Suzuki Eeco vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Suzuki Eeco in South Africa

Suzuki Eeco

1.2 Passenger Van MT Petrol 5-Speed Manual Current
ZAR 219,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 103 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
VS
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Eeco vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

Pajero Sport holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Eeco.

Eeco starts ZAR 593,090 cheaper Eeco from ZAR 196,900 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Eeco Pajero Sport
Maximum Power Eeco61 kW @ 6000 rpm Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque Eeco103 Nm @ 3000 rpm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size Eeco1197 cc Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Eeco16.9 km/l Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance Eeco170 mm Pajero Sport218 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Eeco

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

Pajero Sport

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Eeco

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Eeco Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 2017 2017
Generation Second-generation Eeco on dedicated commercial platform with purpose-built high-roof body; G12B engine consistent across the Eeco's SA lifespan; commercial application specific, not shared with passenger vehicle range Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History Second-generation Eeco in SA since 2017; minor exterior and interior updates in 2021; specification has remained stable — the buyer segment does not require frequent feature updates South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since 2021 Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Van SUV
Color Note Solid White, Metallic Silver -
Dealer Stock Note Mid grade in the South Africa lineup -
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Van Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Tare Mass Kg 905 kg -
Vehicle Type Van Passenger vehicle
Spec Eeco Pajero Sport
Length 3675 mm 4825 mm
Width 1475 mm 1815 mm
Height 1700 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2350 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 170 mm 218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 35 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 120 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 905 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1280 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity 390 kg 695 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 3 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 4.5 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1020 mm 1022 mm
Rear Headroom 1000 mm 957 mm
Front Legroom 930 mm 1067 mm
Rear Legroom 750 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Eeco and Pajero Sport comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Eeco 24 vs Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: Eeco 65 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: Eeco 36 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: Eeco 54 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: Eeco 60 vs Pajero Sport not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Pajero Sport leads by 19 points

Pajero Sport holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Eeco.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 19 points
Data 83% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Leads by 19 points
46
#2

Eeco

85% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 65 Check Performance 24
Performance 24
Efficiency 65
Safety 36
Practicality 54
Ownership 60
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Pajero Sport +41 Efficiency Eeco +16 Safety Pajero Sport +36 Practicality Pajero Sport +17

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

Eeco

Performance 24/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 36/100
Practicality 54/100
Ownership 60/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 46 pts for Eeco

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Pajero Sport leads. However, Eeco may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Eeco vs Pajero Sport questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.