Both the Mitsubishi Pajero and Holden Jackaroo have always been competing for the same market and it could be said that while both products may be equally as good as each other, Mitsubishi has leapt ahead with their clever marketing strategies, portraying the Pajero as a more stylish vehicle. Holden on the other hand gives us the impression they feel, 'If the vehicle is good, people will buy it'. Unfortunately there's more to it than that.
Now at a time where medium sized four wheel drives are in vogue and price is dictating the market more than ever, the manufacturers have come up with new marketing strategies to sell their four wheel drives.
Rather than use straight price cuts, we are now seeing the manufacturers load the vehicles with extras, boasting that the equipment is now 'standard'. The aim is to show a minimal increase in the price of the vehicles in the new range, with the addition of all the goodies. Also, by creating a greater range from which to choose, the customer is more likely to find a vehicle to his or her liking, or one that can match the opposition in features or price.
Both Mitsubishi and Holden have recently illustrated this with the release of their new range, in both cases actually revamps of the existing design.
So how does this benefit the consumer?
There are a couple of ways that the new car buyer can gain from this marketing war. Apart from the obvious price advantages gained by the standard addition of central locking or power windows, there is a much greater range from which to choose and more attention is being paid to choice of colour and seating capacity. Both the Jackaroo and Pajero now have a seating capacity of seven in all but their base models in long wheel base variants. This gives them a distinct advantage over the Jeep that still only offers seating for five.
ON TEST
For our comparo we looked at the Mitsubishi Pajero GLX with the 3.5 litre engine in manual form, priced at $45,960. In our age of technology many new car buyers are opting for electric packs, where central locking and the like, feature. The Pajero we tested was fitted with such a pack as standard and this includes power windows, cruise control and central locking. Air-conditioning however, adds an extra $2000 to the bill bringing the price up to $47,960.
The Holden Jackaroo base model in manual form with the V6 engine is priced at $45,232. This model only has seating for five, so we have used the new SE with central locking, power windows, cruise control and seating for seven which ups the price to $50,366. Air conditioning will also bump this price up again by another $2000.
The basic look of each of these vehicles has not been altered with the new models; Holden have redesigned their dash and instrument control layout so it is more user friendly, while Mitsubishi have made their changes under the bonnet.
MECHANICALLY SPEAKING
While both of these vehicles have been revamped this year, Isuzu have chosen to retain their reliable 3.2 litre V6 engine. This petrol power plant is a 3.2 litre SOHC 24 valve V6 that delivers an impressive 130 kW of power at 5200 rpm and 260 NM of torque at 3750 rpm. The vehicle we tested was fitted with the five speed manual gearbox, but a four speed automatic transmission is also available.
Mitsubishi however has expanded their range of four wheel drives by mating the 3.5 litre V6 that was previously only available in the automatic Exceed, to a five speed manual box. Also available in GLS specification, the 3.5 litre DOHC 24 valve V6 engine boasts an impressive power figure of 153 kW at 5000 rpm and 300Nm of torque at 3000 rpm. That's 23 kW of power and 40Nm of torque, all reached at lower revs, than the powerful Isuzu motor.
DRIVE TRAINS
The Jackaroo retains the normal part-time 4wd system with high and low ratio and a five speed manual box with synchros all round. Free wheeling hubs up front and an LSD down the back is standard fare across the model range.
With the exception of the GL the entire range of Pajeros feature Mitsubishi's unique Super Select 4wd system. This means that the driver can move the transfer lever from 2wd to part time 4wd or full time 4wd without having to stop the vehicle, or manoeuvre hubs - a handy feature if you're driving along patches of icy bitumen road, or changing from gravel back to bitumen and vice versa.
SUSPENSION
Both of these vehicles sport a torsion bar sprung, wishbone located independent front suspension with a live rear axle. The Holden features four locating links on the rear axle where the Pajero features three.
So how does this affect the ride and handling?
On the bitumen the Pajero feels far more stable while still being very nimble due to the responsive power steering which is far lighter than the Jackaroo. I must add however that the Jackaroo has a marginally better turning circle that makes it easier to park in the city.
On gravel roads the Pajero remains the more stable on loose chopped-up corners, especially in constant 4wd (without the centre diff locked), the tail of the Jackaroo wanting to skip around in the loose dirt.
The dampening affect of the Jackaroo's suspension however, and the insulation of the body from the chassis ensures that the ride is quieter than the Pajero and smoother over corrugated roads.
While the IFS on both four wheel drives dictates that these vehicles are much more at home on the bitumen that climbing steep rocky tracks, they are capable of negotiating most four wheel drive tracks. It's only wheel travel and ground clearance that lets them down. And, where the Pajero excels on the gravel roads and bitumen, the off road work is where the Jackaroo shows it's true colours feeling far more sure footed over rocky rutted tracks and with better rear wheel travel and better entry and approach angles.
INTERIOR DESIGN
When you look at the interior space offered by the Jackaroo, it really outperforms most medium sized vehicles, offering cabin space on a par with the bigger Patrols and Cruisers. It does this however, without the large armour.
Features of the SE Jackaroo include power steering, cruise control, central locking, power windows and heated electric side mirrors with a fold-in fold-out function. The Eurovox AM/FM stereo is CD compatible with six speakers and features an automatic aerial which has a height control override.
The Pajero has a stylish interior and certainly isn't lacking in features with a new power pack that includes electric mirrors and windows, central locking and cruise control. The stereo system features four speakers and an electric aerial with a half height adjustment. I found the radio controls which were small, fiddley and difficult to operate, a problem that would be accentuated if you had large hands.
Instrumentation on both vehicles includes, tacho, fuel gauge, low fuel warning light, water temperature gauge and oil pressure meter. The Pajero also has an inclination meter, something I've never had the need to use, but it does look good!
Neither of these vehicles sports a large centre console. The Pajero has only moulded plastic compartments, while the Jackaroo has a small console with two cup holders and a grab handle - a feature I've always appreciated when travelling in the passenger seat. The Pajero's 'panic rail' is located on the dash.
Seating in the Holden is trimmed with a deep charcoal coloured moquette velour fabric with reclining bucket seats in the front, comfortable 60/40 split seats in the rear and two further seats in the cargo area. The Jackaroo boasts comfortable seating for seven. I found the front seats very comfortable and the driving position very commanding - the closest thing I've found to the Range Rover's seating position. There is plenty of room in the front with height and thigh angle adjustment, arm rests and the popular seatbelt shoulder adjustment which the Mitsubishi also has. The rear seats will house three adults with plenty of leg and shoulder room, while the third row would seat an adult they are more than adequate for a couple of teenagers.
Likewise the Pajero features a new stylish moquette velour on the seven seats, with adjustable lumbar support on the front bucket seats. These seats are comfortable and offer good support with user friendly controls but I felt as if I was sitting down in them, rather than on them - another feature that adds to the car-like feel to the vehicle. The second row of seats incorporates arm rests but doesn't house three adults comfortably while the third row is better suited for children or teenagers.
BEHIND THE WHEEL
Even with the new changes to both models, this comparison reflects views I had when I first compared these two vehicles in 1992. The Pajero is definitely more car-like with a quieter engine, smooth gear selection and lower seating position.
The Jackaroo's more commanding driving position is perfect for four wheel driving, but this may not be too appealing to the first time four wheel drive buyer who is used to sitting in a Commodore. I'm sure that the Pajero's car-like characteristics have had a huge influence on their popularity.
I've always been a fan of the Isuzu engine, for its reliability and power but when it is put up against the Pajero's 3.5 litre it is noticeably noisier and less powerful, especially at the lower end of the scale.
The Jackaroo is actually faster when overtaking at mid-range speeds, but outside the 60 - 80 kilometre speeds, the Pajero easily outperforms the Isuzu.
Apart from the difference in the power of the engines - this is in part due to the fact that the gear ratio spread in the Pajero, is better suited to the engine's characteristics - whereas the Jackaroo lacks an even spread.
The lack of power and torque in the lower range of the Jackaroo meant more gear changes were necessary in the bush. This was also noticeable in the performance tests where the Pajero took off much quicker from a standing start and completing the O - 100 km run in 11.3 seconds as opposed to the Jackaroo's time of 12.5.
The tall clutch operation has always been difficult to get used to in the Jackaroo, and I found myself again stalling the vehicle regularly. Mind you this is one of the idiosyncrasies of a vehicle that you soon warm to once you're driving it every day.
When we headed bush, I found while on steep inclines, the engine braking on the Pajero wasn't too good, and the vehicle tended to run away, even on a slight slope. The lack of wheel travel was also noticeable in the Pajero when we were tackling uneven, rutted tracks, the Jackaroo being more sure-footed with better engine braking.
In the fuel stakes, the lighter Pajero came out best with an average fuel consumption of 17 litres for 125 km compared the Jackaroo's 20 litres for 123 kilometres. While it may not look like much over 100 kilometres, try a 10,000 kilometre trek into the outback and the fuel costs would be quite different.
THE FINAL WORD
Comparing vehicles is never an easy task for us, as there are many things to consider including personal preferences and 'pet hates'. I would have to say however, that these two vehicles are very similar in most categories, making it very difficult to determine a 'winner' as such.
I have always been a fan of the Jackaroo, and continue to be impressed by it's off road ability, but that is not what most new car buyers are looking for in a four wheel drive these days. I think we will continue to see more Pajero's on the road because Mitsubishi is offering a capable, stylish vehicle, with good onroad manners and performance that is marketed well. With their abundant range of vehicles now available, if the model we tested isn't to your liking, you've got another 13 to choose from!
Reprinted with thanks to 4X4 Australia magazine - November 1995.
Copyright © 1996 Jackaroo Club, Victorian Branch