The Pajero Junior is an anomaly in the Mitsubishi line-up
It's a kei-class base vehicle that's been beefed up with a wide body, wider track and a bigger engine.
Despite being small, the Mitsubishi Pajero Junior is every bit an off-road 4×4.
If the brand applies its legendary Pajero nameplate to a vehicle, it always makes sure it’s on something both capable and worthy.
The Pajero Junior, the rarest of the set, is arguably the most desirable. The Pajero Junior is a beefed-up version of the kei-class Pajero Mini.
Similar to the Jimny Sierra, the Pajero Junior is a widebody model, which means that the Pajero Junior did not qualify for low-cost kei-class registration in Japan when new.
It stymied its sales when new, which is why they are rare today. It features a 1.1-litre four-cylinder engine that offers more torque than the kei equivalent.
Add in a wide body, and it’s just too cool for school. We look for juniors all over Japan and find most of them being sent to America for eye-watering prices.
This one was a wonderful find with some service history, in original and above average condition.
The car pictured – 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero Junior ZR-2 4×4
This Mitsubishi Pajero Junior was built in May 1996 and is an ‘ZR-2’ trim level.
That means it’s powered by a 1.1-litre turbocharged ‘4A31’ four-cylinder engine with 59 kW of power and 100 Nm of torque. The vehicle is primarily rear-wheel drive, with a selectable four-wheel drive mode in either high or low range, and features a five-speed manual transmission.
As a Zr-2 model, it receives air conditioning, power windows, remote central locking, a front corner mirror, a driver’s side airbag, four-wheel ABS brakes, contrasting cloth interior trim and a CD player. This example was further optioned with genuine Mitsubishi fog lights and a front nudge bar.
It was purchased as a two-owner vehicle from Osaka, Japan, and comes with some Japanese service history and its original owner’s manual. Service stickers on the vehicle note it had a timing belt changed in 2019 at 96,591 km and was serviced in Japan in June 2024 before being exported. It was serviced upon arriving in Australia too in 2015.
The vehicle received an auction grade of 4.0B and has no history of accidents. The vehicle wears its original paint and is in above-average condition for its age. There is a minor dent on the driver’s side rear quarter panel under the window and various small scratches around the car. The interior is also neat and tidy, and the vehicle has never been smoked in.
Quick facts
- 1996 Mitsubishi Pajero Junior ZR-2
- 114,644 km
- ‘4a31’ four-cylinder engine petrol engine
- Manual transmission / four-wheel drive / low range transfer case
- Factory equipment: contrasting interior trim, air conditioning, power steering, driver’s side airbags, power windows and mirrors, ABS, remote central locking, air conditioning and radio
- Factory optioned fog lights and nudge bar
- Recently serviced upon arriving in Australia
- New high-quality Bridgestone tyres fitted (5x – including spare)
- Japanese service history and owner’s manual
- Japanese export certificate with odometer guarantee
- No accidents or rust
- Original paint
- Above average condition
- Auction grade 4.0B
- Vehicle comes with three months NSW registration
- Vehicle comes with compliance
Mitsubishi Motors announces that its Pajero, first launched in 1982, has been selected by the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame as one of its Historic Cars for its superb contributions to Japanese automotive history.Mitsubishi Japan
