Mitsubishi has officially announced that it plans to launch an all-new SUV called the Destinator in South Africa in the first half of 2026.
The Destinator is the latest product to be announced as of the Japanese brand’s ongoing product offensive for our market, which has already introduced the new Triton bakkie, Xpander Cross people carrier, and Outlander Sport crossover.
The new Destinator was first unveiled to global audiences in 2025, where the company stated that the car had been designed for emerging markets in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
It is built at Mitsubishi’s assembly plant in Indonesia, the same factory that is responsible for the Outlander Sport and Xpander.
Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) confirmed that the new Destinator will arrive in South Africa in March 2026.
“The Destinator is an all-new SUV designed for South African families and explorers alike,” said Lerato Nonyane, General Manager: Product & Marketing at MMSA.
“With its bold capabilities and versatile design, we are excited to help our customers embark on new journeys while strengthening our presence in the compact SUV segment.”
The automaker stated that it will reveal the car’s exact local specification, model range and pricing closer to its launch date in March 2026.
What’s in store
The Destinator is a family SUV with seating for up to seven people, split across three rows with configurable seating for the second and third rows.
According to the carmaker, the Destinator combines the practicality of an MPV with the styling of an SUV, and was designed to carry seven people while still providing plenty of storage space.
In terms of visuals, the front end resembles the Outlander Sport thanks to a pair of distinctive LED headlights and daytime running lights with a horizontal curve and additional lights in a vertical pattern.
The grille, on the other hand, moves away from the Outlander’s 3D design in favour of a closed front end with a honeycomb-style pattern.
The overall proportions of the Destinator are also much blockier, emphasizing its larger stature.
The interior is quite similar to the Outlander as well, opting for an 8-inch digital instrument cluster with an adjacent 12.3-inch infotainment screen placed on top of the dashboard.
Below this is a pair of thin horizontal air vents, and a physical interface for the climate controls and other key functions.
A few other features confirmed for the SUV include a panoramic sunroof, 65-colour ambient lighting, and a Yamaha stereo.
It will also come with six airbags and an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera.
Thanks to these fittings, the Destinator has received a five-star ASEAN NCAP safety rating.
Powering all of this is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which produces 120kW and 250Nm.
It is front-wheel-drive and makes use of a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
More information on the new Mitsubishi Destinator will be announced closer to its launch window next month.
Importantly, the carmaker stated that the first 20 customers to secure a Destinator via its pre-launch campaign will receive the car at a special price and unlock “a substantial mystery prize.”
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