Finding your first car is wrought with trials and tribulations. With so much to choose from it's sometimes hard to wrap your head around what you should be looking at buying and which manufacturer will offer you the best value for your money.
Not all brands are created equal and to that extent, not all models from the same brand are created equal either. Sometimes seeing a deal online makes you consider something outside of your regular scope and while it's good to keep an open mind, one needs to do some homework to avoid buying a vehicle that could turn out to be a right lemon.
Related: Mahindra XUV500 vs Haval H6 C vs Mitsubishi ASX: here's our winner.
Mitsubishi is a renowned Japanese brand that has been in the manufacturing game for many years. Yes, it's true, Japanese fight planes in the Second World War were produced by the very same company that won numerous World Rally Championships and produced the legendary Pajero off-road vehicle. With a reputation like this, it's easy to see why those that drive Mitsubishis love them so.
Are they good first cars?
Your first car should be something that fits your lifestyle. If you're an active person or have a family, the idea of a larger, off-road capable machine may be appealing to you but the downside is that you are tasked with positioning a larger vehicle on the road, one that's not necessarily the easiest to park or manoeuvre in tight confines. Mitsubishi no longer offers smaller vehicles locally and the likes of the Mirage and Lancer have been replaced with crossovers and SUVs.
On the smaller side
The Mitsubishi Xpander is the cheapest, smallest offering currently and it offers you seating for seven and a slightly raised driving position. Visibility over the road is generous and despite its larger size (larger than that of a hatchback), its compact turning circle and short overhangs make it easier to park than one would think. This is a practical way to get into the Mitsubishi family.
The Xpander has lots of storage space and has a flexible seating layout that will allow you to transport larger items as well. It's fitted with a fuel-efficient 1.5-litre engine that produces 77 kW so while you won't win any traffic light Grand Prix', you won't be paying too much for fuel either.
Growing up
Just about everything else from the Mitsubishi portfolio is on the larger side. This includes the ASX, Eclipse Cross and the Pajero Sport. Inexperienced drivers may struggle with the sheer size of these vehicles but the increased ground clearance and raised driving position will provide the impression of safety and help identify potential hazards on the road.
The ASX and Eclipse Cross are easier cars to drive and offer a lot of convenience features for young families and drivers but the Pajero Sport is best in the hands of a more experienced owner. While power delivery is manageable, it's the sheer size of the vehicle that makes it more challenging to drive. Similar can be said about the Triton and this hardy double cab offering may intimidate first-time car owners.
Running costs
The biggest detraction from the Mitsubishi range is the price of service and replacement parts. Many an owner will tell you that services are not as cheap as some of the brand's rivals and parts prices can be rather expensive. Add to this the recent downturn in the brand's overall reliability and you may be faced with some sizeable repair bills if you opt for a model that is out of warranty and service plan. It's not to say that they're unreliable, they're just beaten out by some of the competition. In the recent JD Power survey, Mitsubishi scored above average for dependability but still scored 183 Problems Per 100, versus the industry average of 192 PP100.
Mitsubishi enjoyed great reliability in the late 90s but this came at the expense of a heavier than ideal fuel consumption. The inverse is true nowadays with the engines offering better fuel consumption than before but with most models being plagued by a few quality control issues. The biggest culprit is reported to be the Outlander.
