A Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution carries a $35,055 benchmark on CLASSIC.com, and four US sales this year landed between $34,000 and $49,997. If you are shopping for a Mitsubishi Pajero for sale, we think the Evolution is the only one worth chasing across an ocean: about 2,500 road cars, built to put a Pajero on the Dakar start line.
Every Pajero ever built is now past the 25-year line or close to it. Below are the numbers, the generations, and what it costs to bring one home.
By the numbers
- Pajero Evolution: built 1997 to 1999, about 2,500 road cars, 3.5L 6G74 MIVEC V6 with a claimed 275 bhp (Wikipedia, read October 26, 2026).
- Market: CLASSIC.com benchmark $35,055. Recent US sales: $49,997 (April 2026, a 1997), $42,000 (May 2026, a 1998), $39,109 (March 2026, a 1997) and $34,000 (September 2026, a 1998). Overseas: EUR 37,500 in the Netherlands (August 2026), AUD 69,500 in Melbourne (February 2026) (CLASSIC.com, October 26, 2026).
- Shipping a US-registered Evolution to its next owner: New Jersey to Rotterdam $1,100, 17-20 days; California to Melbourne $2,250, 33-36 days; California to Fremantle $2,550, 30 days (WCS rates table, October 26, 2026).
- US duty on a Japan-built car over 25 years old: 12.5% combined for entries from July 24, 2026 (CBP).
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution: the one to buy
Mitsubishi built the Evolution from 1997 to 1999 to homologate the Pajero for the Dakar Rally's production-based T2 class. It got the 3.5L 6G74 V6 with MIVEC, a claimed 275 bhp at 6,500 rpm, and the flared bodywork that makes a regular Pajero look shy.
The Pajero won the Dakar 12 times between 1985 and 2007. The Evolution is the road car that carries that record, and with about 2,500 built, it is the only Pajero with a collector market that crosses borders. Sales on CLASSIC.com this year came from the US, the Netherlands and Australia. That is why we would pay up for a documented Evolution before we would buy two ordinary Pajeros.
Regular Pajero generations and the 25-year rule
The Pajero ran from 1982 to 2021 across four generations, sold as the Montero in North America and Spain and the Shogun in the UK. Mitsubishi stopped selling the Montero here in 2006.
- 1st generation: 1982 to 1991
- 2nd generation: 1991 to 1999, including the Evolution
- 3rd generation: 1999 to 2006
- 4th generation: 2006 to 2021
The 25-year rule counts from the month of manufacture, so in October 2026 any Pajero built in October 2001 or earlier qualifies. That covers the first two generations and the early third-generation cars. Our view on those: a right-hand-drive JDM Pajero is a fun daily for the trail, but the left-hand-drive Montero was sold here new, so a regular Pajero only makes sense if you want a specific JDM trim or the novelty of the wheel on the right.
Importing a Pajero from Japan
Most Evolutions and JDM Pajeros come from Japanese dealers and auctions. Our guide to Japan car auction sites covers bidding from the US, and the Japan to USA shipping guide covers ports and container versus RoRo.
A Japan-built car over 25 years old falls outside Section 232 and pays 12.5% combined duty for entries from July 24, 2026, according to CBP, plus the 0.3464% merchandise processing fee (minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86) and the 0.125% harbor maintenance fee on ocean imports. On an Evolution bought at the $35,055 benchmark, that is $4,382 in duty, $121 in MPF and $44 in HMF.
For the freight, get a rate from our Japan import page or the import calculator. The full breakdown is in how much it costs to import a car from Japan.
Selling an Evolution to Europe or Australia
The market runs both ways. Dutch and Australian buyers paid EUR 37,500 and AUD 69,500 for Evolutions this year, so a US owner selling abroad has a real audience. From our warehouses, New Jersey to Rotterdam is $1,100 in 17-20 days and California to Melbourne is $2,250 in 33-36 days. For any other lane, use the export calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution worth?
CLASSIC.com puts the benchmark at $35,055. US sales in 2026 ran from $34,000 to $49,997.
Can I import a Mitsubishi Pajero to the US?
Yes, once it is 25 years old, counted from the month of manufacture. In October 2026 that means any Pajero built in October 2001 or earlier.
How many Pajero Evolutions were made?
About 2,500 road cars, built from 1997 to 1999 to homologate the Pajero for the Dakar Rally.
What is the US import duty on a Mitsubishi Pajero?
A Japan-built Pajero over 25 years old pays 12.5% combined duty for entries from July 24, 2026, plus the 0.3464% MPF and the 0.125% HMF on ocean shipments.
Is the Mitsubishi Montero the same as the Pajero?
Yes. Mitsubishi sold the Pajero as the Montero in North America and Spain and as the Shogun in the UK.
More Japanese Import Guides
- Mitsubishi Evo VI: Values, Specs and How to Import
- Mitsubishi Delica Space Gear Import Guide
- Importing Japanese 4x4s and Off-Road Vehicles
- Rarest Japanese Sports Cars Now Legal to Import
Ready to Bring Home Your Pajero?
We ship door to door, by ocean or air, with our own warehouses in California, Florida and New Jersey covering all of the US for imports and exports. Our own team loads every car and handles every document. An Evolution won at an auction in Japan or one bought from a collector in the Netherlands: start with our Japan import page or get a rate from the calculator below.
It's your dream car. Let's bring her home.
