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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
L4
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Pajero Sport
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
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Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year
2026
2017
Generation
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Current specification
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
Passenger vehicle
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Length
4406 mm
4825 mm
Width
1820 mm
1815 mm
Height
1635 mm
1805 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
68 l
Boot/Cargo Space
458 l
193 l
Kerb Weight
1346 kg
2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1844 kg
2775 kg
Payload Capacity
498 kg
695 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
2850 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.275 m
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1005 mm
1022 mm
Rear Headroom
975 mm
957 mm
Front Legroom
1040 mm
1067 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
880 mm
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
2.4-litre Intercooled Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
4N15
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
2442 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Common Rail Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
15.5:1
Bore
77.0 mm
86 mm
Stroke
80.5 mm
105.1 mm
Maximum Power
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
4WD
Transmission
6-Speed DCT
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
185 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.2 sec
11.8 sec
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
18.3 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80.2 kW/tonne
63.9 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
167.2 Nm/tonne
206.7 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Gearbox
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-engine, selectable four-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Active Limited Slip Differential (brake control)
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Super Select 4WD-II
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Rear differential lock
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
4.13:1
3.692
Number of Gears
6
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Dual clutch
Torque converter
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
FWD
4WD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Selectable electronically
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Yes
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Rotary selector
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
2.566
Low Range
Not Applicable
Yes
Axle Layout
4x2
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Yes
Transmission Speeds
6
8
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.3 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
9.9 km/l
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
14.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
68 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6B
Euro 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Standard
No
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
51
68
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
84
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
868 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
781 km
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Airbags
6
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
No
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Standard
No
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Yes
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes - front seats
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Yes
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
No
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
No
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
No
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
No
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Yes
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
No
Auto Highbeam
Standard
No
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
No
Park Assist
No
No
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
No
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
No
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Seat Material
Faux leather
Leather
Heated Seats
No
No
Ventilated Seats
Standard
No
Ambient Lighting
Yes
No
Steering Wheel Material
Faux leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power
Power adjustable
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Manual adjustable
Seat Trim
Faux leather
Leather-appointed
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Climate Control
Climate control
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
Power Windows
Front and rear
Front and rear
Keyless Entry
Standard
Yes
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
No
Sunroof
Standard
Yes
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
AC Type
Climate control
Dual-zone automatic with rear air conditioning
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Infotainment System
13.2-inch
Smartphone-link Display Audio
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Yes
Android Auto
Standard
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch segment display
Colour multi-information display
USB Ports
2
Front and rear
Infotainment Screen
13.2-inch
8-inch
Touchscreen
13.2-inch
8-inch
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
LED Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Yes
Fog Lamps
Rear
Yes
Roof Rails
Standard
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
White Diamond, Graphite Grey Metallic, Sterling Silver Metallic, Jet Black Mica
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
No
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Approach Angle
20.0 deg
30 deg
Departure Angle
28.0 deg
24.2 deg
Wading Depth
400 mm
700 mm
Terrain Modes
No
Gravel, Mud/Snow, Sand, Rock
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Rear differential lock
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Super Select 4WD-II
Breakover Angle
18.5 deg
23.1 deg
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
265/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Full-size alloy
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
18-inch alloy
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electric parking brake
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
Double wishbone with coil spring
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Three-link rigid axle with coil spring
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
CO2 Emissions
159 g/km
214 g/km
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km
5 years / 90,000 km; 10,000 km intervals
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Ownership Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
New vehicle sold through Mitsubishi Motors South Africa
Price Zar
419900 ZAR
904990 ZAR
Pricing Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Official South African recommended retail price
Starting Price
419900
904990
Starting Price Zar
419900
904990
Spec
L4
Pajero Sport
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
3 years / 100,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This L4 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: L4 47 vs Pajero Sport 65.
Efficiency index: L4 56 vs Pajero Sport 49.
Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs Pajero Sport 72.
Practicality index: L4 59 vs Pajero Sport 71.
Ownership-cover index: L4 not separately scored 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.
Model imagery
L4 and Pajero Sport image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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 1 points
L4 and Pajero Sport are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
Pajero Sport +18
Efficiency
L4 +7
Safety
L4 +20
Practicality
Pajero Sport +12
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Pajero Sport
Performance
65/100
Efficiency
49/100
Safety
72/100
Practicality
71/100
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMitsubishi Pajero Sport
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 64 pts for L4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Pajero Sport leads. However, L4 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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