What is Mitsubishi Pajero called in the USA?
In the United States, Mitsubishi Pajero was marketed under the name Mitsubishi Montero.
Regional naming and the US Montero badge
The Pajero name is used in many global markets, but branding varies by region. In North America, the SUV commonly known as Pajero was sold as the Mitsubishi Montero, and later as Montero Sport in some configurations. The Pajero name itself is not used for new sales in the U.S. market today.
Key naming milestones across markets help illustrate how the same vehicle carried different badges depending on language, culture, and branding strategies.
- North America: The Pajero was marketed as the Mitsubishi Montero in the United States and Canada.
- United Kingdom: The same vehicle was branded as the Mitsubishi Shogun rather than Pajero for local markets.
- Global branding: In many non-English-speaking markets, the Pajero name remained the standard designation.
- Related models: The Montero Sport is a separate, smaller variant related to the Pajero/Montero lineage used in some markets.
These naming choices reflect regional marketing and language considerations, not changes to the vehicle itself.
Why the names differ by region
Marketing teams evaluate how a name will be received in different languages and cultures. The Montero name proved more effective in the United States and Canada, while the Shogun name helped avoid potential confusion or controversy in the UK. In Spanish-speaking markets, the Pajero badge has historically faced negative connotations, which also influenced regional branding decisions in some cases.
Current status in the United States
As of 2024–2025, Mitsubishi does not market a Pajero in the United States. The Montero name is part of the historical lineage of the SUV in North America, with the brand focusing its current lineup on models like the Outlander and Outlander Sport. The Pajero/Montero lineage persists in markets outside North America and in the used-vehicle market in the U.S.
Related models and legacy
The Montero Sport designation represents a related, smaller variant of the Pajero/Montero family. Over time, Mitsubishi’s US lineup shifted away from the Pajero/Montero branding, while other markets continued to use Pajero or different regional names for similar vehicles.
Summary
The Mitsubishi Pajero is called the Montero in the United States, reflecting regional branding choices rather than a difference in the vehicle itself. Across the globe, the same model has been known as Pajero, Montero, or Shogun depending on where it’s sold, driven by marketing strategy and language considerations. Today, the Pajero name is not used for new U.S. sales, with Mitsubishi’s current lineup focusing on newer models while the Pajero/Montero heritage remains in the brand’s international history.
