pajero Sport remains deeply convincing.

For drivers who want serious off-road ability without surrendering highway sophistication, Everest gets our vote.

The Mitsubishi feels like a tool.

The Ford feels like a tool wearing a tailored jacket.

Ride and Handling on Australian Roads

Most four-wheel drives spend far more time on sealed roads than they do climbing mountains.

That's why road manners deserve as much attention as differential locks and low-range ratios.

Here, the Everest has the advantage.

Its road behaviour is more polished and composed, particularly when we compare it with the older Pajero Sport architecture.

Australian testing of the Pajero Sport has noted its relatively rugged and bouncy on-road character as well as the noticeable diesel soundtrack.

Some people won't care.

Actually, some buyers may like it.

There is something satisfyingly honest about a vehicle that constantly reminds us it was designed to survive rough terrain.

But if we're doing the school run Monday to Friday, commuting through Sydney or Melbourne, then driving six hours down the highway for a camping trip, the Everest is easier to live with.

Interior Quality and Technology

Everest Cabin

Step into a current-generation Everest and the age difference becomes obvious.

The Ford's cabin has a much more modern visual character, combining digital instrumentation with a large portrait-oriented infotainment display on many variants.

This makes the Everest feel closer to a contemporary passenger SUV.

Materials and trim vary with grade, of course, but the fundamental dashboard architecture feels modern.

For families who spend hours inside their vehicle, that's significant.

Technology isn't just decorative anymore. Navigation, smartphone integration, camera systems and towing assistance can substantially reduce fatigue during long journeys.

Pajero Sport Cabin

The Pajero Sport takes a more conventional approach.

Its interior is functional and generally easy to understand, but it doesn't deliver the same visual theatre.

That might actually be good news for some of us.

Not everybody wants a dashboard that looks like an electronics store.

Physical controls and a straightforward layout can be refreshing when we're bouncing down a corrugated road wearing gloves and trying to change a setting without digging through layers of menus.

Even so, judged purely on technology and presentation, the Ford feels several years newer.

Because it is.

Seven-Seat Practicality

Both vehicles can serve as genuine family SUVs, but seven-seat buyers should sit in every row before signing anything.

The third row in this class is rarely limousine territory.

In a Pajero Sport review, the third row was described as principally suitable for children because of limited headroom and legroom.

That's hardly unusual for ute-derived SUVs.

The Everest generally makes a stronger case as a vehicle expected to carry seven occupants regularly rather than occasionally.

Which Is Better for Large Families?

We would choose the Everest if seven-seat use forms part of the weekly routine.

If the third row will spend most of its life folded away and only emerge when cousins or children's friends jump aboard, the Pajero Sport becomes much easier to justify.

That's an important distinction.

Why pay for ultimate seven-seat refinement if we're effectively buying a five-seater with emergency chairs?

Cargo Space and Touring Practicality

Touring families don't pack lightly.

There are bags, fridge slides, chairs, recovery equipment, food, water, children's gear and somehow three jackets nobody remembers packing.

With seven seats occupied, cargo room naturally becomes restricted in both SUVs.

Fold the third row and both turn into much more useful touring wagons.

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The Everest's newer packaging and cabin design make it the more convincing long-distance family vehicle overall, while the Pajero Sport's relatively compact proportions can be an advantage in tighter urban spaces and narrow bush tracks.

For remote touring, we'd focus less on brochure litres and more on actual payload.

Bullbars, drawers, roof racks, long-range tanks and towball load all eat into allowable weight frighteningly quickly.

A 4WD can look half-empty while already being legally full.

Safety Comparison

Safety is another area where vehicle age matters.

The current-generation Everest achieved a five-star ANCAP result under 2022 assessment protocols.

The Pajero Sport also historically earned a five-star ANCAP rating, but its rating dates from an older assessment era. ANCAP records the model from its 2015 introduction, meaning we should not interpret the two five-star scores as directly equivalent tests conducted against identical standards.

That's an important nuance.

A star rating isn't frozen in technological time.

Newer protocols place increasing emphasis on crash avoidance, vulnerable-road-user protection and sophisticated driver-assistance systems.

For families prioritising contemporary safety technology, the Everest is the stronger proposition.

Reliability and Long-Term Ownership

Here's where things become less black and white.

The Pajero Sport's age can work in its favour.

Its powertrain and mechanical layout have been on Australian roads for years, and many independent workshops are familiar with them. A mature platform also gives second-hand shoppers far more owner history to research.

The Ford's more sophisticated drivetrain and electronics provide more capability, but sophistication inevitably means complexity.

That doesn't automatically make the Ford unreliable.

Nor does simplicity make every Mitsubishi bulletproof.

Service history matters enormously.

If we're buying a used Pajero Sport, a meticulously maintained example with documented servicing can be more attractive than a neglected newer SUV wearing a fashionable badge.

Warranty and Servicing

Mitsubishi's warranty strategy was a significant Pajero Sport selling point toward the end of its Australian run.

Eligible owners could access coverage extending to ten years/200,000km subject to servicing conditions within Mitsubishi's dealer network; standard coverage otherwise differed. One Australian review also noted capped-price servicing extending across ten scheduled services.

With run-out and used vehicles, however, buyers need to verify exactly how much warranty remains and whether servicing conditions have been satisfied.

Never assume the headline warranty advertised when the vehicle was new automatically follows every used example unchanged.

With an Everest, we're more likely to be comparing a current new vehicle with a conventional manufacturer warranty against an older or run-out Mitsubishi.

That fundamentally changes the ownership equation.

Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Price and Value

And now we reach the reason the Mitsubishi refuses to disappear quietly.

Value.

Pajero Sport has traditionally undercut many major ute-based 4WD rivals. Toward the end of its Australian showroom life, published pricing placed it below comparable Everest territory, reinforcing its reputation as a lot of 4WD for the money.

Used values can make the difference wider again.

Imagine we have a fixed budget.

With an Everest, that budget may put us into a lower specification, an older example or a vehicle with more kilometres.

The same money might buy a higher-grade Pajero Sport with desirable equipment and a strong maintenance history.

Suddenly the supposedly inferior vehicle doesn't look inferior at all.

Is the Pajero Sport Better Value Than the Everest?

Often, yes.

Especially second-hand.

The Everest is the superior vehicle in several objective areas, but value isn't about buying the most capable machine.

It's about how much capability we receive for every dollar spent.

If a Pajero Sport already does everything we need—seven seats, low-range 4WD, 3.1-tonne towing and touring capability—spending considerably more simply because the Everest is newer may not achieve much for us.

Used Pajero Sport vs Used Ford Everest

This might actually be the most interesting version of the comparison.

Once depreciation enters the picture, specifications become secondary to condition.

A pristine Pajero Sport with complete records, quality tyres and no evidence of abusive off-road use beats a poorly maintained Everest every day of the week.

Likewise, an Everest with impeccable maintenance could be worth stretching the budget for.

When buying used, we should inspect service history, towing history, underbody damage, suspension condition, tyre wear, cooling-system condition, transmission behaviour and any aftermarket modifications.

Heavy-duty accessories can look impressive.

They can also tell us the vehicle has lived a heavy-duty life.

Which Is Better for Towing a Caravan?

If our caravan is heavy, Everest.

Its 3,500kg maximum braked rating gives us substantially more flexibility than the Pajero Sport's 3,100kg figure.

The V6's 600Nm also makes the Ford particularly appealing for sustained highway towing.

But we'd still run the complete weight calculations.

A towing limit is not permission to hitch 3.5 tonnes behind the car, fill every seat, load the roof, install drawers and throw half the garage into the boot.

Weights matter.

Which Is Better for Off-Road Touring?

This comes down to personality.

If our dream trip involves Cape York, desert tracks, beach driving and remote campsites, both belong on the shortlist.

Pajero Sport's Super Select 4WD-II system and dedicated Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand and Rock modes reinforce its credentials as a genuine off-road vehicle.

The Everest adds greater refinement and, in V6 form, significantly more torque.

For difficult terrain alone, we could happily own either.

For the 2,000 kilometres of bitumen surrounding that difficult terrain, we'd rather be in the Ford.

Which Is Better Around Town?

Again, Everest.

Its more contemporary cabin, stronger refinement and newer driver-assistance technology make it the easier daily companion.

Pajero Sport can absolutely handle urban life, but we never completely forget we're driving a rugged ute-based SUV.

The Ford hides its working-class roots more successfully.

For some buyers, that alone justifies the price premium.

Reasons to Buy the Ford Everest or Pajero Sport

If we're reducing the entire comparison to the essentials, our decision can look like this:

• Choose the Ford Everest if we prioritise stronger performance, up to 3,500kg towing, modern safety technology, cabin refinement, regular family use and a more current ownership experience.
• Choose the Pajero Sport if we prioritise purchase value, proven off-road hardware, Super Select 4WD-II, relatively straightforward mechanical character and strong used-market affordability.
• Choose the Everest V6 if heavy towing is a major part of ownership.
• Choose the Pajero Sport if our towing requirements stay comfortably below its limits and we'd rather keep thousands of dollars in the bank.
• Buy on condition rather than badge when comparing used examples.

That final point deserves repeating.

A vehicle's reputation doesn't service its transmission.

Its owner does.

Ford Everest Advantages

The Everest wins this comparison through breadth of ability.

It can behave like a comfortable family SUV, serious towing platform and capable off-roader without feeling particularly compromised in any one role.

Its available V6 diesel is the star attraction. Add modern technology, improved road refinement and 3.5-tonne towing ability and we have an extraordinarily complete Australian touring vehicle.

The catch?

We pay for it.

Pajero Sport Advantages

Pajero Sport's strength is honesty.

It doesn't pretend to be luxurious enough to challenge European SUVs. It doesn't need enormous digital displays to justify its existence.

It simply gives us a proper diesel-powered 4WD platform, useful seven-seat capability on relevant variants, an eight-speed automatic, Super Select 4WD-II and a 3.1-tonne maximum braked towing capacity on 4WD models.

For the right price, that's still an attractive package.

And because Australian production has ended, good examples may increasingly appeal to buyers who specifically want this established Mitsubishi formula rather than the increasingly technology-heavy direction of newer SUVs.

Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Australia: Our Verdict

So, which should we buy?

The Ford Everest is the better vehicle overall.

It wins on available engine performance, maximum towing capacity, interior technology, road refinement and contemporary safety credentials.

If money isn't the deciding factor and we want one SUV to handle school runs, caravans, long highway drives and serious off-road adventures, Everest is difficult to beat.

But that doesn't make Pajero Sport a bad purchase.

Far from it.

The Pajero Sport can be the better-value buy, particularly on the used market.

If our priorities are reliable-feeling simplicity, genuine 4WD capability and sensible purchase cost—and we don't need to tow beyond 3.1 tonnes—it still offers an enormous amount of utility.

This is ultimately less like comparing a winner and loser and more like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a sturdy toolbox.

The Everest does more things elegantly.

The Pajero Sport focuses on getting the important jobs done without demanding as much money for the privilege.

For most Australian families buying new, we'd choose the Ford Everest.

For value-conscious buyers shopping used, we'd absolutely keep the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport on the list.

Conclusion

The Ford Everest vs Pajero Sport Australia battle demonstrates how rapidly the seven-seat 4WD market has evolved.

Ford has pushed the category toward greater comfort, performance and technology while retaining genuine towing and off-road credentials. Its maximum 3,500kg braked towing capacity gives serious caravan owners additional breathing room, while the available V6 provides effortless performance.

Mitsubishi took a different path. Pajero Sport remained relatively straightforward, capable and keenly focused on value right through the end of its Australian production run. Super Select 4WD-II and its 3.1-tonne towing capacity mean its underlying abilities remain useful even if the dashboard doesn't look as fashionable.

Would we choose the Everest with an unrestricted budget?

Yes.

Would we spend substantially more on one if a clean, properly maintained Pajero Sport comfortably covered everything we actually needed?

Not automatically.

And that's exactly why this comparison remains worth having.

FAQs

1. Is the Ford Everest better than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?

Overall, yes. The Ford Everest is more modern, offers stronger available engine performance, reaches a higher maximum braked towing capacity and provides a more contemporary cabin and safety package. The Pajero Sport remains attractive if value and traditional off-road capability matter more than refinement.

2. Which can tow more, Ford Everest or Pajero Sport?

The Ford Everest can tow up to 3,500kg braked when properly equipped, while 4WD versions of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport are rated to 3,100kg braked. Buyers should still calculate payload, towball weight, GVM and GCM rather than relying only on the maximum towing figure.

3. Is Pajero Sport good for off-road driving in Australia?

Yes. The Pajero Sport is a genuine off-road SUV with Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system and terrain settings for Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand and Rock. Its relatively straightforward drivetrain also makes it appealing to buyers interested in touring and recreational four-wheel driving.

4. Is the Pajero Sport still sold new in Australia?

Mitsubishi ended production of the Pajero Sport for the Australian market, so availability increasingly depends on remaining dealer stock and the used market rather than continued mainstream production. Buyers should therefore check actual local inventory rather than relying on older price lists.

5. Should I buy a used Everest or Pajero Sport?

Buy the best-maintained example that suits your requirements. An Everest is preferable if we want greater refinement, stronger available performance and heavier towing capability. A Pajero Sport can offer substantially better value when we don't need the Everest's extra performance or technology. In either case, complete service history and vehicle condition matter more than the badge on the grille.

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