Mitsubishi is taking aim at one of the fastest-growing parts of South Africa’s new-car market with the Destinator, a seven-seat SUV that combines family practicality with a surprisingly strong dose of technology.
Priced from R489,990, the Destinator sits in an increasingly competitive market where buyers want the space and commanding driving position of an SUV without moving into premium-car territory.
The formula is straightforward: three rows of seating, a turbocharged petrol engine, generous ground clearance and plenty of equipment.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo petrol engine producing 120kW and 250Nm, with drive sent through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Mitsubishi claims combined fuel consumption of 7.2 litres/100km. Ground clearance is a useful 214mm, giving the Destinator the ability to handle the occasional rough road, driveway or gravel excursion without behaving like a dedicated off-roader.
The engine is arguably one of the Destinator’s strongest selling points. The 250Nm torque peak is available from 2,500rpm to 4,000rpm, giving the SUV enough pulling power for everyday urban driving and highway trips with a family aboard.
But the real attraction is space. Mitsubishi has designed the Destinator around three-row family practicality, with seating for seven and a claimed 25 storage areas throughout the cabin. The second and third rows can also be configured to make better use of the available passenger and luggage space.
Inside, the Destinator moves well beyond the utilitarian image traditionally associated with some Mitsubishi products. The specification includes a 12.3-inch smartphone-linked display, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof and, on the Exceed, a Yamaha premium sound system. The higher-specification model also gets five selectable drive modes.
Safety is another major selling point. The Destinator comes with six airbags and a suite of driver-assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and a multi-around camera. The model achieved a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating in 2025.
The range consists of two derivatives. The entry-level Destinator GLS costs R489,990, while the better-equipped Destinator Exceed costs R569,990. The R80,000 difference makes the GLS particularly interesting for buyers who want the fundamentals of the Destinator without paying for every luxury feature.
VERDICT
The biggest challenge will be convincing buyers to look beyond established rivals in the seven-seat SUV class. Nevertheless, the Destinator has the ingredients to make a serious impression: strong equipment, useful space, respectable ground clearance, turbocharged performance and an attractive ownership package. It is a sensible family SUV rather than a lifestyle statement. Its biggest strengths are space, equipment and value. For families needing seven seats without wanting to spend considerably more, the GLS in particular deserves serious consideration.
PRICING
Destinator GLS R489,990
Destinator Exceed R569,990
* With five years/unlimited km service plan, five years/75,000km roadside assistance and a five-year/75,000km service plan.
