Mitsubishi Pajero Sport vs CUPRA Ateca
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.
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
From $51,540
SUV
Diesel
Diesel
133kW
8 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
673L
CUPRA Ateca
From $49,888
SUV
Petrol
4-cyl Turbo Petrol
140kW
7.1 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
485L
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Price Breakdown
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport starts from $51,540 before on-road costs, while the CUPRA Ateca opens at $49,888. 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 $56,694 and $54,877 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the CUPRA Ateca by roughly $1,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport features a 8-inch touchscreen, while the CUPRA Ateca gets a 9.2-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the CUPRA Ateca. The CUPRA Ateca counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport gets cloth upholstery while the CUPRA Ateca offers leather. Climate control is 1-zone in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and 2-zone in the CUPRA Ateca.
Drivetrain
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport uses a Diesel producing 133kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.5 seconds.
The CUPRA Ateca responds with a 4-cyl Turbo Petrol making 140kW and 320Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds.
The CUPRA Ateca has the clear power advantage at 140kW vs 133kW. In the real-world sprint, 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 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport measures 4,840mm long on a 2,800mm wheelbase, 459mm longer than the CUPRA Ateca at 4,381mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 673L in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and 485L in the CUPRA Ateca, 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 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m 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 $2,280/year for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and $2,024/year for the CUPRA Ateca. That is a $256 annual difference in favour of the CUPRA Ateca.
Estimated annual total: $2,280 (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport) vs $2,024 (CUPRA Ateca). The CUPRA Ateca saves you roughly $256 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 10 years / 200,000km (Mitsubishi Pajero Sport) vs 5 years / 999,999km (CUPRA Ateca). The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
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.
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.
The Verdict
The CUPRA Ateca takes 4 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. 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, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and CUPRA Ateca?
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.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — CUPRA Ateca all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport has the largest boot at 673L.
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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