Mitsubishi · 1995–1998

Mitsubishi Pajero Junior

The Mitsubishi Pajero Junior is a mini SUV produced by Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors between October 1995 and March 1998 for the Japanese domestic market only. Based on a lengthened Minica platform, it was a larger version of the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini, a kei car. The biggest visual difference from the Pajero Mini is the wide fender trims and wider tyres, giving it a more purposeful appearance. The car is classified as a small size car according to Japanese government dimension regulations, so it pays lower taxes than the normal-size Pajero but higher taxes than the Pajero Mini.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Mitsubishi Pajero iO

All Mitsubishi Pajero Junior data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Design

For road and light off-road use, a rear wheel drive configuration can be selected. However, it also has a selectable (which Mitsubishi called "Easy-Select 4WD") four-wheel drive system (low and high gear ratios) for serious off-road driving. The Pajero Junior has better off-road capabilities than some contemporary mini SUVs like the Daihatsu Terios and Suzuki X-90. The 1094 cc engine block is the same as used in the Mitsubishi Colt, developing 80 PS (59 kW) at 6,500 rpm and giving the vehicle a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). The steering is a traditional rack and pinion setup, with power assistance. The front suspension is double wishbone, and the rear is helical spring. Sales of the Mitsubishi Pajero Junior ended in June 1998 due to the launch of its replacement, the Mitsubishi Pajero iO (known in Europe as the "Pinin"). By that time, Mitsubishi were aware that many Pajero Juniors were being unofficially exported to other countries, so an entirely new model was designed to take the vehicle away from its kei car roots and to support larger engine sizes for the international market, although only form factors and engines that fit within Japanese compact class were available for the newer car.

Versions

=== Pajero Jr. ZR-I === The first vehicles rolled off the production line on 26 October 1995. The ZR-I was the only model available until it was superseded by the ZR-II in January 1997. It was equipped with a range of amenities as standard such as air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes (ABS), SRS airbag (driver's side), electric front windows, electric door mirrors and keyless entry. A small selection of optional extras were available such as six-spoked aluminium wheels, bull bars, roof rails and privacy glass. The functional interior design included cup holders, quarter pockets, and split rear seats which fold completely flat providing a surprisingly large carrying capacity for such a small vehicle. Pajero Jr. ZR-II. The ZR-II was built from January 1997 to March 1998 (with sales ending in June of that year) and had the same specification as the ZR-I model, plus an additional cluster of digital instruments which included an altimeter, compass, outside temperature gauge and a clock. Pajero Jr. McTwist & Pajero Jr. Lynx. The popularity of the vehicle inspired Mitsubishi to create three limited editions (with the intention to build up to 1000 units of each limited edition), two of which — the Pajero Jr. McTwist, and Pajero Jr. Lynx — were exhibited at the 32nd Tokyo Motor Show in 1997. Both of these limited edition models shared the same base specification as the ZR-II, with the addition of a wood-effect insert on the dashboard and upgraded interior trim (grey on the McTwist, beige on the Lynx). External differences were that the McTwist model (built from October 1996 to March 1998) sported a plastic A-frame bullbar with 6 in (15 cm) spotlights, and the Lynx model (built from May 1997 to July 1997) sported a stainless steel bar upon which two small 5 in (13 cm) spotlights wer

Recalls

In February 2001, all Pajero Juniors were recalled to replace the airbag unit in the centre of the steering wheel. This was due to reports of a small number of airbags being deployed upon starting the engine.

Annual production and sales

== References == https://web.archive.org/web/20120608030927/http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/publish/pressrelease_en/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/20061022130131/http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/ir/share/pdf/e/fact0009.pdf

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Mitsubishi Pajero Junior (H57A)

Manufacturer

Mitsubishi Motors

Production

October 1995 – March 1998

Assembly

Japan: Okazaki, Aichi (Nagoya plant)

Class

Mini SUV

Body style

3-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Related

Mitsubishi Pajero Mini

Engine

Petrol:, 1094 cc 4A31 SOHC 16-valve I4

Transmission

5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic

Wheelbase

2200 mm

Length

3500 mm

Width

1545 mm

Height

1660 mm

Kerb weight

980 kg

Successor

Mitsubishi Pajero iO

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1939879CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Pajero_JuniorCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373354965 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitsubishi_Pajero_Jr.jpgPublic domain · Photo: TTTNIS · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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