2025 Mitsubishi Destinator debuts in Indonesia – new global three-row SUV for with 1.5T, CVT; CR-V size
Mitsubishi’s all-new, three-row SUV which was previously previewed by the DST Concept, has made its debut in Indonesia. Called the Destinator, it will first go on sale in Indonesia before being introduced in other ASEAN markets, including Vietnam and the Philippines. The model will also be sold markets located in South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East as well as Africa.
Let’s get the obvious question out of the way: what does Destinator even mean? According to the Japanese carmaker, the name was chosen “in the hopes that it will empower drivers and their beloved families to pursue new destinations with confidence.” Right.
The company also pointed out that the Destinator is the third global strategic model born in Indonesia, following the Xpander and Xforce, with production of the model taking place at the Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia plant located in West Java.
Measuring in at 4,680 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, 1,780 mm tall and with a wheelbase of 2,815 mm, the Destinator is larger than both the Xpander (4,595 mm long, 1,750 mm wide, 1,730-1,750 mm tall, 2,775 mm wheelbase) and Xforce (4,390 mm long, 1,810 mm wide, 1,660 mm tall, 2,650 mm wheelbase).
Bringing in outsiders into the comparison, the Destinator is larger than the Toyota Rush, Daihatsu Terios and Perodua Aruz. In fact, the SUV closest in terms of footprint to the Mitsubishi is the current Honda CR-V (4,691 mm long, 1,866 mm wide, 1,681 mm tall) but even then, the former’s wheelbase of 2,701 mm is less than the Destinator.
Mitsubishi also provided information relevant to those who intend to tackle rough terrain, including a ground clearance of 214 mm (244 mm without the car’s under cover), an approach angle of 21 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.8 degrees and a departure angle of 25.5 degrees. It also points out a minimum turning radius of 5.4 metres.
Styling-wise, the Destinator appears to draw a lot of inspiration from the smaller Xforce. The Dynamic Shield face is a clear reference, although the acrylic grille design is more attention-grabbing with its honeycomb-patterned upper and lower row of vertical slats.
Visually connected to the grille are stacked headlamps accompanied by hockey stick-shaped daytime running lights and a series of light bars. Meanwhile, the lower intake gets a thick, hexagonal-shaped surround incorporating the fog lamps – this comes in different finishes depending on the chosen trim level.
Along the sides, you’ll find sculpted creases over the wheel arches and bottom sections of the doors, the former joined by black cladding. Blacked-out pillars are also a notable design cue, with the C-pillars getting a decorative slotted piece.
As for the rear, Mitsubishi touts the Hexaguard Horizon concept, which is a hexagonal motif inspired by the spare tyres on the back of the legendary Pajero. This is said to highlight the Destinator’s rugged SUV capability, while the T-shaped taillights work with the front lights to emphasise the vehicle’s width.
Opening the doors, we find a seven-seat cabin that has the seats arranged in a 2-3-2 layout, with 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.
At the front of the cabin is a dashboard design that is not too unlike the Xforce. Familiar cues include a sizeable “frame” for the sunken eight-inch digital instrument cluster (or analogue unit with a 4.2-inch multi-info display) and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (alternative is an eight-inch unit).
The air vents as well as the digital air-conditioning screen and controls (automatic dual-zone or manual single-zone) on the centre stack also appear to be taken wholesale. One point of variance is the centre console, which has more gloss black than in the Xforce. The controls in this region are similar to the smaller model (electronic parking brake on the left, drive mode on the right, engine start button in the upper right), although the gear lever is taller.
Available amenities include fabric or synthetic leather seat upholstery, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, four or six speakers and Mitsubishi Connect telematics.
Only the Ultimate gets a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision mitigation (with AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning with lane change assist, automatic high beam and rear cross traffic alert.
The range-topper is also the only one with automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers, a multi-view reverse camera and six airbags. Buyers can also pay more for a hands-free powered tailgate, a powered driver’s seat and eight-speaker Yamaha sound system. The rest of the range makes do with passive cruise control (Exceed only), a normal reverse camera and four airbags.
In Indonesia, the Destinator will be offered in three trim levels, namely the base GLS, mid-range Exceed and range-topping Ultimate. All three share the same engine, which its Mitsubishi’s 4B40 1.5 litre turbocharged inline-four petrol unit making 163 PS (161 hp or 120 kW) at 5,000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,000 rpm. If you’re curious if this is new, the 4B40 is also found in the Eclipse Cross and mild hybrid version of the Outlander.
Anyway, the engine draws fuel from a 45-litre tank and drives the front wheels via a CVT. There are five drive (Exceed onwards only) modes to choose from, including Normal and Wet, with off-roading-related options being Gravel, Tarmac and Mud.
The Destinator gets front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam, with ventilated brake discs being standard across the line-up. 18-inch wheels are also the default too, albeit in different finishes (single-tone and two-tone) depending on trim, as is Mitsubishi’s Active Yaw Control.
Colour options include Jet Black Mica, Quartz White Pearl, Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic and Lunar Blue. The carmaker isn’t providing pricing just 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. Are you hoping this comes our way? Mind you, we’re still waiting for the Xforce.
GALLERY: 2025 Mitsubishi Destinator
GALLERY: 2025 Mitsubishi Destinator Indonesian spec sheet
