Mitsubishi Destinator Bows As A New ASEAN-Tailored Three-Row SUV

Revealed online today is the new and tailored-for-ASEAN Mitsubishi Destinator.

Japanese automakers Mitsubishi just took the wraps off the production version of its DST Concept. Christened as the Mitsubishi Destinator, the concept’s original motif of being a front-wheel-drive (FWD), three-row SUV tailored for the ASEAN region, remains.

The latter bit should tell you that firstly, Mitsubishi will likely offer this model locally at some point. Secondly, the FWD setup also signals that the Destinator underpins the same platform as the Mitsubishi Xforce B-SUV – another “made-for-ASEAN” offering.

Much of the DST Concept's touches and elements are retained and toned-down in the production-bound Destinator pictured.

Clearly, much of the original DST Concept’s rugged off-road stance, muscularly squared lines, and rugged black-hued body cladding are retained, as are the distinct Xforce-inspired all-LED forward and rear lighting design and arrangements.

In terms of size, the Destinator sits 4,680 MM long with a 2,815 MM wheelbase, 1,840 MM wide and 1,780 MM tall with a respectable 214 MM ground clearance to boot. In turn, this also translates into a rather sizeable cabin housing three rows of seats for seven.

On board, the Destinator will boasts three-rows of seats for up to seven.

Apart form three-row seating, this new three-row SUV's cabin also promises a slew of practical storage solutions. No boot capacity figures were revealed, but we’ll note both the second- and third-row seats can fold flat to create a cavernous cargo hold.

Whilst on the cabin still, Mitsubishi elected to brim the Destinator with key features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment, 8-inch digital instrument panel, novel cabin ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, as well as a Yamaha audio suite.

Notably, like the Xforce, the Destinator sees Mitsubishi promising a comprehensive ADAS package primed – expect Level 2 semi-autonomous driving abilities at the very least.

Key features set to be primed on board include q 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, 8-inch digital instrumentation, cabin ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, and more.

The Destinator continues to draw from the smaller Xforce mechanically too, whereby it adopts a similar 1.5-litre 4-cyl MIVEC turbo petrol mill - albeit a peppier version of which that outputs 161 HP and 250 NM – that’s paired with a CVT automatic gearbox.

Besides that, the Destinator has five selectable drive modes on offer, and it rides on comfort-tuned suspension. The latter, matched with the ground clearance noted prior, should offer high comforts plus versatility across rough roads and light terrain.

Underneath, the Destinator is set to harness a peppier version of the Xforce's 1.5-litre MIVEC turbo 4-cyl petrol mill and CVT box pairing.

Following this online reveal, the new Mitsubishi Destinator is set to debut publicly next week at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show that starts on July 23.

Sales in said neighbouring republic are set to commence on the same day too. Given that it’s locally built (CKD) in Indonesia too, expect some competitive pricing to be announced then.

Concurrently, the Destinator will also debut in both Vietnam and the Philippines on July 23 too. Whilst not confirmed yet, expect both Thailand and Malaysia to receive the new Mitsubishi Destinator on sale at some point too.