Last year, we did a render of the next-gen Mitsubishi PPV based on teasers that pretty much just showed silhouettes. Thanks to new spy photos making their rounds on the internet, we can fill in a lot of the blanks and come up with a more accurate render of the Japanese carmaker’s future body-on-frame SUV.
But before anything, here’s a quick refresher of what we know so far. Mitsubishi released a 2023 teaser for its upcoming models. It referred to the computer-generated image of a boxy SUV under a tarp as a ‘PPV.’ The Japanese carmaker released a follow-up teaser in 2024 showing front-view silhouettes of some upcoming models, which included an upright boxy SUV. Traditionally, a PPV or pickup platform vehicle shares the front half of the pickup it’s based on. In this case, Mitsubishi’s next-gen PPV has a unique body structure. Based on its profile alone, it looks more like a Toyota Prado rival rather than a Fortuner-fighter. Could Mitsubishi’s next PPV be called the new Pajero or Montero without the ‘Sport’ suffix?
The next-gen PPV features Mitsubishi’s latest design language. It appears to have a strong family resemblance to the new Destinator SUV, but with a boxier body and a taller greenhouse with a more vertical windshield. Distinct Mitsubishi styling details like the T-shape headlight clusters and taillights are present. It seems to incorporate the Destinator’s ‘Hexaguard Horizon concept’ rear-end styling. This hexagonal theme on the tailgate is inspired by the external spare tire of the classic Pajero, and to my eyes, I see hints of the hexagonal spare tire cover of the refreshed fourth-gen Pajero.
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Will Mitsubishi’s next-gen PPV move upmarket? That’s a possibility, but if it continues to be manufactured in Thailand, there’s a chance it could still be reasonably priced. The Japanese carmaker could also be making room for its new three-row, front-drive, unibody Destinator, which is larger than most other small seven-seater CUVs. Again, these are all speculations.
What could be under the hood? The next-gen PPV would most likely share the Triton’s powerplants, meaning the Japanese carmaker’s 4N16 2.4-liter MIVEC diesel engines. Two versions of the oil-burner are available in the Japanese carmaker’s pickup: the single-turbo that puts out 181hp and 430Nm of torque, and the twin-turbo version that pumps out a healthier 201hp and 470Nm of torque. With stricter emissions regulations being introduced, don’t be surprised if an electrified option like a plug-in hybrid appears.
Would you consider Mitsubishi’s upcoming PPV over the competition if it looked like this? Let us know in the comments.
