Following its global reveal a few days ago, the Mitsubishi Destinator is now making its launch debut at this year’s Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). First previewed by 2024’s DST Concept, the Destinator is a three-row SUV that will not only be sold in markets in the ASEAN region, but also those in South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East as well as Africa.
In Indonesia where it is going on sale first, the Destinator is offered in three variants, including the base GLS that is priced at 385 million rupiah (about RM100k), the mid-range Exceed at 405 million rupiah (RM105k) and the range-topping Ultimate at 465 million rupiah (RM121k). All three are powered by a 4B40 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine making 163 PS (161 hp or 120 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm, with drive sent to the front wheels via a CVT.
Also standard are all-round ventilated brake discs, a 45-litre fuel tank, front MacPherson struts, a rear torsion beam, Active Yaw Control (AYC) and 18-inch wheels, the last of which are either in a monotone (GLS and Exceed) or two-tone (Ultimate) finish. Five selectable drive modes (Normal, Wet, Gravel, Tarmac and Mud) are available from the Exceed onwards.
In terms of dimensions, the Destinator measures 4,680 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,815 mm. That puts it in the ballpark of the Honda CR-V that is 4,691 mm long, 1,866 mm wide and 1,681 mm tall, although the CR-V’s wheelbase of 2,701 mm is comparably less. Here’s a list of other models – some also with three-row seating – and their dimensions (Indonesia market specifications) if you need further context:
Mitsubishi Xforce
- Length: 4,390 mm
- Width: 1,810 mm
- Height: 1,660 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,650 mm
Mitsubishi Xpander
- Length: 4,595 mm
- Width: 1,750 mm
- Height: 1,730-1,750 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,775 mm
Mitsubishi Xpander Cross
- Length: 4,595 mm
- Width: 1,790 mm
- Height: 1,750 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,775 mm
Toyota Avanza
- Length: 4,395 mm
- Width: 1,730 mm
- Height: 1,665-1,700 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Toyota Kijang Innova
- Length: 4,735 mm
- Width: 1,830 mm
- Height: 1,795 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,750 mm
Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix
- Length: 4,755 mm
- Width: 1,850 mm
- Height: 1,795 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,850 mm
Toyota Rush
- Length: 4,435 mm
- Width: 1,695 mm
- Height: 1,705 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,685 mm
Perodua Aruz
- Length: 4,435 mm
- Width: 1,695 mm
- Height: 1,740 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,685 mm
Mitsubishi also provided information relevant to those who intend to bring their Destinator to face challenging terrain, including a ground clearance of 214 mm (244 mm without the car’s under cover), an approach angle of 21 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.8 degrees, a departure angle of 25.5 degrees and minimum turning radius of 5.4 metres.
As for how the SUV looks, the Destinator clearly draws inspiration from the Xforce, most notably with its Dynamic Shield face. However, the acrylic grille has a more distinctive look with its honeycomb-patterned upper and lower row of vertical slats.
Said grille is visually connected to the stacked headlamps, which are accompanied by T-shaped daytime running lights that have dashed light strips beside the main headlamp cluster. Elsewhere, the lower intake gets a thick, hexagonal-shaped surround incorporating the fog lamps – this comes in different finishes depending on the chosen trim level.
For that visual pop, sculpted creases over the wheel arches and bottom sections of the doors can be found along the sides along with black cladding. There are also blacked-out pillars, with the C-pillars in particular getting a decorative slotted piece.
The rear showcases Mitsubishi’s Hexaguard Horizon concept, a hexagonal motif said to be inspired by the spare tyres on the back of the legendary Pajero. This highlights the Destinator’s rugged SUV capability, while the T-shaped taillights mimic the look of the front lights to emphasise the vehicle’s width.
Inside, the dashboard design is similar to what we find in the Xforce, with a sizeable “frame” for the sunken eight-inch digital instrument cluster (or analogue unit with a 4.2-inch multi-info display) and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (alternative is an eight-inch unit).
The air vents as well as the digital screen for the air-conditioning system (automatic dual-zone or manual single-zone) and accompanying controls on the centre stack also appear to be taken from the smaller SUV. Meanwhile, the centre console is made unique with more gloss black real estate and a taller gear lever, but the positioning of the controls (electronic parking brake on the left, drive mode on the right, engine start button in the upper right) is familiar.
The seven seats are configured in a 2-3-2 layout, with the second row being a 40:20:40 split-folding bench that has an armrest and cupholders in the middle ‘20’ bit. Higher-end variants come with tray tables behind the front seatbacks, and a 50:50 split-folding bench in the third row is standard across the range.
Available equipment for the Destinator include fabric or synthetic leather seat upholstery, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, four or six speakers and Mitsubishi Connect telematics.
Only the Ultimate gets a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision mitigation (with AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with lane change assist, automatic high beam and rear cross traffic alert.
The range-topper is the only one with automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, a multi-view reverse camera and six airbags. Buyers can also pay more for a hands-free powered tailgate, a powered driver’s seat and eight-speaker Yamaha sound system. The rest of the range makes do with passive cruise control (Exceed only), a normal reverse camera and four airbags. Buyers can choose from Jet Black Mica, Quartz White Pearl, Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic and Lunar Blue.
With a price range of between 385 million rupiah (RM100k) and 465 million rupiah (RM121k), the Destinator is more expensive than the Xpander Cross in Indonesia that goes for between 338 million and 364.2 million rupiah (RM88k and RM94k). It is significantly costlier than the regular Xpander, which starts from 270.1 million rupiah (RM70k) and tops out at 337.8 million rupiah (RM88k).
Curiously, the smaller Xforce has a higher starting price than its bigger brother at 388 million rupiah (RM101k), although it tops out at 429.35 million rupiah (RM111k). Mind you, the Xforce is a pure five-seater and comes with a 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated inline-four petrol engine making 105 PS (103 hp) and 141 Nm, paired with a CVT driving the front wheels.
Outside the Mitsubishi family, the Destinator is comparable in terms of price to the Toyota Kijang Innova that starts from 389.1 million rupiah (RM101k). The Mitsubishi SUV’s starting price is more than both the Avanza and Rush – under 300 million rupiah (RM78k) – although it is nearly half that of Honda CR-V that starts from 759 million rupiah (RM197k). Are you hoping for the Destinator to come to Malaysia? Given the pricing in Indonesia, do you think the brand’s new three-row SUV will be competitive in our market?
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..but fugly
Better than toyota anyways
If gives 1.5EV then it compete directly against Rush MK3 and BRV MK3 later.
It also seems like likelihood to replace Xpander to this Destinator in Malaysia
Compete with Jetour Vt9 /Jetour X70 Plus
Will sell well if comes to Malaysia as long as below RM120K. That X-Force should also use the same turbo engine if it ever reaches Malaysia.
Bringing up the Kijang Innova (the IMV based one) is quite insightful. That product was kinda of its own thing. There was the Isuzu Panther but that’s gone the way of the dodo.
Other brands took forever to respond to the Avanza/Xenia with Grand Livina, Spin, Mobilio, Ertiga, Xpander, etc. Nice to see a brand now try to take on the Innova even it looks more crossover than MPV cause that’s what sells nowadays.
As for prospects in Malaysia, the Innova had decent reception in Malaysia but UMW ending sales of the IMV based one despite initially commuting to extended offering of it alongside the TNGA Zenix isn’t a good sign.
Mitsu will soon Final Destinator along with Nissan
the car bigger size than the xForce only at 105k? bring in Malaysia confirm laku
Indonesia price. Lower taxes. Come to Malaysia, high national car import tariffs. Maybe RM120k if locally assembled. If too high, they won’t bother selling here.
Built for Asean to battle the innova?
Top spec has to below 120k for it to sell here considering the competition.