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Back to May 2012 Motorsports News Archive
| 14-05-2012 at 07:00: 2012 Mitsubishi Pajero VRX Diesel Test & Review | |
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The current Pajero is the fourth generation and leaves many other 4WD’s in its dust off road while making a statement on the road. As a go anywhere car the Pajero is well thought-out and designed and makes you feel like you can tackle any road in Oz. The VRX is one of five in the range and offers all the right gear for the traveler. Having all the features of the GLX and GLS and a few more, there is a lot on offer in and out of this car. The exterior shows a tough and strong feel with side steps, fog lamps, the addition of 18 inch alloy wheels, body coloured door mirrors and a rear spoiler and the finish is one worth staring at. Getting aboard the beast is not that much of an effort thanks to the side steps and the large doors all round. The seats are a good size but offer less support then we would have liked in a 4WD. The sports cloth and leather trim defiantly give the seats a good feel and there is more than enough room in the front and second row. The driver’s seat has an 8-way adjustment and includes lumber support and both front seats are heated for that extra comfort. Grabbing on to the leather bound steering wheel which holds many a button for Bluetooth, stereo and cruse, gives the real sense that this 4WD has a lot to offer. The dash cluster is large but the way the lighting is and how close the numbers are together makes reading the speed rather difficult. The VRX we tested had the Adventure Navigation Pack fitted which includes satellite navigation, reversing camera and iPod control. Although we did not really need the satellite nav around the city, the operation and control of the system is simple to use. In such a big vehicle the reversing camera did wonders for rearward visibility as without this it was very difficult to see. When plugging in my iPod the system was also easy to use. One of the best features of this Pajero is the 860 Watt 12 speaker Rockford Acoustic stereo system Moving to the third row of seats, which when not used fold flat and into the floor, there is very little room for anything. A family with a few children would enjoy this extra room but it would not be too long before they out grow the third row seating position. When the seats are folded there is more than enough boot space and the tailgate is not overly heavy and can be locked open if needed. Driving along most roads the suspension does a great job in keeping the ride smooth. The downfall to making the ride so smooth is the lack of handling when taking a corner. The Pajero will still stick to the road like hot tar to your boots but the fun of driving on the road is not there. Pushing it into the corners all you get is a lot of body roll and very noise tyres. Off road on the other hand the Pajero is in its element. The dirt and gravel roads seem to not worry the all terrain tyres and we were surprised by where we could get the Pajero into and best yet out of. The VRX diesel has plenty of power and is not the worst in fuel economy. The 3.2L CDI DOHC intercooled turbo diesel offers power when needed but can be driven around at a steady pace to conserve fuel. The output of the engine is 147kW at 3800rpm and 441 Nm at 2000rpm which always seemed more than enough to get us out of trouble. The combined fuel usage is said to be 9L/100km, which we believe is achievable on long drives. In everyday driving we could only get at best 12.3L/100km but we were still happy with that. The 5-speed automatic transmission with “Sports Mode” sequential style shift change and INVECS II ‘Smart Logic’ did not seem all that smart to me. Yes it worked well with the diesel however it seems to lack the ability to find the correct gear when you really want one and it could really do with sixth. The options offered in the transmission are 2H (2WD High Range), 4H (4WD High Range), 4HLC (4WD High Range w/Locked Centre Differential) and 4LLC (4WD Low Range w/Locked Centre Differential). All work well when used in the correct application. ADM Opinion The Pajero VRX diesel is a fantastic 4WD. It goes anywhere, with some limitations, and looks the part. The sound system and options make this an everyday vehicle and one that does not take long to enjoy. The ride is good and engine and road noise is very minimal. The transmission could do with a little improving but it is by far not the worst on the market. The feel of the build is good and it does not feel like a cheap build. Well worth the look if shopping for a real 4WD. Specifications Engine: 3.2L CDI DOHC intercooled turbo diesel Likes Dislikes ADM give the 2012 VRX Pajero Diesel 3.5/5 helmets |
There is an age old battle between owners of 4WD vehicles as to which one is the best on and off road. Mitsubishi came into the fight in Australia in 1983 and have not looked back, as every year they continue to improve the capabilities of this go anywhere 4WD.
which includes a subwoofer. Whether we were watching a DVD in the roof mounted player, which also plays through the front screen when stopped, or just cranking up the golden oldies the sound system was fantastic.
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