2012 Mitsubishi Challenger Reviews

It took a pick-up and applied a four-door wagon body to create an off-road capable SUV, many years before the concept became as common as it is now (Fortuner, Everest, MU-X, and more)

When launched in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Mitsubishi Triton pickup with a station wagon body. Over the years it has became more slightly more sophisticated but still shares some components with the Triton. Which is no bad thing as the Triton is a tough ute with a good reputation in Australia. 

When introduced to Australia in 1998, the Mitsubishi Challenger was virtually a Triton pickup fitted with a station wagon body. Over the years it retained parts in common with the Triton but became more sophisticated. Challenger is slightly smaller and less passenger oriented vehicle than selling Mitsubishi Pajero. This makes it significantly cheaper. Many 4WD enthusiasts say the Challenger is closer to being a ‘real’ 4WD than the Pajero, and love it for that. Take it to forest trails and it will cope with ease, likewise it handles beach driving well. Having said that, a well driven Pajero can be pretty handy off-road as well. From mid 2007 until December 2009 no new Challengers were built. That’s because the engineers concentrated on designing the all-new Triton (the one with the interesting shape at the rear of the doors) before starting to expand their efforts onto the Challenger. Mitsubishi Challenger was a five-seater until the all-new model of 2009 when a seven-seat option was offered. All Challengers have good head and legroom but the older models are a bit cramped for width in the back for three big adults. Luggage space is excellent in the five-seater, with plenty of length and width. Naturally, the seven-seat models lose space in the rear, but are still pretty good. The area is quite easy to load despite being high off the ground. There is also plenty of in-cabin storage space. The Challenger has reasonable on-road comfort for its type and most owners are happy with its characteristics. Later models improved in this. However, those looking for a very relaxed suburban ride may be better off opting for Pajero instead. The Mitsubishi Challenger’s engine is either a 3.0-litre petrol V6 unit or a four-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-diesel. The petrol engine is willing enough, but is slightly down on torque at everyday revs. So you have to work at gearchanging to keep it working to best advantage. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy to use. The automatic transmission used prior to 2009 is a four-speed unit, then moved up to five-speed unit with the all-new 2009. The auto has Mitsubishi’s semi-intelligent change system and can be used as a sequential manual. The Challenger’ doesn’t use the highly-regarded Super Select 4WD system fitted to the Mitsubishi Pajero, rather it has an old-style setup which normally drives the rear wheels only. The two-speed transfer case can be shifted on-the-fly between 2H and 4H at speeds of up to 100 km/h and the front hubs are automatic. So, apart from the inability to use 4WD on sealed roads the system is almost as good as the Super Select one. Though some see this setup as being old-fashioned it explains part of the aforementioned appeal to buyers looking for a ‘real’ 4WD. The suspension in the original ute-based model has a very firm ride that can make the Challenger tiring on a long trip. Mitsubishi made major revisions to the suspension as part of the mid-2000 facelift and mechanical makeover. The 2009 Triton is much more civilised in the comfort department. Spare parts availability is good and we have heard of no complaints about pricing. Mitsubishi is long established in Australia, having built cars in its Adelaide factory for many years, so is well represented in most areas. Even when you’re deep into the outback there’s a good chance you can find parts and a mechanic who understands the Challenger. Insurance is generally at the lower end as it’s the sort of vehicle that normally sells to conservative people. WHAT TO LOOK FOR If you suspect the Mitsubishi Challenger has had a lot of use on dirt roads and in off-road conditions make a careful check of the interior fittings as the firm suspension can eventually cause squeaks and rattles. Look over the cabin for signs of rough usage, being sure to look into all the hidden storage areas for damage that may have been caused by bored junior travellers. At the same time check out the luggage area for damage and/or bad staining. While the Challenger was built down to a price, quality certainly didn’t suffer and there's the typically impressive Japanese attention to detail. Look under the Challenger’s body for signs of damage caused by too-hard driving in harsh areas. Also look and taste for salt on the chassis rails. Salt can really attack steel and frequent beach use can cause corrosion to rip into the metal if it’s left unchecked. Make sure that the Mitsubishi’s engine starts easily and idles smoothly as soon as it settles into its rhythm. Check the engine doesn't blow any exhaust smoke when accelerated hard, especially after it's been idling for a while. It if does it could be due for an expensive overhaul. Be sure that all gearchanges are smooth and light. Check that 4WD is engaged in both high and low ratios without too much effort. CAR BUYING TIP Don’t even think of handing over your hard earned until you've had a full professional inspection, preferably from an expert on the make/model you’re considering.

Mitsubishi has joined the crowd of medium SUVs offering two-wheel drive instead of four. Why drive all wheels when two will do? It's a trend driving one of the fastest-growing segments of the car market. Almost all the popular SUVs are available with two-wheel drive, saving drivers thousands of dollars compared with their all-wheel drive stablemates. The difference here is the Challenger started life as a serious 4WD with a low-range gearbox, a full chassis and off-road capability, unlike most of its rivals which came with single-range all-wheel drive and more car-like underpinnings. And the Challenger 2WD is propelled by the rear axle not the front as is the norm. But while eliminating the transfer case and front drive line saves $5000 and about 120kg, there is a compromise or two. Stability is similar to the 4WD on high-grip surfaces, but this five-door wagon's high centre of gravity and relatively rigid suspension make it skittish on loose gravel and slippery surfaces, where it is heavily reliant on traction control to maintain directional stability. Clearance is unchanged and more than enough, but don't let anyone tell you a rear-drive Challenger will go where the 4WD will go. It's not supposed to, but with high clearance, it will clamber around the bush and potter around the paddocks as long as conditions are dry. It also retains a 3-tonne towing capacity, the highest in its class. Unlike its rivals, the Challenger is diesel only. The 2.5-litre engine is responsive and flexible, although there is no escaping its diesel origins accompanied by plenty of fan noise under load. Output is 131kW and 400Nm in the manual, with the same power but 50Nm less torque in the automatic. Fuel use is 8.2 litres/100km in the five-speed manual and 9.6 litres/100km in the five-speed automatic, a drop or two less than the 4WD models. Within the Mitsubishi stable, the Challenger sits between the Outlander and the Pajero. It is based on the Triton, but with a smoother-riding multi-link coil rear suspension, although it feels more rigid to drive than most of its car-like rivals. Styling is clean and functional. It looks and feels compact, with a commanding driving position. The interior is car-like, albeit with a high floor and low-geared steering. There are two versions -- the $36,990 manual and the $39,490 automatic. Equipment includes front airbags, stability control, traction control, emergency brake assist, 16-inch alloy wheels, a steel spare, cruise control, trip computer, side-steps and a five year/130,000km warranty and roadside assistance plus a 10 year/160,000km powertrain warranty. weeklytimesnow

WE turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering would you buy one?  The cheaper two wheel drive version of Mitsubishi's Challenger wagon. If you think it looks like the Triton ute you're right because its based on the Triton. More than it should be. The auto will set you back $39,490 which buys you a lot of other things including a big chunk of Holden Captiva. Captiva, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe to name a few around the same price.  2.5-litre turbo diesel delivers a good mix of power and economy, with 131kW of power at 4000 revs and and 350Nm of torque at 1800 revs. The diesel in our test vehicle was mated to a five-speed auto with the facility to change gears manually. A five-speed manual is also available for $2500 less.  Suprisingly well. Didn't both with the manual change, just left it in D which works fine. The large change paddles are also superfluous. Clips along at a good rate of knots and is reasonable quick off the line. The auto is rated at 9.6 litres/100km. We had trouble keeping track of the consumption because of the confusing trip computer. But after 1800km we believe it was returning 8.4 litres/100k which is quite good for a vehicle this size.  Gets 2.5 stars from the Govt's Green Vehicle Guide, with CO2 emissions of 215g/km. Prius sets the benchmark with five stars.  Good question. Two airbags are standard. If you take up the Safety pack for $1050 you get side and curtain airbags. You can get a reversing camera to go with them with the Convenience pack which retails for $3640 and is availabel with the auto only. With either of these options it gets four out of five stars for safety. Not very. Not if you find yourself in the back seat. The seat is narrow with a straight back and short squab, like something you'd find in a dual cab ute which of course is what it basically is.  No complaints. The tall narrow stance means you can't go screaming into corners. The lack of all wheel drive is not an issue as far as we're concerned. The big plus is the large boot. In five seat form there's plenty of room back there for all your holiday needs. Convenience Pack also adds Bluetooth, climate air, 17-inch alloys, fog lamps, auto lights and wipers and roof rails as well as a leather steering wheel with audio controls, privacy glass and six speaker sound system. Depends. Has more boot space than any of its competitors if that is important. The kids probably won't complain about the back seat but your conscious might. Then there's the safety rating which is not as good as the others.