While the name Destinator sounds like something you'd steal from a GTA game on a Friday night, Mitsubishi is aiming really high with its new family SUV. What's hiding beneath the surface?
Mitsubishi has recently attracted attention mainly with the vehicles it shares with its partners Renault-Nissan, but Mitsubishi Outlander 2026 is not one of them. It is a pure Mitsubishi creation, based on last year's DST concept. If we ignore the name, which would Rockstar Games would be happy to use it for the next mission in GTA VI, we have to admit that Destinator looks surprisingly good.
A digital display from the previous decade?
The interior of the 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator offers something very desirable: physical buttons, which lovers of classic ergonomics will greatly appreciate. But there's also a less appealing side to the story: the vehicle's central digital display. While the 8-inch driver display and 12.3-inch infotainment screen are modern, the overall design looks like someone stuck a 2012 nameplate onto the dashboard. But considering everything else, it's probably not a deal breaker.
Under the hood: a modest but efficient engine
The 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine that produces moderate but satisfactory power. 118 kW (161 hp) and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque. Power is transmitted via a CVT transmission to the front wheels.
Although four-wheel drive is not offered, ground clearance is an impressive 214 mm (8.4 in), which can be increased to 244 mm (9.5 in) if you remove the lower engine cover. Mitsubishi also offers several driving modes: Gravel, Wet and Mud, which at least partially compensate for the lack of 4×4 drive.
Family usability comes first
The Destinator is 4,680 mm (184.2 in) long, 1,840 mm (72.4 in) wide and 1,780 mm (70 in) tall, making it slightly smaller than the Outlander, but has a significantly longer wheelbase of 2,815 mm (110.8 in). This provides plenty of space for family life on the road, with seven seats that fold flexibly to free up a large luggage compartment.
And Mitsubishi doesn't skimp on equipment either: a panoramic roof, Yamaha sound system, 64-color ambient lighting, USB ports in all three rows, and special ventilation slots for the back row will surely please anyone who spends long hours in the back seats.
Conclusion: Mitsubishi Destinator 2026
Destinator may not have been lucky with its choice of name, but all jokes aside, it is family SUV, which offers exceptional value for money. It may not be the most technologically advanced vehicle of 2026, but it certainly targets pragmatic buyers who will appreciate practicality and reliability.
Pricing is yet to be announced, but given Mitsubishi's strategy, we can expect a very competitive figure, making the Destinator a popular choice in the family segment, especially in the Southeast Asian markets where it debuts first. So if you're looking for a vehicle to safely (and comfortably) escape the virtual gangsters of GTA with your family, this might be the right choice for you.
