Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Launched in November 2025, the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator is a 5-door compact crossover multi-purpose vehicle/sport utility vehicle (MPV/SUV) that is designed for the family-oriented Philippine market. The front-wheel drive (FWD) Destinator, which is positioned between Mitsubishi’s popular Xpander and Montero Sport, complements the brand’s 7-seat 3-row model line-up. It would seem that Mitsubishi Motor Philippines (MMPC) wants to ensure all the bases are covered from the compact FWD MPV to the RWD/4WD midsize SUV segments with this compact FWD MPV/SUV in between.
From its rainy November 2025 debut to our scheduled test drive in sunny March 2026, we eagerly waited to get our hands on the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator…
Naturally, we at Power Wheels Magazine are curious about the new Destinator and how it slots between the Xpander, which is the current best-selling compact MPV, and the Montero Sport, which is one of the most popular midsize SUVs in the market today. However, we had to wait a while before we can get our eager hands on a Destinator because the waiting line was quite long, especially with the number of motoring media personalities who are as eager as us to experience this all-new MPV/SUV. Finally, in the middle of March, MMPC’s Paolo Gabarda scheduled a 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GLS for our weeklong test drive. (Thank you, Paolo! – Ed.)
… and guess who gets to exprience it first? The ladies of the house, of course! Mommy Shawie and daughter Vette took our female dog Wiwi to the vet in the Destinator.
Dynamic Exterior Design
Mitsubishi designers used the concept of “Gravitas & Dynamism” for the Destinator’s exterior design. Gravitas pertains to its unique presence, robust SUV proportions and wide stance while Dynamism pertains to the vehicle’s seemingly energetic capability to take on anything the road may throw at it. Its front end features Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield Facia design with T-shaped headlamps that are matched by similarly-shaped tail lamps at the back. Its sides feature sculptured fenders and doors that creates a strong visual connection between the wheel wells while the backend features the Hexaguard Horizon design to convey strength and continuity.
Front end features Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield Facia design with T-shaped headlamps.
Sculptured fenders and doors create a strong character line and visual connection between the front and rear of the Destinator. Note the high 8-inch ground clearance.
A set of sporty 5-spoke 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in meaty 225/55R18 Bridgestone Turanza radial tires not only enhance the dynamic and sporty look of the Destinator, it also provides the necessary connection to the pavement. Overall, we love how our Lunar Blue Mica Destinator GLS looks, especially when we’re in a parking area and some people take a second glance at our test drive unit or muster the courage to approach us and ask us about its features, performance, fuel mileage and price. Mitsubishi has definitely scored well in the design department.
Destinator rolls on a set of 5-spoke 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels with 225/55R18 Bridgestone Turanza tires.
At the back, the Hexaguard Horizon design features T-shaped tail lamps for continuity.
Spacious & Functional Interior
Traditionally, MPVs and SUVs follow the “Two Box” design, where the smaller front box houses the engine and powertrain compartment while the larger box houses the passenger and cargo compartment. The Destinator is a traditional two-box vehicle but Mitsubishi engineers and designers have mastered spatial maximization and made its interior roomy, spacious and highly functional. There are ample head-, shoulder-, hip-, and leg-room in all seven seats, with enough room in the 3rd row to accommodate two adults. Add features like an automatic dual zone climate control with vents all around, foldable tables for 2nd row passengers, and USB ports for the 2nd and 3rd rows, lots of drink holders, and you’ve got a family vehicle that’s destined for long drives.
Let’s talk space: There’s plenty of room and a great view for the front passenger of the Destinator…
… the 2nd row bench seat with 60/40 folding seatback and folding center armrest can seat 3 adults comfortably…
… and there’s a couple of folding table/trays just like in a commercial airliner…
… while the 3rd row bench seat with 50/50 folding seatbacks can seat 2 adults comfortably and cool them with their own overhead A/C vents.
Apparently, Mitsubishi engineers took their collective experience from the Xpander and Montero Sport to come up with a cavernous interior that can accommodate luggage and bulky items. With 7 occupants and all the seatbacks up, there’s about 13 cubic feet (360 dry liters) of luggage room. With 5 occupants and the 3rd row 50/50 seatbacks folded, the cargo area expands to 39 cu. ft. (1,100 L). With just the driver and front passenger, along with the 2nd row 60/40 seatbacks and 3rd row seatbacks folded, there’s around 65 cu. ft. (1,830 L) of cargo space. With these capabilities, the Destinator is not only an MPV/SUV, it can also function as a pickup truck!
There’s about 13 cu. ft. (360 L) of luggage space behind the 3rd row seats.
The 3rd row seatbacks can fold 50/50 to allow a 6th passenger while transporting long items more than 3 and 1/2 feet (1.1 meters) long.
The cargo area expands to around 39 cu. ft. (1,100 L) with the 3rd row completely folded.
The 2nd row seatbacks can be folded 60/40 for transporting items that are almost 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length plus a 3rd or 4th passenger. Folding center armrest has two drink holders.
Folding the 2nd and 3rd row seatbacks completely opens around 65 cu. ft. (1,830 L) of cargo space. That’s huge!
Reliable Family Car & Sporty Toy
Mitsubishi has positioned this compact Destinator as a reliable family vehicle but it can also double as a fun, sporty toy for Daddy (or Mommy) who have a passion for spirited driving. Its 161-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine loves to rev while 250 Newton-meters of torque provides this compact crossover with lively acceleration. Its continuously variable transmission (CVT) offers 5 shift positions while its drivetrain offers 5 Drive Modes – Normal, Wet, Gravel, Tarmac and Mud – that calibrate throttle, traction and steering for outstanding performance. Several driving assistance safety features help keep the Destinator and its occupants out of harm’s way.
It’s an ICE! Transverse-mounted turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with DOHC, 16 valves, MPI and direct injection produces 161 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Power is multiplied by a CVT with 5 shift points before driving the front wheels.
The Destinator GLS was fun to drive in a spirited manner but the high prices of fuel kept us from enjoying it much more.
Our Destinator GLS returned a respectable 13.5 kilometers per liter in combined city/highway driving in spite of our admittedly spirited driving. We were cruising at 21 km/h on EDSA at 8:29 in the evening with light traffic caused by the high fuel prices.
The Destinator’s cockpit was designed for performance and efficiency. It’s Horizontal Axis Dashboard Design maximizes space, provides an intuitive view ahead, and leaves a clean, airy feeling. The driver grips a multi-function 3-spoke steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustment while an 8-inch LCD instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display are housed in a monolithic display panel. There’s an overhead bin for sunglasses, a wireless mobile phone charger in the center console, a cool box that can hold four drinks, and a functional tray under the front passenger seat, which ensures everything is kept in place while driving to a preferred destination.
Horizontal Axis Dashboard Design maximizes space and provides a clear view ahead with a clean, airy feeling.
Driver-centric cockpit features multi-function 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-inch LCD instrument panel, and 12.3-inch infotainment display housed in a monolithic panel.
SUV Looks, MPV Functionality, ADAS Safety
On the road, the ride of the Destinator is generally soft, pliant and comfortable, thanks to the front MacPherson and rear torsion beam independent suspension system. On rough roads and uneven surfaces, however, we can feel the absorption limitations of its low-profile radial tires. We can only guess that the 55-series sidewall profile was chosen to help enhance the handling and road-holding characteristics of the Destinator. We also appreciate the Active Yaw Control (AYC), which enhances stability around curves and sudden turns. Mitsubishi has perfected AYC from its years of rally racing with the Lancer Evolution series.
Active Yaw Control (AYC), which was developed from Mitsubishi’s rally racing experience, enhances stability around curves and sudden turns.
With our 5’9″ son Chevy riding shotgun, and Mommy Shawie and our handyman Bobet in the 2nd row, we were able to transport 4 antique chairs, a jet spray washer, a toolbox, cleaning equipment, and several knick-knacks from our home in Quezon City to a project house in Canlubang, Laguna. That’s how much space this MPV/SUV Destinator has!
At P1,599,000, our blue 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GLS comes with SUV looks, MPV functionality and several safety features including active stability control (ASC), traction control (TCS), hill start assist (HSA), blind spot warning (BSW), rear traffic cross alert (RTCA), lane change alert (LCA), multi around monitor (MAM), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), emergency parking brake (EPB)with Autohold, airbags and parking sensors. The higher-spec Destinator GT variant comes with several suites of advance driving assistance system (ADAS), a panoramic sunroof and more luxurious features. We hope to get to drive the GT soon.
We would need P1,599,000 to call this attractive Lunar Blue Mica 2026 Mitsubishi Destinator GLS our own.
We could go on and on about the numerous features of the Destinator and write about how fun it was to drive, how nimble it was around the city, how attractive it looks, and how useful it can be. However, the sudden spike in fuel prices brought about by the war in Iran (Damn you, Trump! –Ed.) has somewhat dampened the general public’s appetite towards internal combustion engines (ICEs). It would be a pity not to consider this all-new Mitsubishi MPV/SUV just because of the skyrocketing fuel prices. History has shown us that economic disruptions, such as wars and fuel crises, come and go, but people always go back to what serves them reliably and gives them some pleasure.
We’re hopeful that the war ends soon so we can drive the Destinator to farther destinations and bring back driving pleasure and fun once again! After all, it’s destined for more!
Anyway you look at it, the Destinator is an attractive, good-looking compact FWD MPV/SUV.
