Faults:

The EGR valve and intake manifold get dirty easily, which reduces power.

Power loss from 2,500 or 3,000 rpm due to clogged filters.

Cold start problems.

Turbocharger wear resulting from failure to adhere to proper oil change intervals or to use the lubricant specified for the vehicle.

Occasional clutch squeal (resolves on its own).

General Comments:

The Pajero is a rugged 4x4, devoid of many luxuries and featuring a relatively Spartan (though well-equipped) interior, but it succeeds admirably in its objective: delivering a durable and reliable vehicle.

It features all the comfort elements of a luxury sedan: heated, power-adjustable seats, three-zone climate control, parking sensors, cruise control, a high-end Rockford audio system, and a comprehensive onboard computer that includes everything from an altimeter to a barometer.

The engine is reliable and relatively economical, though its 190 hp never allows it to reach the speeds needed to make it agile in the city or ideal for long highway trips. It is effective, however, as you would expect from an off-roader, on dirt roads and in the snow. In that regard, it has power to spare, and that is what the vehicle was built for.

What fascinates me is the Pajero's simplicity; in this regard, the Pajero's true mechanical gem is its 4x4 system. In an era where electronic controls decide when each wheel engages, the Pajero retains mechanical levers that leave the decision in the driver's hands. The selector offers four positions: rear-wheel drive, high-range four-wheel drive, low-range four-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive with a rear differential lock. It is a system so efficient, simple, and robust that it clearly demonstrates that electronics do not always provide the best solution for the needs of modern automobiles.

When the terrain becomes uneven, the four-wheel-drive system really shines. The manual rear differential lock is extremely useful when dropping into a ditch or if a rear wheel ends up in the air; it prevents torque from being lost through the suspended wheel and directs all the driving force to the tires that have firm contact with the ground.

It is certainly not a watered-down SUV designed for moms picking up their kids from school. It is a highly efficient and rugged off-road vehicle, a tough machine among the toughest. Having spent time with it, it was easy to understand why this vehicle is unbeatable in off-road tests.