Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T Exceed (2026) Review

Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, after quiet a few years, is currently in the midst of a product offensive, with its first move being in the lifestyle-oriented SUV space. For years, the brand was anchored by the legendary Pajero and the Triton bakkie, but the 2026 landscape requires something different, something practical, affordable, and importantly, something that can compete with ever-increasing competition from other Asian manufacturers. Enter the Destinator, a bit of an odd name from a brand with legendary marques like Eclipse and Evolution.

Launched locally in March 2026, the Destinator is a strategic addition to the stable, slotting in above the Outlander Sport but below the flagship Outlander. It arrives at a critical time, as South African families increasingly migrate toward 7-seater crossovers without a ladder-frame chassis.  Built in Indonesia and designed specifically for emerging markets like ours, I recently drove the newcomer; here are my thoughts.

Related: Mitsubishi Destinator (2026) - First Drive Review

Pros

• Good looks

• Smart packaging & versatility

• Audio experience

• Improved interior quality

• Passenger Comfort and features
  

Cons

• Small fuel tank

• CVT drivetrain characteristics

• Price premium

• Power deficit to rivals

• Digital cluster resolution

Styling

Mitsubishi has leaned into its brand identity with the Destinator, which combines modern soft-roader and off-roader aesthetic touches that are unmistakably Japanese in their execution. While it shares some DNA with the brand’s MPV heritage, the Exceed trim brings a commanding SUV presence. It features sharp LED headlamps and distinctive LED taillights that give it a contemporary night-time signature. Sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels with a 225/55 profile, the Destinator is distinct and certainly attractive for something so practical.

The Destinator is a good-looking 7-seater!

Interior

Step inside the Exceed, and you are met with a cabin that feels better than many Mitsubishi passenger cars I have driven in recent years. The focus is on tactile quality and tech integration. A digital instrument cluster and a large central touchscreen dominate the dashboard, featuring intuitive touch inputs and smartphone integration. The system itself works well, not leading any segments, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, decent resolution, and relative ease of use make it entirely acceptable. The system is enhanced by a Yamaha sound system that delivers a clear, crisp audio experience. The digitised cluster sports a grainy resolution, but is functional enough. Other features include artificial-leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof that bathes the seven-seat cabin in natural light.

Practicality and versatility are where the Destinator shines: the 2nd row features slide adjustment, and the seats can fold forward with one lever, making the boot space versatile, ranging from 117 litres in grocery mode with all seats up to 1 930 litres with the rear rows flat. There's also 214 mm of ground clearance—beating rivals like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro (207 mm) and the Mahindra XUV700 (200 mm) —making it look like it truly belongs on a South African gravel road. If you're looking for something that can do the school run and family holidays, there's ventilation in all three rows of seats and UBS charging ports, too. This is a great family car that I found very easy to use when shifting the seats around!

The third row is best suited for smaller people, but it's very easy to set up!

Drive Impression

The driving experience is defined by the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine. Delivering 120 kW and 250 Nm, it provides smooth, linear power through a CVT. While it doesn't have the sheer punch of the Mahindra XUV700’s 2.0T engine (149 kW/380 Nm), the Destinator is very smooth, with the CVT making good use of the engine's low-down torque; however, under hard acceleration, be prepared for the drone associated with CVTs. This is certainly not made for dynamic driving.

The suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up road imperfections with ease. Despite being front-wheel drive, the Destinator handles gravel detours with more confidence than its peers, thanks to that extra ground clearance and a well-calibrated traction control system. It’s a cruiser rather than a sprinter, reaching 100 km/h in a claimed 8.9 seconds. More importantly, it handles carrying multiple passengers with relative ease and doesn't feel underpowered with four or five people on board.

Fuel Consumption

In an era of rising pump prices, the Destinator’s efficiency needs to be considered. I achieved around 9.3 L/100km, however, the car had less than 1 000km on the odometer when it arrived, so once it's run-in, this figure will come down. The Destinator's problem is its 45-litre tank, which limits the driving range between fill-ups.

• Claimed average: 7.2 L/100 km.

• Actual average: 9.3 L/100km
  

Safety

Mitsubishi hasn't skimped on the safety suite for the Exceed flagship:

• Airbags: 6 airbags (Front, Side, and Curtain).

• Driver Assist: Includes Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Warning, and Attention Assist.

• Parking: A surround-view camera system paired with front and rear PDC makes navigating this 4.6-metre SUV into tight mall parking spots effortless.

Pricing*

• Mitsubishi Destinator 1.5T Exceed: R 569 990

• Includes a 5-year/75 000 km service plan and a 5-year/unlimited km warranty.

Quick Comparison: The 7-seat rivals

Verdict

The Mitsubishi Destinator is a polished entry into the 7-seater market. It offers the design and appeal of a traditional SUV with the tech and seating flexibility of a modern 7-seater. While it comes with a premium price tag, I feel it's worth a test drive if you're shopping for a 7-seat option in the R500-600 000 price bracket.