The Mitsubishi Destinator seems to have the perfect set of skills for the South African market, combining a turbocharged engine, big space and high equipment levels, all at an attractive price. But what’s it like in the real world?
We like: Powertrain offers a great blend of performance and economy; generous specification levels; huge practicality.
We don’t like: Off-road modes are gimmicks; could do with a larger fuel tank.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T Exceed
- Price: R569 990
- Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol
- Transmission: CVT
- Power/Torque: 120 kW/250 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 8.88 seconds (tested)
- Fuel consumption: 7.2 L/100 km (claimed)
- Range: 625 km (claimed)
- Luggage capacity: 470 litres (claimed)
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Where does the Mitsubishi Destinator fit in?
The Mitsubishi Destinator is a 7-seater value-for-money SUV that was launched in South Africa in a 2-model lineup. Mitsubishi SA’s sales have lagged over the past few years and on the back of new product (and more to come), the Japanese brand hopes to claim a larger slice of the popular practical SUV segment.
Unveiled first in Indonesia (which is where it’s assembled) in July 2025, the Destinator is unmistakably Mitsubishi with its distinct design. There are 2 trim levels sharing the same powertrain. Pricing is enticing, starting from under R500 000. It sounds too good to be true…
When it comes to rivals, the list of well-equipped 7-seater options at a competitive price is quite short, despite the influx of newcomer brands from the Far East. The Chery Tiggo 8 Pro 290 LS and Changan CS75 Pro fly those flags at R499 900 and R459 900, respectively.
Compare the Destinator to the Chery Tiggo and the Changan CS75 using the Comparison Tool
From Korea come the Kia Carens and Hyundai Alcazar, the former exclusively available in diesel power, which may appeal to those who drive longer distances. Finally, you could also look at a Mahindra XUV700.
Compare the Destinator to the Kia Carens and Hyundai Alcazar using the Comparison Tool
How the Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T Exceed fares in terms of…
Design & Packaging
The name doesn’t roll off the tongue that easily, but the design is easy on the eye. Combining a modern look with 7-seater practicality is not the easiest, but the design studio has done a great job.
While not marketed as an off-roader, Mitsubishi has not turned its back completely on its adventure heritage and has given the Destinator a useful 214 mm of ground clearance, meaning gravel roads will be crushed with confidence.
In terms of packaging, photographs don’t convey the Destinator’s dimensions. This is not a small vehicle by any stretch, measuring almost 4.7 metres long and boasting a practicality-focused wheelbase of 2.8 metres.
It’s all about the seating arrangements, however, and the 2nd row can split in a 40:20:40 fashion while the 3rd row boasts 50:50-folding pews. Moving the seats around is intuitive and easy to do. We’re also happy to report that with all 3 rows deployed, there’s still a bit of boot space available.
The 2 trim levels are GLS and, as tested here, the flagship Exceed. The GLS covers the basics with 18-inch wheels, fabric trim, a reverse camera, 8-inch infotainment screen, rear parking sensors, 6 airbags and keyless entry.
The Exceed adds some exterior visual goodies, leather trim, 12.3-inch infotainment, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof, a powered tailgate, tyre-pressure sensors, upgraded Yamaha audio and some additional safety in the form of blind-spot monitoring, lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert.
In a market obsessed with oversized infotainment screens with integrated functionality, it’s refreshing to drive a vehicle with plenty of switchgear. The array of buttons may be initially daunting, but ergonomically, everything is where you’d expect it to be. Materials used look and feel durable.
For the enthusiasts, Mitsubishi has given the Destinator’s infotainment system some aviation-inspired themes and while a lot of the information displayed is of very little relevance, it’s still fun and nerdy to gawk at the data overload!
Performance & Efficiency
Given its past products were equipped with naturally aspirated petrol engines resulting in lethargic performance, we’re happy to see some forced induction on duty. The 1.5-litre, turbocharged, 4-cylinder petrol engine makes a tidy 120 kW and 250 Nm, and this reaches the front wheels via a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). Generally, these types of transmissions are met with groans and sadness from the petrolhead community, but when you’re wanting a smooth and considered power delivery coupled with efficiency, a CVT is a good place to start.
We’ll commend Mitsubishi, as the 1.5-litre powertrain is impressively smooth and quiet, emitting a CVT drone and groan only when excessive amounts of accelerator travel is used. Drive with a measured approach, ride the momentum and we’d go as far to say that the Destinator is one of the quieter vehicles in its class.
The engine outputs translate into respectable performance and efficiency. While Mitsubishi hasn’t supplied a claimed 0-100 kph time, our testing gear captured 8.88 seconds for the 0-100 kph sprint, which is adequate for a vehicle of this class.
The claimed fuel economy is 7.2 L/100 km, and we managed 8.4 L/100 km with mostly urban driving. It’s worth noting the Destinator has a small 45-litre tank, giving it an estimated range of 625 km.
There are some unconventional driving modes which we found odd considering it’s a front-wheel drive 7-seater. There’s none of the usual sport/eco/normal modes. Oddly, you get a small switch on the gear selector which allows the car to accelerate quicker than usual. What’s more, modes labelled gravel, wet and mud don’t really add to the vehicle’s off-road ability other than loosening the stability control’s shackles and reducing the throttle sensitivity.
Ride, Handling & Comfort
Despite its size and passenger-carrying capacity, the Destinator is surprisingly light, with the licensed kerb weight listed as 1 500 kg. The driving position is best described as commanding, with a great feeling of elevation looking down on the road ahead. That said, we do wish the driver’s seat could drop down a touch lower.
We get the feeling the vehicle’s been set up with a bias towards comfort and on-road refinement. The steering setup is well weighted and reasonably direct for a vehicle in this class. There’s a noticeable lack of vibrations and wind noise, which aids comfort levels on longer drives.
Leave the tar behind and the Destinator continues to impress with its composure and confidence. While it’s marketed as an urban-biased and sensible 7-seater, it’s reassuring to know that, if you decide to venture down those back roads, the vehicle is competent.
Price & After-sales support
The Mitsubishi Destinator is sold with a 5-year/75 000 km service plan and a 5-year/unlimited km warranty. At the time of writing, there are 53 Mitsubishi dealers in South Africa.
| Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T GLS | R489 990 |
| Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T Exceed | R569 990 |
Verdict
The Destinator is a great return to form for the Mitsubishi brand. This is a well thought-out, equipped and packaged family vehicle, at a market-relevant price. While it seems that the Far Eastern brands are selling in great numbers based on affordability alone, it’s great to see one of the legacy car brands come in at a competitive price and deliver exceptional value.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What engine powers the Mitsubishi Destinator in South Africa?
How much does the Mitsubishi Destinator cost in South Africa?
- Destinator 1.5T GLS CVT: Priced from R489 990
- Destinator 1.5T Exceed CVT: Priced from R569 990
