The Mitsubishi Pajero in Georgia has a reputation: it is the car the mountain villages drive themselves. We rent two very different ones, the full-size Pajero at $80 a day and the small Pajero iO at $45, and guests mix them up every week. Here is what each one is, where it goes, and the facts behind the questions we hear most.
Updated 29 October 2026. Prices and rules checked against our booking system on that date.
Mitsubishi Pajero in Georgia: two cars, two jobs
| Mitsubishi Pajero (2014-2022) | Mitsubishi Pajero iO (2010-2014) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $80 a day | $45 a day |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Fuel use | About 14 l/100 km, petrol | Small petrol engine, about 9 l/100 km |
| Drive | Full 4x4 with low range | Selectable 4x4, short wheelbase |
| Best for | Tusheti, Khevsureti, families with gear | Two people, gravel roads, the cheapest real 4x4 we have |
The same terms as every car: insurance (CDW and TPL) and unlimited mileage included, a $20 service fee per booking, a refundable $200 cash deposit at pickup, drivers aged 22 and over, 15% paid online and the rest at pickup, free cancellation up to 48 hours before. Both get 5% off from 5 days and 10% off from 10 days for pickups until 15 December 2026.
Where to take the big Pajero
- Tusheti. The Abano pass (2,850 m) from Pshaveli to Omalo, four to five hours of dirt road with waterfalls across it. Open roughly June to October. Read Tusheti by 4x4.
- Shatili. Over the Datvisjvari pass (2,676 m), 150 km from Tbilisi and most of a day each way.
- Svaneti. Mestia, the Ushguli gravel road and the Zagari pass to Lentekhi in late summer, if you want a loop back to Kutaisi.
- Kazbegi in deep winter. The Gergeti church road and the Truso valley track, where a short overhang and low range help.
Where the Pajero iO is enough
The iO is a small 4x4, about the size of a Renegade, and the cheapest all-wheel-drive car in the fleet. It is happy on the gravel to Juta, Ushguli in dry weather, David Gareja and the Racha roads. We do not send it to Tusheti, because the Abano pass is a long way from help. For two people who want gravel and a small fuel bill, it is a bargain; for four adults with bags, step up to the Duster.
Mitsubishi Pajero in Georgia: your questions
Which one is in the famous mountain photo?
The full-size Pajero. The photo at the top of this post shows one of ours in Tusheti, on the Omalo side of the Abano pass.
Can the Pajero do Tusheti in one day from Tbilisi?
Yes, but start early. Tbilisi to Pshaveli is 2.5 hours on asphalt, then 4 to 5 hours of dirt road to Omalo. Most guests sleep in Telavi or Pshaveli the night before.
How much fuel does it use?
About 14 litres per 100 km in the full-size petrol Pajero, more on the passes. Fill up in Telavi or Pshaveli; there is no fuel in Tusheti.
Is it automatic?
Yes, both are automatic, like every car in the fleet.
Can I take the Pajero to Armenia?
Ask us first. It needs the $70 border documents and our agreement on the car. For Armenia we usually suggest the Renegade or the CX-3.
Pajero or Prado?
For Tusheti, both work. The Prado adds two seats and a softer ride for $30 more a day. For a couple or a family of four, the Pajero is the better value.
Going to Tusheti or Shatili this season? Send us the dates. We check whether the passes are still open, confirm the Pajero and suggest where to sleep on the way. Message us on WhatsApp (+995 591 89 60 60) and we will plan a custom route with you. We suggest the right car for the roads, pickup and drop-off in different cities, and honest driving times.
So the Mitsubishi Pajero in Georgia means two cars: the big one for Tusheti and Khevsureti at $80 a day, and the small iO for two people on gravel at $45. Book the one that matches the road, and ask us if you are not sure.