Mitsubishi Destinator 2026: When Mitsubishi pulled the covers off their latest seven-seater SUV in Indonesia this July, many people immediately jumped to conclusions. The confusion was understandable – with its bold, rugged styling and SUV proportions, many assumed this was the long-awaited replacement for the beloved Pajero Sport. But here’s the thing: it’s not.
The Mitsubishi Destinator represents something entirely different in the automaker’s lineup, and understanding what it actually is – rather than what people thought it might be – reveals why this could be the perfect family SUV for a lot of households.
What Makes the Destinator Special
Created under the design concept “Gravitas and Dynamism,” the all-new Mitsubishi Destinator showcases a commanding presence with its size complemented by a look similar to the Xforce.
Think of it as Mitsubishi’s answer to families who need more space than a typical five-seater but don’t necessarily need the heavy-duty capabilities of a full-size SUV.
The Destinator sits in that sweet spot between the compact Xforce and the more robust Pajero Sport. With dimensions of 4,680mm long, 1,840mm wide, and 1,780mm tall, while a relatively long wheelbase of 2,815mm, it’s designed to maximize interior space while remaining manageable for daily driving.
What’s particularly interesting is how Mitsubishi has approached the engineering. Unlike the XForce, which utilizes the naturally aspirated 4A91 engine, the Destinator will be powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine based on the 4B40 engine in the Eclipse Cross. The Destinator’s engine is said to produce 161 hp and 250 Nm of torque, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
The Family-First Design Philosophy
When you step inside the Destinator, it becomes clear that Mitsubishi prioritized real-world family needs over flashy features. The interior isn’t carried over from the Destinator’s smaller sibling, instead featuring a thoughtfully designed seven-seat layout in a 2-3-2 configuration.
The second-row, 40:20:40 split-folding bench sporting an armrest with cupholders that reduces the seating capacity by one when deployed. Tray tables behind the front seatbacks are available on higher trims, and the third-row bench can be folded in a 50:50 split.
This level of flexibility means families can easily adapt the space for different needs – whether that’s maximizing passenger comfort or creating room for sports equipment, luggage, or the weekly grocery run.
The technology package feels modern without being overwhelming. The center stack follows the current design themes of Mitsubishi, meaning straightforward buttons and toggles like the XForce and Triton. Ambient lighting is available, and so is a panoramic sunroof plus a Yamaha Premium sound system for higher trim levels.
Clearing Up the Confusion
Let’s address the elephant in the room: why so many people initially thought this was related to the Pajero lineage. The confusion came from perhaps the angle of the photos, making it appear larger than its dimensions suggest. It could also be due to the fact that an even larger Mitsubishi SUV model was spied recently, allegedly the Pajero revival.
The reality is quite different. The Mitsubishi Destinator is classified as a compact crossover. With dimensions of 4,680mm long, 1,840mm wide, and 1,780mm tall, those measurements firmly place it in that category, making it more comparable to vehicles like the Honda CR-V than the truck-based Pajero Sport.
Mitsubishi itself has confirmed that an all-new Montero Sport/Pajero Sport will arrive soon. In fact, that was confirmed years ago by the company. They specifically said Pajero Sport, and not ‘a successor to the Pajero Sport.’ As for the that model, it’s expected to debut sometime in 2026.
How It Drives and Handles
While the Destinator uses a front-wheel-drive platform, Mitsubishi hasn’t forgotten their heritage of capable all-terrain vehicles. Like the XForce, this crossover gets Mitsubishi’s selectable drive modes, with five different settings designed to optimize performance for various road conditions.
Drivers can choose from five drive modes tailored to different road surface conditions. Designed for rainy roads, Wet mode provides high stability and reduces the risk of tire slippage, while Tarmac mode offers nimble, precise handling on winding paved roads and sharp responsiveness when pulling away from traffic jams.
The suspension is tuned for comfort rather than hardcore off-roading, which makes sense given its intended use case. Mitsubishi also claims a class-leading ground clearance of 214mm, providing enough capability for light off-road adventures, camping trips, or simply navigating poorly maintained roads with confidence.
Safety and Technology Features
Modern families expect modern safety features, and the Destinator delivers. Advanced driver assists are fitted standard to the Destinator.
it includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Six airbags are included, and for select markets, an emergency call system is activated in an event of a collision.
The 12.3-inch SDA system creates a modern aesthetic and enhances driving enjoyment, presenting a variety of content including a multimeter layout that pays homage to the iconic triple meter of the Pajero. This thoughtful design touch shows how Mitsubishi is connecting their heritage with modern functionality.
What This Means for Families
The Destinator represents Mitsubishi’s understanding that many families need seven seats but don’t necessarily need a full-size SUV’s complexity and fuel consumption. Positioned between the Xpander and the Montero Sport, the Mitsubishi Destinator is set to be the middle child of the brand’s seven-seater lineup.
For families considering this vehicle, think about your actual needs rather than your perceived wants. If you regularly tow heavy trailers, need serious off-road capability, or frequently carry heavy loads, the upcoming Pajero Sport might be worth waiting for.
But if you need versatile seating, reasonable fuel economy, and a vehicle that’s easy to drive and park in urban environments while still being capable enough for weekend adventures, the Destinator could be ideal.
The pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but this will likely be revealed when the Destinator is presented at the upcoming Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) that opens on July 23, 2025. Given its positioning in the lineup, expect it to offer strong value for families who want three-row seating without the premium price tag of larger SUVs.
2026 Mitsubishi Destinator
The Mitsubishi Destinator might not be the Pajero successor that some people were hoping for, but it could be something potentially more useful for many families: a right-sized SUV that prioritizes practicality, efficiency, and everyday usability over maximum capability.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Takao Kato said the name Destinator was coined in the hopes that “to encourage families to embark on adventures in comfort.” That philosophy – putting family comfort and adventure accessibility first – might be exactly what many buyers are looking for in today’s automotive landscape.