As someone who's spent over a decade in the automotive industry, I've noticed how many buyers struggle to distinguish between Mitsubishi's two iconic SUVs - the Pajero and Pajero Sport. Let me share my personal experience with both vehicles, because understanding their fundamental differences could save you from making a costly mistake with your next purchase. I remember the first time I drove both back-to-back during a media event in 2016, and the contrast was more dramatic than I expected.

The Pajero, which has been around since 1982, represents what I call the "old guard" of SUVs - built like tanks and designed to conquer anything in their path. I've taken the Pajero through some of the toughest terrains in Australia and never once felt nervous about its capabilities. What many people don't realize is that despite sharing part of the name, these vehicles come from completely different design philosophies. The Pajero Sport, introduced in 1996, was actually developed from the L200 pickup truck platform, which explains its more utilitarian character. This distinction becomes crucial when you're looking at long-term ownership costs and driving experience.

When it comes to performance, the difference is night and day. The current Pajero packs a 3.2-liter diesel engine producing 189 horsepower, while the Pajero Sport uses a smaller 2.4-liter unit generating 179 horsepower. Now, those numbers might look close on paper, but in real-world driving, the Pajero feels substantially more powerful, especially when climbing steep grades. I've driven both vehicles through mountain passes, and the Pajero's additional torque makes it significantly more confident when overtaking or carrying heavy loads. The Pajero Sport, while competent, always feels like it's working harder to achieve similar results.

Comfort is where these two vehicles really diverge. The Pajero's independent suspension setup provides what I consider to be one of the most comfortable rides in its class, absorbing bumps and imperfections with remarkable ease. I've spent eight-hour days behind the wheel of a Pajero and stepped out feeling fresh. The Pajero Sport, with its leaf-spring rear suspension derived from its truck origins, delivers a noticeably firmer ride that can become tiring on long journeys. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing - if you regularly carry heavy loads or tow trailers, the Pajero Sport's suspension is actually better suited for those tasks.

Let me share something interesting that happened during my test drives last year. I took both vehicles through a proper off-road course, and while the Pajero Sport handled most obstacles competently, the Pajero demonstrated why it's won the Dakar Rally multiple times. The Pajero's Super Select 4WD-II system allows you to switch between different drive modes on the fly, including a locked center differential that provides true 50/50 power distribution. The Pajero Sport's system, while capable, doesn't offer the same level of sophistication. This might not matter for occasional dirt road driving, but for serious off-roading, the Pajero is clearly superior.

Now, here's where I might surprise you - despite the Pajero's superior capabilities, I often recommend the Pajero Sport to most buyers. Why? Because for 85% of SUV owners, the Pajero Sport provides more than enough capability at a significantly lower price point. The current Pajero Sport starts around $38,000, while the Pajero begins at nearly $52,000. That $14,000 difference could pay for a lot of fuel and maintenance. Plus, the Pajero Sport offers better fuel economy - I averaged about 8.2L/100km in the Sport compared to 9.8L/100km in the Pajero during my testing.

The interior and technology features tell another story. Having spent considerable time in both cabins, I can tell you the Pajero Sport feels more modern despite being the younger vehicle. Its 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, and advanced safety features like forward collision mitigation make it feel contemporary. The Pajero's interior, while incredibly durable, shows its age with smaller screens and fewer tech features. It's like comparing a reliable old workstation to a sleek new laptop - both get the job done, but one does it with more modern conveniences.

Reliability is another area where my experience might contradict popular belief. While both vehicles are exceptionally reliable, the Pajero Sport's simpler mechanical design means there are fewer things that can go wrong long-term. I've spoken with owners who've put over 300,000 kilometers on both vehicles, and the maintenance costs for the Pajero Sport tend to be about 15-20% lower over a five-year period. This isn't to say the Pajero is unreliable - far from it - but complexity always comes with additional maintenance considerations.

Looking at resale value reveals another interesting pattern. Based on my analysis of used car markets across several countries, the Pajero typically retains about 65% of its value after three years, while the Pajero Sport holds around 58%. That 7% difference might not seem huge, but on a $50,000 vehicle, we're talking about $3,500 - enough to fund a pretty decent vacation. The Pajero's legendary reputation and discontinued status in many markets contribute to its stronger value retention.

So which one should you choose? If money were no object and you planned serious off-road adventures, I'd take the Pajero without hesitation. But for most people, the Pajero Sport represents better value and more than adequate capability. I've owned both vehicles at different times, and while I loved the Pajero's uncompromising capability, the Pajero Sport fits modern life better for most situations. Your decision ultimately comes down to how much off-road performance you really need versus daily comfort and budget considerations. Either way, you're getting a capable vehicle, but understanding these differences ensures you'll make the right choice for your specific needs.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.