Mitsubishi Destinator Review: Road trips just got more interesting

By: Dylan Naidoo

For a while now, Mitsubishi has not had a very large presence in South Africa. Many people remember Mitsubishi for their Lancer sedans and especially their Triton bakkie, which was especially popular amongst the commercial crowd. The car manufacturer is quite well-known for their wide range of SUV options, from the Pajero facing the tough terrains of the Dakar Rally, to the Outlander, a surprisingly capable 7-seater family SUV. With this in mind, I had very high hopes when I first saw the Mitsubishi Destinator. Our Mitsubishi Destinator model for review was the Exceed variant; the highest trim.

Engineering and Technology

The Mitsubishi Destinator is a dynamic, 7-seater SUV featuring a 1.5L intercooled, turbocharged engine outputting 120kW of power at 250Nm or torque. This engine is paired with an automatic CVT transmission. A notable technology that is included is Mitsubishi’s Active Yaw Control (AYC), a signature feature of many Mitsubishi vehicles. The Destinator has quite a high ground clearance of 214mm. According to CARMag, fuel consumption is rated at 7.3L/100km paired with its 45L fuel tank, which is very impressive considering the vehicle's size and capabilities. Overall, ride quality was very decent, and the SUV gave an ample amount of power, delivering a well-rounded driving experience. Shifting was smooth and the suspension was top-notch.

Technology-wise, the Destinator is packed with the usual technologies at this price point. Namely, a large infotainment screen, keyless entry, a large sunroof, a plethora of different USB slots, a rearview camera with parking sensors all-round and all of this is paired with an excellent Yamaha-tuned audio system for the Exceed variant.

The SUV features a slew of various different driving options, from gravel to wet, which give drivers confidence in taking this SUV on more demanding terrains.

Design

My first impression of the Destinator was pretty simple, “wow that is huge”, and it truly is. Mitsubishi’s aggressive “dynamic shield” design paired with this tall SUV gave it a very commanding stance, making it truly a SUV that sticks out on the road. The tall ground clearance helps this SUV’s case as well, and really, the Destinator looks like a very capable off-roading vehicle. The SUV features a slew of various different driving options, from gravel to wet, these options which give occupant drivers confidence in taking this SUV on some more demanding terrains.

The design incorporates bright LED daytime running lights and 18inch alloys, further segmenting its rather aggressive, offroading look, and I like it a lot. I feel the design l keeps that Mitsubishi look to it, being a manufacturer well-known for their off-roading prowess.

Interior and Space

The interior design is elegant. We are seeing that modern car design featured in the interior, but the standout was how luxurious the seats looked. The seats are a synthetic leather for the Exceed variant and a fabric for the GLS variant.

The SUV is actually a 7-seater, granted the last rear seats being foldable to accommodate seven passengers. With the rear seats up, the boot capacity is 152L, but with the rears folded, the boot space is at 496L. Spacing inside of the vehicle was very good, and we got a solid amount of both legroom and head room. Topped off with the subtle ambient LED lighting, the Destinator has a fantastic interior.

Pricing & Overall thoughts

According to car.co.za, pricing for the Destinator starts at R489 990 for the GLS trim, and R569 990 for the EXCEED trim. The Mitsubishi Destinator does many things right, from its modern tech, large space for grand families, and the slew of SUV capabilities makes it just a great all-rounder. Even for the base GLS model, I still think that the Destinator offers a great package all round for the right buyer.

Mitsubishi Destinator