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Mitsubishi Pajero vs Subaru Forester: which should you buy?

Specs, prices, running costs and Kenyan-road suitability compared — Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D vs Subaru Forester 2.0 (SJ).

The short answer

The Mitsubishi Pajero is more powerful and stronger on hills and when loaded, copes better with bumps and murram, and has more seats. The Subaru Forester is cheaper to buy and cheaper to fuel.

Side by side

Mitsubishi Pajero
Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2 DI-D		Subaru Forester
Subaru Forester 2.0 (SJ)
Typical priceKES 3M–5MKES 1.9M–2.9M
Power197 hp146 hp
Torque441 Nm196 Nm
Engine3.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel2.0L Boxer-4
Fuel economy10 km/L12.5 km/L
Fuel per month*KES 34,200KES 27,200
Ground clearance235 mm220 mm
Drivetrain4WDAWD
GearboxAutomaticCVT
Seats75
Parts costMediumMedium
Reliability estimate4.3/54.3/5

*1,500 km a month at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026); diesel KES 227.76/L. Typical factory figures for the most common version of each.

Choose the Pajero if…

  • Off-road and upcountry driving
  • Large families
  • Value compared to a Prado
  • Off-road capableLow-range 4WD and 235 mm of ground clearance for rough tracks, game drives and flooded roads.
  • Hill & load ready441 Nm of torque climbs Mai Mahiu with a full load without strain.
  • 7 seatsRoom for 7 — school runs, family trips and upcountry visits.
  • Parts easy to findMitsubishi spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.
  • Easy overtaking197 hp makes overtaking lorries on the Nairobi–Nakuru highway quick and safe.

Choose the Forester if…

  • Rainy-season and murram driving
  • Drivers who enjoy driving
  • Families wanting AWD on a mid budget
  • Murram-ready220 mm of ground clearance handles murram, potholes and tall estate bumps.
  • Parts easy to findSubaru spares are easy to find in Nairobi and major towns, and most mechanics know them.

Frequently asked questions

Mitsubishi Pajero or Subaru Forester — which is better?

The Mitsubishi Pajero is more powerful and stronger on hills and when loaded, copes better with bumps and murram, and has more seats. The Subaru Forester is cheaper to buy and cheaper to fuel. Choose the Pajero for: off-road and upcountry driving, large families, value compared to a Prado. Choose the Forester for: rainy-season and murram driving, drivers who enjoy driving, families wanting AWD on a mid budget.

Which is more fuel efficient, the Pajero or the Forester?

The 3.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel Mitsubishi Pajero returns about 10 km/L (≈ KES 34,200/month for 1,500 km) and the 2.0L Boxer-4 Subaru Forester about 12.5 km/L (≈ KES 27,200/month), at KES 226.96 per litre of petrol (EPRA Nairobi, 15 Oct – 14 Nov 2026).

Which is better for Kenyan roads?

The Pajero has 235 mm of ground clearance (4WD); the Forester has 220 mm (AWD). The Pajero copes better with tall bumps, potholes and murram.

Which is cheaper to buy and maintain?

Typical prices: Mitsubishi Pajero KES 3M–5M, Subaru Forester KES 1.9M–3.4M. Parts: Pajero Medium cost — Parts available; fewer specialists than Toyota. Forester Medium cost — Parts are widely available in Nairobi; specialist Subaru garages are common.

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