New Mitsubishi Pajero, Outlander Sport Hybrid and Electric ASX VR-e Coming to New Zealand

Mitsubishi’s next generation of SUVs is taking shape, with the new Mitsubishi Pajero, Outlander Sport HEV hybrid and fully electric ASX VR-e heading to New Zealand.

General Manager of Morrison Motor Group JP Wolfenden discusses why these upcoming Mitsubishi models matter, and urges you to register your interest with Morrison Motor Group and be one of the first to experience the next chapter in Mitsubishi motoring.

There is a strange thing that happens in the car industry.

Most manufacturers follow the same cycle: launch, facelift, enlarge the touchscreen 14mm, call it “completely reimagined”, then replace it.

Mitsubishi has traditionally taken a different approach. When they hit the nail on the head, they stand back and say: “Yep. That’ll do it” but then continue making it for approximately the lifespan of a Labrador.

From the Original Mitsubishi ASX to the New Electric ASX VR-e

For example, the Mitsubishi ASX debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. That’s over 16 years ago. For context:

• Lady Gaga wore that meat dress
• Instagram launched.
• Apple released the first iPad.
• Some of our younger staff were still learning to tie their shoelaces.

Yet despite the 16-years on the market, Kiwi buyers kept buying it.

Why? Because it stayed affordable, practical, uncomplicated and, most importantly, ridiculously reliable.

In saying that, even I have to admit that after 16 years, it might finally be time to move things along. Fortunately for me, Mitsubishi also agrees, and the timing couldn’t be better.

Why Mitsubishi’s New SUV Line-up Matters in New Zealand

Why? Because China is coming. Actually, scratch that. China has arrived.

It seems like every few months there’s the release of another badge, SUV, EV, enormous touchscreen and model name that sounds like a smartphone.

Some are genuinely impressive, and pretending otherwise would be silly.

There’s no question that they’ve brought technology, equipment and aggressive pricing, which is now forcing established manufacturers (like Mitsubishi) to actively respond.

Because buying a vehicle isn’t quite the same as buying a television, as most cars are a medium long term investment. Therefore, it’s important that people can trust what they’ve purchased, and know they can rely on any support they may need in the future.

Why’s this important? Because for most buyers, it’s good to know:

• Who will stand behind the vehicle in five years?
• Where will it be serviced, and where are the parts?
• What’s the warranty support like when something goes wrong?
• Will the brand still be around in 5 years?

And this is where tried, true and trustworthy manufacturers come into their own.

Although nobody can predict the future, I expect some of the newer industry manufacturers will undoubtedly become major players in the car world.

But will they have the trust of the people, and be able to stand the test of time?

When you’re spending upwards of $40,000, there’s real value in a brand with history, infrastructure and a substantial dealer network.

Mitsubishi Reliability, Heritage and Nationwide Support

Enter Mitsubishi into the chat, with an interesting card to play.

Mitsubishi has history. Even though for some people, Mitsubishi is simply the badge on the front of an Outlander or Triton, for others, the name means considerably more.

Mention Evo 6.5 Tommi Mäkinen Edition to a certain generation of car enthusiast and watch their eyes light up. Mention Pajero and half the country seems to have a story about one. Then there were the Galant VR-4, GTO, Legnum, Lancer Evolution dynasty, and Mitsubishi’s deep four-wheel drive and rallying history.

That’s all pedigree.

Pedigree alone won’t sell a car in 2026, but paired with a nationwide dealer and service network, it certainly matters.

New Mitsubishi ASX VR-e: A Fully Electric SUV

Which brings me back to the new ASX VR-e – and here’s where it gets amusing.

Remember the first iPad arriving alongside the original ASX back in 2010?

Sixteen years later, Mitsubishi has partnered with Foxtron, part of Foxconn, which is the group best known for making Apple devices. They did this specifically to create the electric ASX VR-e, which now carries DNA from the same company that helped build the devices that took over our lives. You couldn’t script it better.

Then Mitsubishi brought in Pininfarina … Yes, that Pininfarina, The Italian design company that has designed some of the world’s best-looking cars, which probably explains why it looks so good.

But there’s more to it, and this isn’t simply Mitsubishi sticking its badge on something.

The ASX VR-e shows Mitsubishi recognising how quickly the industry is changing, and more specifically, that it doesn’t have to do everything itself.

Partnering with EV and technology specialists, and then adding in world class design, is pretty smart.

Add Mitsubishi’s engineering, market knowledge, badge, dealer network and local suspension tuning, and this is more than a shipping container with three diamonds stuck to the front.

This is why I’m excited.

New Pajero, Outlander Sport HEV and ASX VR-e

Heritage matters, and with the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport HEV hybrid, fully electric Mitsubishi ASX VR-e and next generation Mitsubishi Pajero on the horizon, Mitsubishi suddenly has fresh metal arriving at exactly the right time.

That’s exciting for our dealership, our sales team and, most importantly, loyal Mitsubishi customers waiting to see what is around the corner.

If the ASX VR-e shows where Mitsubishi is heading, I’m keen to see what comes next. After 16 years, we’ve earned it.

Register Your Interest in the New Mitsubishi SUV Range

Morrison Mitsubishi is now taking expressions of interest for the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport HEV hybrid, fully electric ASX VR-e and next-generation Pajero in New Zealand.

Register your interest today to receive release updates, New Zealand pricing and test-drive information: explore the new Mitsubishi Pajero, Outlander Sport HEV and ASX VR-e.