CUPRA Ateca vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 4 Aug 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$49,888RRP
- with the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport's standard kit: $49,888 (nothing to add)
$51,540RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the CUPRA Ateca & Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
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Price Breakdown
The CUPRA Ateca starts from $49,888 before on-road costs, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport opens at $51,540. That makes the CUPRA Ateca the more affordable entry point by $1,652.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $54,877 and $56,694 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the CUPRA Ateca by roughly $1,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the CUPRA Ateca. We hold no ANCAP data for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
CUPRA Ateca
- REC-006608 · published 12 May 2026Electric power steering software fault can disable assistanceYear range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
- REC-005634 · published 20 Mar 2023The product was sold without the warning information that is required for products containing button/coin batteries.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-001035 · published 5 Dec 2016Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has identified that insufficient anti corrosion coating was applied to the end cap on the outer tube of the tailgate gas springs, and this may result in corrosion.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2016
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The CUPRA Ateca features a 9.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The CUPRA Ateca stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the CUPRA Ateca gets leather-appointed upholstery while the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the CUPRA Ateca and 1-zone in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.
Drivetrain
The CUPRA Ateca uses a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol producing 140kW and 320Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport responds with a Diesel making 133kW and 430Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 11.5 seconds.
The CUPRA Ateca has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 133kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the CUPRA Ateca is 4.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The CUPRA Ateca measures 4,381mm long on a 2,630mm wheelbase, 459mm shorter than the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport at 4,840mm (2,800mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 485L in the CUPRA Ateca and 673L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, giving the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport a 188L advantage.
For towing, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport leads with a 3,100kg braked capacity vs 1,900kg. That 1,200kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m to 11.2m
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,024/year for the CUPRA Ateca and $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. That is a $256 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Ateca.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Ateca) vs 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the CUPRA Ateca if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer CUPRA's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, need stronger towing, or prefer Mitsubishi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (70 vs 70). The CUPRA Ateca and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The CUPRA Ateca will save you roughly $256 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has a clear edge. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport adds peace of mind with a longer 10-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, CUPRA Ateca and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport?
The CUPRA Ateca is the cheapest at $49,888 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport by $1,652.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The CUPRA Ateca uses the least fuel at 7.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
We hold no ANCAP data for CUPRA Ateca and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the largest boot at 673L with the seats up (1,500L with the seats folded).
Which can tow the most?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,100kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the longest warranty at 10 years / 200k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The CUPRA Ateca makes the most power at 140kW. The CUPRA Ateca is quickest to 100km/h in 7.2s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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