Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vs KIA Picanto Panel Van

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.

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
VS
KIA Picanto Panel Van in South Africa

KIA Picanto Panel Van

1.0 LS Panel Van Auto Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 269,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 49 kW 🔧 94 Nm ⛽ 16.4 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vs KIA Picanto Panel Van: the short answer

Pajero Sport has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Picanto Panel Van remains close.

Picanto Panel Van starts ZAR 539,995 cheaper Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990 · Picanto Panel Van from ZAR 249,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Pajero Sport Picanto Panel Van
Maximum Power Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm Picanto Panel Van49 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm Picanto Panel Van94 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Engine Size Pajero Sport2442 cc Picanto Panel Van998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Pajero Sport12.3 km/l Picanto Panel Van16.4 km/l
Ground Clearance Pajero Sport218 mm Picanto Panel Van155 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

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

Picanto Panel Van

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

Which One's Right for You?

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

Picanto Panel Van

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Pajero Sport Picanto Panel Van
Model Introduced Year 2017 2018
Generation Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift Based on third-generation JA Picanto platform; commercial derivative
Facelift History South African facelift launched in May 2025. Updated with third-generation Picanto platform in 2021
Facelift Launched Since Current specification 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV Van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV Van
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Van
Dealer Stock Note - Mid grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note - Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl
Tare Mass Kg - 950 kg
Spec Pajero Sport Picanto Panel Van
Length 4825 mm 3595 mm
Width 1815 mm 1595 mm
Height 1805 mm 1480 mm
Wheelbase 2800 mm 2400 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 218 mm 155 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 190 mm 151 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 68 l 35 l
Boot/Cargo Space 193 l 620 l
Kerb Weight 2080 kg 950 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2775 kg 1400 kg
Payload Capacity 695 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity 2850 kg 0 kg
Seating Capacity 7 seats 2 seats
Number of Rows 3 rows 1 rows
Doors 5 doors 3 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.6 m 4.8 m
Front Headroom 1022 mm 970 mm
Rear Headroom 957 mm Not Applicable
Front Legroom 1067 mm 1040 mm
Rear Legroom 880 mm Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This Pajero Sport and Picanto Panel Van 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: Pajero Sport 65 vs Picanto Panel Van 22.

Efficiency index: Pajero Sport 49 vs Picanto Panel Van 63.

Safety-equipment index: Pajero Sport 72 vs Picanto Panel Van 68.

Practicality index: Pajero Sport 71 vs Picanto Panel Van 59.

Ownership-cover index: Pajero Sport not separately scored vs Picanto Panel Van 77.

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 10 points

Pajero Sport has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Picanto Panel Van remains close.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 10 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 10 points
55
#2

Picanto Panel Van

92% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Ownership 77 Check Performance 22
Performance 22
Efficiency 63
Safety 68
Practicality 59
Ownership 77
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Pajero Sport +43 Efficiency Picanto Panel Van +14 Safety Pajero Sport +4 Practicality Pajero Sport +12

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

Picanto Panel Van

Performance 22/100
Efficiency 63/100
Safety 68/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 77/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 55 pts for Picanto Panel Van

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

Pajero Sport vs Picanto Panel Van 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.