Mitsubishi Destinator

Step inside, and the cabin quality surprises. Soft-touch materials where your hands go, decent stitching on the dashboard, and a build quality that feels solid, not hollow. The dual-tone black interior with silver accents looks more premium than the price indicates. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is the real highlight of the dashboard, along with an 8-inch digital driver display. Both are super crisp and responsive and don't lag like cheaper infotainment systems. The fit and finish, as expected, is just okay,  but there are no obvious panel gaps or rattles. For a sub-AED 100k SUV, that is tolerable.

Front Seat

The driver's seat offers decent adjustability – not power adjustment on the base variant, but manual with enough range that most drivers will find a comfortable position. The higher P trim gets power adjustment, which matters more than you'd think on long drives. The leatherette upholstery is standard on the top trim, and while it's not real leather, it's convincing enough and easier to clean when kids spill juice. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped on the H and P trims, with audio and cruise controls integrated.

Electronic Parking Brake

The EPB is standard across all trims and includes auto hold, which is a godsend in Dubai traffic. You can now stop pressing the brake pedal at every red light. Hill-start assist is also standard, though UAE roads rarely test it unless you're in Ras Al Khaimah.

Rear Seat 

The second row is where the Destinator actually scores well. Three adults fit comfortably, or two with a child seat between them. The 40:20:40 split-folding setup means you can drop just the centre section to carry long items while keeping two passengers seated. Legroom is genuinely good; taller passengers won't be jamming their knees into the front seatbacks. The recline angle is adjustable, and there are dedicated AC vents with USB-A and USB-C ports. Cup holders in the fold-down armrest are a nice touch. The third row? It's usable. Not for six-hour road trips, but for school runs, weekend errands, or short drives, it works.

AC Vents

Automatic climate control is standard on the H and P trims. The base M trim gets manual AC, which frankly is a lot lower in the UAE. The system cools quickly once running, and the rear vents ensure third-row passengers cool down quickly. Also, it's worth mentioning that cabin filtration is decent; dust and odours are mostly kept out.

Storage Options

The cabin gets decent storage space, like door pockets that fit 1-litre bottles, a centre console deep enough for tablets, and cubbies everywhere. The fold-flat tables on the front seatbacks are genuinely useful for kids on long drives. The glovebox is adequately sized for documents and charging cables. Bottle holders and cup holders are scattered throughout all three rows. Overall, quite a thoughtful design.

Armrest

The front centre armrest doubles as storage. It actually feels nicely padded, comfortable, and positioned at a natural height. The second-row armrest folds down from the centre seat and includes cup holders. The third row doesn't get an armrest, which is fine; there's barely enough room back there as it is.

Charging Options

There are USB-A and USB-C ports in all three rows. The first row also gets a 12V socket and a wireless charging pad.

Boot Space

A three-row SUV is already big enough for space, and here with all three rows up, you get about 150 litres of cargo space. That's enough for groceries or a couple of backpacks, but not much more. Fold the third row flat, and it expands to roughly 450 litres, adequate for weekend luggage. Drop the second row too, and you unlock nearly 1,100 litres, which is van territory.

Mitsubishi Safety Sensing (MMSS) is standard on the P trim, partial on H, and mostly absent on M. This is where variant choice matters. The P trim gets:

• Six SRS airbags 
• Anti-Lock Braking System 
• Electronic Brakeforce Distribution 
• Electronic Stability Control 
• Traction Control
• Hill-Start Assist
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines 
• 360-degree Multi-View Monitor 
• Front and rear parking sensors 
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning 
• Lane Keeping Assist 
• Lane Following Assist 
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 
• Automatic Emergency Braking 
• Adaptive Cruise Control 
• Automatic High Beam 
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• ISOFIX child seat anchors
• Emergency Stop Signal 
• Emergency call function 

If safety tech matters, and it should, the P variant is the only real option.

One thing is pretty clear from the first glance itself: Mitsubishi's designers borrowed from the Pajero's heritage, and it shows. The Dynamic Shield front grille is not necessarily subtle; it is an acrylic panel framed by split LED daytime running lights that give it the perfect look. The hexagonal motif at the rear, inspired by what Mitsubishi calls the Hexaguard Horizon, ties the design together, though whether you find it handsome or merely busy depends on your taste. The dimensions tell the real story: 4,680 mm long, 1,840 mm wide, and 1,755 mm tall. The ground clearance sits at 214 mm with the skid plate and 244 mm without it. Not Wrangler levels, but enough to handle mall parking curbs and the occasional wadi road without drama. 

Front

Those LED projectors are not just meant to look good; they are bright enough for highway night drives and handle Dubai's dusty evenings better than halogen setups ever could. The split DRL design divides opinions but looks unique. The fog lamps are standard on higher trims, and yes, they actually help when morning fog rolls in along the E11.

Side

The side profile is where the Destinator now makes quite an impression, and Mitsubishi deserves some credit. Its roof rails are not just cosmetic, but they are rated for luggage carriers, which matters when you are heading to Hatta with camping gear. The body-coloured door handles and power-folding mirrors with LED turn signals are standard across the range, which is more than you can say for some competitors. 

Alloy Wheels

You get 18-inch alloys in 225/55R18 tyres; that is actually a sensible combination, something comfortable enough for daily commutes. The base M trim gets 16-inch steels, which is where Mitsubishi starts cutting costs.

Rear

The rear taillamps look like the front's split theme, giving it a light signature that's modern without being flashy. The high-mounted stop lamp is standard, as is a rear wiper with washer, essential when following trucks on the E311. The spoiler on higher trims adds a sporty touch, though its aerodynamic contribution is probably minimal. 

Colors

Six colours are available: Red Metallic, Black Mica, Blade Silver Metallic, Graphite Gray Metallic, Lunar Blue Mica, and Quartz White Pearl.

The ride quality is one of the Destinator's strengths. And so it is no surprise to find that the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension are tuned for comfort, not sportiness. That means the bumps are absorbed well, even with passengers in all three rows. The torsion beam does get a bit bouncy over consecutive undulations, but it's never harsh. Similarly, body roll in corners is noticeable; this is a tall, softly developed SUV, but it's predictable and never alarming. The steering is light, which makes parking simple but provides little feedback at highway speeds. Most buyers will never leave pavement, and that's fine; the Destinator certainly is not built for dunes.

City Performance

One key aspect is quite clear: the 1.5L turbo is small for a seven-seater, and it feels rather quick. While driving around town, the Destinator is fine, responsive enough for merges, and light enough to park easily, and the CVT doesn’t look for gears in congested situations.  The turbo lag is noticeable below 2,000 rpm, but once boost builds, it pulls adequately. The fuel economy in the city is decent; expect around 12-14 km/L with AC running and moderate driving. The drive modes are a great help: Eco dulls throttle response but improves economy; Normal is the default; Sport sharpens things up marginally.

Highway Performance

This is where the Destinator's limitations show, if you consider them that way.  The 163 hp engine is just what you need for the city but not known for the fun, speedy drives on the highway. Overtaking loaded trucks on the E11 means you need to plan.  requires planning. Wind noise is well-controlled, though tyre roar comes through on rough asphalt. The CVT is smooth but not exciting. This SUV is clearly a family hauler, not a sports car, and it is better you keep your expectations accordingly.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 8-inch digital driver display
• 18-inch alloy wheels 
• Leatherette upholstery 
• Fabric upholstery 
• Automatic climate control 
• Yamaha Dynamic Sound audio system 
• 6-speaker audio (M and H trims)
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Electronic parking brake with auto hold
• Wireless charging pad 
• Panoramic sunroof 
• Cruise control
• Rearview camera 
• 360-degree Multi-View Monitor 
• Five drive modes: Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Wet, Gravel, Mud
• Fold-flat tables on front seatbacks 
• 64-color ambient lighting 
• Roof rails

In the UAE, you get to choose the Destinator, which comes in three variants; all are targeted for specific buyers' needs at suitable prices.

M 2WD (AED 69,900): This is a base model at this price, and so what you get is pretty essential only. The fabric upholstery, 16-inch steel wheels, manual AC, 6-speaker audio, rearview camera, and basic safety. So, it goes without saying that most buyers should skip this if budgets permit, of course, because you are missing a lot. At the end of the day, you are going to feel incomplete with much of the fun missing.

H 2WD (AED 79,900): As the price goes up for this midrange, there is something interesting you get. Starting with 18-inch alloys, automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering and shift knob, Yamaha audio, and some safety upgrades like rear parking sensors. Undoubtedly this is a value pick if the top variant is out of reach.

P 2WD (AED 97,900): as expected, this top-end trim comes fully loaded. Leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver seat, a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a full Mitsubishi Safety Sensing suite comprising adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot warning. Also wireless charging, ambient lighting, and fold-flat tables. This is the one most buyers should aim for. The safety tech alone justifies the price jump.

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Given the choice of three, it is not hard to make a recommendation but rather a pretty straightforward choice. Go for the P variants if you can, because the price mostly gets you everything you would like, need and prefer at this price. The base variant almost gets nothing beyond necessary. If the budget is not permitting going to the P variants, then consider the H at least, where the Destinator feels well-equipped enough. The P gets the full package: real ADAS tech, a 360-degree camera, a sunroof, and premium interior touches. The AED 18,000 gap between H and P is significant, but the features you gain, especially the active safety systems, are worth it. If you are buying in instalments, the monthly difference is manageable. If you must compromise, the H trim is viable, but the M trim should be avoided.

The all-new Destinator is Mitsubishi's attempt to offer an excellent combination of practicality and value, which seems to be working well. With three usable rows of seating at a starting price under AED 70,000, which is genuinely impressive. This is further bolstered by the distinctive exterior; the relatively plush cabin, which feels more premium than the price suggested; and the ride comfort, which is a clear strength.

While one might see some compromises, such as the 1.5L turbo, which is a tad lower for a three-row SUV which has a capacity of seven people, this could be especially for highway overtakes. The CVT is smooth but not something to talk about, and the base M variant is bare minimum, so going for the top-end variants makes a lot of sense. 

However, ADAS features like adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking are genuinely useful. The 360-degree camera helps in tight parking, while the panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and Yamaha audio add a premium touch, which makes up for some of the shortcomings of this SUV. 

Looking at the prevailing market situation, at AED 97,900, the Destinator P rivals the Toyota Fortuner base model and undercuts the Kia Sorento. That means it has something to offer for buyers at the lower budget of this segment with something that is worthy of consideration. 

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