2002 Mitsubishi Starwagon Reviews

Some of Australia’s most famous car brands are starting to come under significant sales pressure as Chinese brands win over local customers.According to the latest sales data that covers until the end of May, the biggest movers up the sales charts are the Chinese brands. BYD is up 120 per cent, Chery is up 84 per cent, GWM is up 23 per cent and Geely is up a remarkable 629 per cent.But given the Australian market typically remains at the 1.1-1.2 million mark in any given year, for those brands to experience sales growth, other car makers are taking a hit. And the brands that have suffered noticeable sales declines so far in 2026 are some of the biggest names.Nissan - down 32.8%The Japanese brand has slipped outside the top 10 sellers and it’s hard to pinpoint a particular reason. Nissan is down across its entire line-up, with even its stalwart X-Trail taking a 15.3 per cent sales hit in the first five months of the year.It certainly hasn’t helped that the company has dropped once-popular models, the Juke and Pathfinder, but both were already struggling to find an audience.The arrival of the new Navara may help to pick things up in the second half of the year, while the long-anticipated new-generation Patrol cannot come soon enough. The brand is also pinning a bounce back on a range of new hybrid ‘e-Power’ models due in the near-future to revitalise its line-up. Mitsubishi - down 26.4%In many respects this is an unsurprising result given Mitsubishi culled much of its line-up in 2025, dropping the Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross, while also changing over to a new-generation ASX.The problem is that aside from the Triton ute, every other model in the current range is in sales decline so far this year. The ASX was the brand’s key model for years, offering an affordable small SUV option to many buyers. But the new, Renault-based ASX is simply failing to have the same results, likely because affordable, small SUVs are a key area of success for the Chinese brands.Mitsubishi has sold just 695 ASX in the first five months of the year, while BYD has sold 2919 Atto 2, Jaecoo has moved 4017 J5 and Chery has found 11,309 buyers - so it’s clear what has hurt the Japanese brands sales.The good news for Mitsubishi is that one of its most beloved models is making a return. An all-new Pajero is set to go on sale by the end of the year and could be a much-needed boost for the brand.Subaru - down 22.1%It was always going to be a tricky period for Subaru, with its two most popular models (Forester and Outback) being replaced within a 12 month period. However, the Forester has been on sale for nearly a year, so the 8.4 per cent sales decline in 2026 is concerning, while the Outback has been met with mixed reviews for its radically different styling.While there is no quantifiable evidence that Subaru is losing buyers to the Chinese brands, looking at the Forester’s mid-size SUV segment it’s clear that Australian buyers have been won over by what the newer brands are offering. The Forester sits behind the BYD Sealion 7 and GWM Haval H6, while the Chery Tiggo Pro 7 and Geely EX5 are closing in. Add to that the arrival of a new Toyota RAV4 and the continued popularity of the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage and it makes for a tough challenge for the Forester.Outback sales are off to a relatively slow start, despite the introduction of the more rugged Wilderness variant, but the competition in the large SUV segment is not easy either, with a diverse group that includes the Toyota Prado, Hyundai Santa Fe and BYD Sealion 8.Subaru will be hoping its new all-electric Uncharted and Trailseeker can make an impact and capitalise on the current demand for EVs, while there is a chance both Forester and Outback sales could pick-up in the second half of the year.Suzuki - down 22.0%The key problem for Suzuki is its legacy is also built on offering affordable small models, so the arrival of so many Chinese brands offering similar (or better) products for similar (or less) money has made life hard for the brand.Sales are down across the board, with even its stalwart Jimny taking a 12 per cent hit in the first five months of the year. The arrival of the new Fronx has helped add new sales, but with so much decline it hasn’t helped the brand’s ultimate sales numbers.Suzuki is hoping that the Jimny Rhino, a new special edition of its beloved compact off-roader can help boost interest. But it will need more than that to reverse its current sales situation, which will be difficult as the competition is only going to get more intense.Volkswagen - down 17.0%It has been a mixed performance for the German brand so far in 2026. Overall sales are down and there have been big drops for some key models, but there has also been some important sales growth.The bad news is the Amarok ute has dropped more than 33 per cent, while its core SUV line-up has also been hit, with the T-Roc down 55.9 per cent, the T-Cross down 49 per cent and the Tiguan down 13 per cent.The good news is the brand is getting some traction with its electric offerings and its updated commercial vehicle line-up. Sales of the ID.4 are up over 455 per cent (only 171 sales behind the Tiguan), the ID.5 is also more popular as is the ID.Buzz van. The new Crafter (up 277%), new Transporter (up 78.1%) and the ID.Buzz Cargo (up 33.7%) are all enjoying a successful start to the year.But VW will need to get the Tiguan and Tayron really firing in the second half of the year - which is possible with the arrival of new hybrid options) if they don’t want to finish in its current position.

Mitsubishi has thrown the covers off its next fully electric model, marking the return of the Eclipse name, again.The new model for 2027, now called the Eclipse Sportback, is a re-badged and partially re-styled Nissan Leaf as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.While it shares its overall design with the new-generation Leaf, it features a more dramatic front bumper, a new ‘grille’ design, a tweaked rear bumper, Mitsubishi badgework, and bespoke wheel designs. The interior is yet to be revealed.It will likely share the bulk of its specifications with the new-generation Leaf, including a 160kW/355Nm electric motor, either a 75kWh or 52kWh battery pack, and a driving range that is claimed to exceed up to 600km.The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback appears to be a North American market exclusive for now, and the brand says it forms part of its ‘Momentum 2030’ strategy to expand its footprint in the USA with new electrified models.It is not the only model sold under the Eclipse name, with the brand also offering a re-badged version of the Renault Megane E-Tech dubbed the Eclipse Cross exclusively for the European market.The Eclipse nameplate was originally a two-door sports coupe manufactured for the North American market across four generations from the 1990s to the early 2010s, the Eclipse name was re-booted for a small SUV dubbed the Eclipse Cross in 2017 and launched in Australia in 2018.The model ran until 2025 when it was discontinued locally because its ageing chassis and on-board safety tech no longer complied with Australian Design Rules.It is likely Australia will never see the new Eclipse Sportback, as Mitsubishi has had to make more strategic decisions for Australia where it faces tough competition from aggressive Chinese newcomers. The brand has confirmed Australia will instead receive a new yet to be named fully electric model, which Mitsubishi is developing based on a car from Taiwan’s Foxtron brand.The brand recently confirmed it is on-track to see this fully electric crossover model launch in Australia before the end of the year. It will need to be aggressively priced in order to help the brand bring down its potential penalties under Australia’s recently-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Nissan has pulled back on its plan to launch the Leaf in Australia, saying it will be more competitive on the hybrid front, rather than trying to compete with aggressive rivals in the price-sensitive and highly competitive electric small SUV space.It is not the only Mitsubishi alliance model unlikely for an Australian launch. The brand also offers the Renault Symbioz-based new-generation Grandis as a mid-size SUV.Mitsubishi's XForce hybrid small SUV and XPander MPV from South East Asia have been ruled out for Australia as they prove uneconomical to upgrade to comply with Australia’s stringent safety requirements.

Audi RS5: Ready to enter the German ‘Big Three’ performance octagon with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63S, the new Audi RS5, offered as a sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon, is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a powerful single electric motor for outputs of 470kW/825Nm. Pricing is already confirmed from $179,900, before on-road costs. Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed: Swapping out the British brand’s epic (but emissions constrained) 6.0L W12 for a fearsome 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has made this luxurious SUV even faster and louder. How about 478kW/850Nm and $525,000, before on-road costs, when it arrives here in the next couple of months?Read moreBMW iX3: Arriving in early July, BMW’s much-anticipated 'Neue Klasse' iX3 is an ultra-modern mid-size five-door SUV with a pure-electric powertrain initially launching with one model, the 345kW/645Nm 50 xDrive (109,900, before on-road costs). The 235kW/500Nm iX3 40 ($89,900, BOC), which slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, will follow in Q4.  Read moreBMW M2 xDrive: New compact muscle coupe variant picks up all-wheel drive to put the 353kW/600Nm produced by its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder on the ground. Zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec with cost-of-entry at $172,900, before on-road costs when it arrives in Q4.Read moreBYD Atto 3 Evo: Prior to the all-new next-gen Atto 3 likely hitting Aussie showrooms sometime in 2027, the Evo version of the current model gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available. Likely local touchdown in Q3.Read moreChery KP31: And you thought there wasn’t room for another ute in the Aussie market. The subject of a local naming contest (Orca is looking likely, as it tops BYD Shark) the Chery ‘KP31’ is scheduled for a Q4 launch, featuring a ladder chassis and a segment-first 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and electric motor hybrid powertrain. A petrol-electric hybrid will arrive in 2027.Read moreCupra VZ5: Fire-breathing mid-size SUV variant powered by an Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine sending 287kW/480Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 4.2 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx, making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there. Read moreDeepal S05: The Deepal S05 small-medium SUV joins the S07 mid-size SUV, likely offered in range-extender hybrid and/or pure-electric form. ADR compliance is locked in and pre-orders are open on the brand’s Aussie website.Read moreFerrari 849 Testarossa: Okay, the shopping list - milk, bread, eggs and a $932,648 Ferrari 849 Testarossa. Not for everyone, then. But what a car! Zero to 100km/h in 2.3sec courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain sending 611kW/842Nm to all four wheels. Coupe in Q4, with the roofless Spider arring in early ‘27.  Read moreGeely EX2: Set to arrive in the third quarter, this budget-focused electric compact SUV could start under $30K, before on-road costs. It has a single motor driving the rear wheels and two battery sizes are offered in China, providing 310km or 410km of range, respectively. Read moreGenesis GV60 Magma: Part of the upcoming next-gen GV60 line-up, the Magma is a performance-focused pure-electric powerhouse SUV riding on the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Dual electric motors for 478kW/790Nm, 0-200km/h in 10.9sec and maximum velocity of 264km/h. Arrives in July.Read moreGWM Wey G9: The Wey G9 (name yet to be confirmed for Australia) is a luxury plug-in hybrid people mover scheduled for Q4 with the V9X PHEV SUV spilling over into 2027. Its chunky 44.2 kWh battery provides a claimed pure-electric driving range of up to 170 km with a combined range of more than 1000km. Read moreHonda Super One: Super by name, super by nature, this pure-electric ‘kei’ car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with a likely Aussie starting price around $35,000. A front-mounted electric motor produces 70kW/162Nm and Honda claims up to 274km of range.  Read moreHyundai Palisade XRT Pro: A tough looking Toyota LandCruiser rival with twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks as well as more ground clearance for useful approach, departure and breakover angles. Add a rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow. Read moreIsuzu D-Max EV: One of the most popular utes in the county could get a pure-electric option powered by front- and rear-mounted electric motors, producing 140kW, with front motor torque at 108Nm and rear motor torque at 217Nm for a maximum 325Nm and full-time 4WD. A 67kWh battery offers a driving range of 263km (WLTP). No launch confirmation yet, but Isuzu Ute Australia says “it will continue to monitor local needs and evaluate the reception of BEVs”. Read moreJeep Compass: Potentially a Q4 arrival, the new Compass rides on the same ‘STLA Medium’ platform as Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. It will join the smaller Avenger in Jeep’s electrified line-up. There should be a choice of 106kW 48V eHybrid and 145kW plug-in hybrid powertrains, both likely based on the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine carried over from the current-generation. Read moreKGM Musso Q300: Dual-cab only, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW/441Nm mated to a six-speed torque-converter auto transmission with 4WD and a locking rear differential. Coil- or leaf-spring rear suspension options with a payload of 500kg for the former and 700kg for the latter. Features a 12.3-inch digital dash and matching multimedia touchscreen.   Read moreKia Seltos: Coming in Q4, We’re expecting a front-wheel drive version with outputs to be approximately 113kW/265Nm, plus an all-wheel drive with 131kW, though its rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor and not mechanically connected to the front wheels. The all-new Seltos should start around $30K, before on-road costs. A specific Australian suspension tune is already in the works.  Read moreLeapmotor B05: Lobbing in Q4, the Leapmotor B05 is a five-door, electric, rear-wheel drive, hot-ish hatch with 180kW/320Nm in the flagship Ultra variant. A choice of 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery, delivers a range of 500km or 600km (CLTC) and we’d be shocked if it wasn't among the cheapest warmed-over hatch offerings in the local market.   Read moreLexus ES: Electric versions of the striking all-new Lexus ES have been approved for Australian sale, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive ES500e flagship producing 252kW. The ES350e is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 170kW. However, the brand has confirmed hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered locally.  Read moreMazda CX-6e: Set to challenge the Tesla Model Y on price, the Mazda CX-6e is likely to land with a starting price around $54K. A 78kWh battery delivers a 450km (WLTP) range, the rear-mounted 190kW/290Nm electric motor drives the rear wheels and 0-100km/h comes up in 7.9sec. Its 195kW DC charging capacity is good for a 10-80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes.Read moreMercedes-Benz GLB: Launch line-up of the pure-electric small SUV will be single-motor rear-wheel drive (200kW/335Nm) GLB250+ or dual-motor all-wheel drive (260kW/515Nm) GLB350. Its 800-volt architecture allows an ultra-rapid DC charging rate of up to 320kW. Three hybrid powertrains will be added later in front- or all-wheel drive all using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt assistance. Read moreMG QS PHEV: Launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with an Aussie introduction likely this year. Plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor for around 220kW combined. A 24.7kWh battery pack grants it a WLTP-certified electric range of 100km.Read moreMitsubishi Pajero: One of the year’s most significant arrivals comes with the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero, with sights set on the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol and current Toyota LandCruiser 300. Most likely powertrain is an updated version of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powering the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm). Looking like a Q4 launch.Read moreNissan Patrol: Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the new ‘Y63’ Patrol will “open in coming months” with vehicles on the ground at the end of the year or very early next. Its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine is derived from GT-R’s and produces 317kW/700Nm, dwarfing the 298kW/560Nm outputs of the soon-to-be-defunct V8 of the Y62 Patrol. Read moreOmoda 4: New entry-level model for the brand with edgy, angular looks and a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power in the domestic Chinese market. Riding on Chery’s ‘T1X’ platform, the Omoda 4 is a likely Toyota Corolla Cross competitor.Read morePolestar 5: Headed our way in Q3, the 5.1m long ultra-slippery (Cd 0.24) Polestar 5 offers the performance, comfort and touring ability of the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT sibling at an appreciably lower price. Two versions coming, both powered by dual motors - the Dual Motor (550kW/812Nm) at $171,100 and the Performance (650kW/1015Nm) at $193,100 (both before on-road costs).Read morePorsche Cayenne Electric: Dropping in Q3, as the name implies, this is a pure-electric beast with even the entry-grade (of three) Cayenne Electric ($167,800, before on-road costs) featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive and producing 325kW. The flagship Turbo accelerates from 0-100km/h in hypercar-equalling 2.5sec thanks to its stonking 850kW/1500Nm outputs.  Read moreRenault Symbioz: On course for a July touchdown, the Symbioz is a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival with an entry-level mild-hybrid 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powertrain producing 104kW/245Nm. A 1.8L full-hybrid boosts that to 116kW/265Nm. Pricing starts from $36,990. Read moreSmart #5: It’s been a long time in the offing but the Smart #5 plug-in hybrid SUV is a likely Aussie arrival in the second half of the year. It offers up to 252km of pure-electric range and up to 320kW of total power from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine and three-speed hybrid transaxle motor powertrain. Claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.4L/100km (when its battery is depleted). Read moreToyota RAV4 PHEV: Another significant new entry. FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW. Pricing will start from $58,840, before on-road costs, making it roughly $15K more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990).  Read moreVolkswagen T-Roc: Sleeker looking and bigger, with a more premium vibe, VW’s small SUV also features new powertrains. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid in two states of tune (85kW and 110kW) for FWD versions and a more powerful 2.0L mild-hybrid arriving later. A T-Roc R is confirmed to follow, too.  Read moreXPeng G9: As the legal cage fight between previous XPeng importer True EV and the XPeng factory continues, the priority is getting G6s back into showrooms. But the luxury G9 electric SUV is a possible addition. Rear- or all-wheel drive with two battery options, a driving range of up to 680km and loads of included features for an estimated starting price in the region of $70K.Read moreZeekr 8X: Upper mid-sized, plug-in hybrid luxury SUV to sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X and below the flagship three-row 9X. Pairs a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine (205kW/410Nm) with dual electric motors for a combined 660kW/935Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds. A 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allows ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range. Probable starting price in the $80K band.Read moreZeekr 9X: Ultra-luxury, upper-large, three-row SUV offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack. The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the two lower variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range. Standard equipment and features are suitably extensive. Expect a starting price just over $100K.Read more

Mitsubishi has signalled its intent to experiment with more factory-backed Triton variants, including a GVM upgrade following on from the success of the Ford Ranger Super Duty and the popularity of such upgrades in the aftermarket.The company’s GM of Product Strategy and PR Bruce Hampel earmarked “something more customised” to buyer needs was coming.“We’re letting money walk out the door if they go to ARB or Ironman,” Hampel said of a potential factory GVM upgrade, which would take the Triton above 3500kg GVM.“It’s something we’re in discussions with MMC [Mitsubishi Motors Corporation HQ in Japan] about to upgrade suspension, either genuine from-the-factory, or a licensed accessory similar to what competitors are doing at the moment. We haven’t got a formal agreement at the moment, but it’s under study.”“It’s similar to what Raider does. It offers dealers the ability to offer customers a more tailored solution to what they’re looking for in the intended usage of their Triton.”“If we can’t offer it in the dealership then they’ll just go to the aftermarket. But that’s an inconvenience to them because then they take on all the risks and voiding the warranties and these types of things. So it is more attractive if we can offer it to them at the point of sale," he said.Of course, another, but perhaps less likely opportunity for the brand to provide something above of the usual dual-cab category will come from the brand’s just-announced plan to build an American pick-up as a platform-share with the Nissan Frontier, part of a refreshed tilt to secure market share in the USA and Canada.The tepid success of already-locally-converted and factory-backed projects, the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150, may make a locally-upgraded Triton a more appealing alternative.Hampel said “many eyes in Japan” were following the progress of the new locally-developed Raider variant with its significant off-road focused suspension overhaul from Premcar. He said “when it is a success” it could open the door to more localised variants.“ this style of program is something they can trust distributorships with local expertise - we’re leading the way of going down that path,” Hampel added.“There will be opportunities to go further.”His comments not only apply to a potential GVM upgraded version, similar perhaps in intent (but maybe not with the same deep chassis upgrades) as the Ford Ranger Super Duty, but also even more hardcore off-road versions with even deeper capability further up the price scale.While Ford’s take on the heavy duty model completely re-engineers the Ranger chassis to be heavier gauge, and reaches into its international parts catalogue for upgraded drivetrain components, it seems more likely a heavy-duty Triton would be more limited to suspension components.The brand has earmarked further electrification in the future as a source for more power, rather than an engine from MMC’s Fuso commercial division or a local tune for the current 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel unit, which was been labelled prohibitively expensive by Hampel - even if the brand were to lean on the existing expertise of its Premcar partner.As to what this could look like we may have to wait and see what the brand does with the long-mooted return of the Ralliart brand, which is expected to be the next step for the current Triton.Hampel confirmed there would be no Ralliart without an increase in power, which could open the door to more opportunities for the brand.“We’re in constant discussion with them, working on those next-level programs, but we’ve got to prove what we can do, and what we’ve done so far,” he said.“With the change to electrified options as well, that opens up a different path to having a step-up in performance level.“As we transition into HEVs, PHEVs, and ultimately BEVs and these types of vehicles, we could use electrification as the differentiator.”As to how far Mitsubishi will end up going - you’ll need to watch this space. Discussions were preliminary enough the brand admitted that it hadn’t considered a GVM upgraded Triton being exempt from Australia’s tough new emissions regime (NVES), as such an upgrade could move it into commercial-vehicle-exclusive classification territory alongside the Ranger Super Duty.In the meantime, Mitsubishi will have plenty on its hands for the remainder of 2026 as it gears up for the arrival of its much-hyped next-generation Pajero as its flagship 4WD offering, as well as a new fully-electric small SUV from its partnership with Taiwan’s Foxconn.

The Triton Raider is now the most expensive version of Mitsubishi’s popular ute range, featuring an array of modifications from local tuning outfit Premcar.With these locally-tuned utes becoming more commonplace, though, what sets this one apart? And can it live up to the hype Mitsubishi hopes to generate for it?We’ve driven it at its local launch on and off the road to find out.At $74,990, drive-away (at the time of launch), the Raider is by far the most expensive Triton yet. To even get in the door of this thing you’ll be spending nearly $10,000 over the previously-top-spec GSR grade which sits below it in the usually value-focused ute range.It pushes the Triton up into territory usually dominated by high-spec versions of more expensive rivals, like the (notably also locally-developed) Ford Ranger Tremor ($75,090) and Kia Tasman X-Pro ($74,990), both prices before on-road costs.In terms of its intentions, though, to build the Triton into something more than would normally come from the factory, it competes more closely with the likes of the Isuzu D-Max Blade ($80,900, BOC) or upcoming Volkswagen Amarok W600 (price TBC).To that end, the Triton Raider’s standard equipment includes a larger wheel and tyre package, consisting of 18-inch ROH ‘Assault’ wheels in an exclusive bronze hue clad in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres. This increases the track by 20mm in total (10mm each side) and it also features a 25mm suspension raise in the front and 15mm raise in the rear to better balance the body out.The star of the show is the Premcar-tuned suspension package, which consists of a set of customized Monroe shocks front and rear and new jounce bumpers (bump stops) which both help to smooth out the flaws in the factory ute’s ride.Mitsubishi has adorned the ute with some Ralliart-inspired decals on the lower parts of the doors and added gloss black overfenders to account for the wider track. It has also added Mitsubishi-branded matt black side-steps, a sports bar over the tray and a Raider-badged bash plate for underbody protection.Inside may come as a bit of a disappointment, with the brand playing it very safe by only adding Raider stitching to the front headrests and a Raider badge on the transmission cladding.In the pictures, it doesn’t look all that different from a regular Triton GSR, but once you see it next to a standard version of the ute, it’s evident how much tougher this package looks. Some may think it hasn’t gone far enough, but I think others will appreciate the subtlety on offer here, too.There are also an array of minor MY26 upgrades which shouldn’t be forgotten, particularly the new Yamaha performance dampers fixed horizontally to the front and rear frame rails which help to iron out some of the existing ladder frame jiggle. More on how it drives later.Buyers will be happy to know this new Raider variant maintains the ute’s 3500kg towing capacity, and this one also maintains a payload of 990kg, which is pretty solid for a dual-cab in this class.Again, some may be disappointed to see the brand hasn’t provided a boost in power to go with the Raider’s tough looks, it carries over the same 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine from the rest of the Triton range.It provides 150kW/470Nm, which is fine, but maybe not particularly impressive when measured against Ford’s 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm). Mitsubishi is banking on its track record for dependability, which it says, along with the cost of upgrading, is the main reason it stays the same under the bonnet.It also carries across the usual six-speed traditional torque converter automatic, paired to the brand’s signature 'Super Select II' system which is capable of running in permanent '4H' (4WD high-range) mode while including a 2H (2WD high-range) setting for fuel efficiency and a 4L (4WD low-range) mode for more challenging terrain, alongside a rear differential lock.Is the Triton Raider any good to drive? In short, yes.This is the definitive edition of the Triton for now. It’s rare for a car to live up to everything the brand wants to shout about, but this one is impressive to steer, with so much of the potential of this Triton’s platform explored.It feels far more confident on the tarmac, with very linear steering and excellent on-road manners, while on the rough stuff, where it’s really meant to shine, it excels.The Raider ate up the trails we had the chance to sample at an off-road test facility, whether it was articulation, loose surfaces, steep declines, or mogulled-hills, with seemingly plenty of breadth of ability left over.The already-good traction systems no doubt helped the ute along, with the only eyebrow-raiser I found being the square and upright bonnet with the extra lift making it tricky to see the terrain in front of you at times when descending.The engine, too, could potentially be a weak point if you were to venture into particularly muddy or sandy conditions, with it needing a proper push of momentum on the steeper climbs. Hopefully the topic of a test for another time.Overall though this is an impressive, well thought-out and properly tested halo variant, with Premcar working its magic to elevate the Triton further than expected.Mitsubishi says to expect 7.7L/100km of diesel consumption, but don’t be surprised to see at least 8.0L+ as we saw in our test cars.Importantly, Mitsubishi backs the ute and all of these additions with its conditional 10 year/200,000km warranty promise (provided you keep servicing at an authorised Mitsubishi dealer after the five year mark).It has a matching 10 years of capped price servicing and 10 years of roadside assist. Workshop visits will set you back an average of $675.30 per year for the life of the warranty.

Australia will have an EV from the maker of the iPhone by the end of the year, this could be it.Foxtron is a joint venture between iPhone maker Foxconn and car manufacturer Yulong, and it will build electric cars for Mitsubishi for markets including Australia.Mitsubishi Australia General Manager Product Strategy and Product Public Relations Bruce Hampel told CarsGuide in April, “We’re on track for having our BEV [Battery Electric Vehicle] in market by the end of the year.”Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed the Foxtron model its electric car will be based on, but the new mid-size Cavira SUV would be the perfect fit.Mid-size SUVs are the most popular on the market, and would give Mitsubishi a genuine rival to the strong selling Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X and BYD Sealion 7.In Taiwan there are two variants of the Cavira, a single rear motor version that makes 186kW and 350Nm. It is paired with an circa-82kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of up to 578km via the more lenient WLTC testing regime.A dual motor version ups the ante with 349kW and 700Nm, which drops the 0-100km/h sprint time to 3.8 seconds from 6.9 seconds.It uses the same battery to deliver a driving range of up to 538km.Both can accept a max DC charge rate of 175kW, and an AC charging rate of 11kW.It has a big boot and a front cargo area under the bonnet, which add up to almost 700-litres.The interior features a minimalist design like most new electric cars. There is a big 15.6-inch tablet-style central display and a medium-sized 12.3-inch digital driver display.It is capable of over-the-air updates, which applies software improvements to the car in the same way your smartphone updates.It starts at the equivalent of about $55,000 in Taiwan, and it would be very competitive at a similar price in Australia.Another option of a Foxtron-sourced car for Mitsubishi is the Bria compact SUV. It is smaller than the Cavira, but has plenty going for it.The Bria is offered in two variants, both with a 57.7kWh LFP battery delivering a claimed range of up to 516km.One version is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 171kW. The other has a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 299kW. The latter can do the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 3.9 seconds.We’ll know more about Mitsubishi’s first Foxtron-based model in the coming months.

Mitsubishi's plans to tackle BYD and Chery have just been revealed.The Japanese giant is planning to introduce 13 new models, including five hybrid and five plug-in hybrid models over the next five years. This could have huge implications for the brand in Australia, especially as it battles tough impending New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines. More electrified vehicles on sale could help ease those pressures. Mitsubishi Australia has been contacted for comment to see if there are any plans for these models to launch Down Under. The incoming Pajero is one of these new models, but it is just the beginning of a comprehensive shake-up from the brand. It will launch a small SUV, a compact SUV, two other undefined SUVs as well as a new ute, among other models falling into the off-road product plan.Additionally, there will be two new electric SUVs, with a pick-up and two Kei (Japanese city-class) cars also being planned. The brand also detailed some of its key weaknesses stating there was “significant room for improvement” required across the board. It identified the challenges for Mitsubishi in achieving differentiation to other brands - something which has become an increasingly big issue with the rise of Chinese carmakers.Brands such as BYD and Chery have introduced many models posing direct competition to Mitsubishi, but at much cheaper prices.“We will build a line-up that embodies our brand, centred on the off-road product group and ASEAN product group,”  “At the same time, regarding electrification, while we will continue to utilize collaboration models for EVs, we will focus our in-house development on HEVs and PHEVs.“Going forward, Mitsubishi Motors will focus on product segments where we have strengths, refine differentiated product characteristics that set us apart from competing brands, including Chinese brands, and establish a unique position in the automotive industry.”The return of the Pajero 4WD in Australia is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year, and appears to be the first of this new era for Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi is going all-in on its legendary Pajero.The brand has only just confirmed the beefy four-wheel drive is making a return this year, but has now dropped another bombshell that’ll have urban and rural 4WD enthusiasts champing at the bit.Mitsubishi just presented its mid to long term strategy, and buried in the slideshow was a new Pajero series.The official transcript for the presentation read: “In addition to the "Pajero" to be launched this year as a model that embodies the DNA of Mitsubishi Motors-ness, we will introduce additional new models going forward as part of the 'Pajero' series.”The most obvious model to make a comeback would be the mini Pajero. It is not known whether this would use a rugged ladder frame like the incoming Pajero - which is based on the Triton ute - or use an existing SUV platform for a more on-road bias.Last year Japanese magazine Best Car, which is known for its well placed sources in the country’s car industry, broke news that a mini Pajero was in the works.Best Car stated the Mini Pajero project was believed to be dead, but the success of the Delica Mini van has inspired the company to apply the same principle to one of its most storied nameplates.The belief is the mini Pajero would be built on the shared Nissan and Mitsubishi kei car platform that spawns vehicles such as the Nissan Roox, Mitsubishi eK and aforementioned Delica Mini.That points to micro dimensions at less than 3400mm long and 1480mm wide and a hybrid set-up with no more than 47kW.The Pajero project doesn’t stop there, with the slideshow depicting three models.The other could be a shorter wheelbase three door version of the full-size Pajero.This again would give it a point of difference to big name rivals such as the Toyota Prado, Nissan Patrol and Ford Everest.There are no other details currently, but the plan is for the 2030s, so we won’t see any of these models until next decade.A lot can change in that time, but what we do know is the full-size Pajero will be here before the end of 2026.We haven’t seen it in full yet, with it to be properly revealed in the coming months but we have already spied it testing in Australia.The new Pajero has blocky proportions similar to the incoming Nissan patrol. It is based on the Triton ute, so it has a rugged ladder frame ideal for off-roading. You can expect it to tow 3500kg, too.Odds on it will use the same 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that powers the triton and makes 150kW and 470Nm.

It is now clear what Mitsubishi has gained from allowing its Triton to become the base for the new Navara in Australia - Nissan will allow it to produce an American pick-up based on its upcoming next-gen Frontier.To be built alongside the Nissan in America, the new Mitsubishi will arrive alongside a planned overhaul to the Frontier due in 2028 with a new platform expected to also underpin Nissan’s next-gen XTerra 4x4 for the American market.Current information surrounding the next-gen Nissan platform suggests it could lean into both V6 power (similar to the incoming Patrol SUV) and also spawn a plug-in hybrid variant.For Mitsubishi, this is part of a wider strategy to split its model range in two as it searches for a new identity in a realigned Renault/Nissan alliance.It will split its range in two - with one range of models (like the XForce, Xpander and Destinator) focused on South East Asian (ASEAN) markets, and the other focused on higher margin markets Australia and the US, which Mitsubishi dubs the ‘Off-road group’.This realignment will see a total of 13 new models launched by 2031, seven of which will be for the off-road group. We know of at least three new models - this Frontier-based pick-up, the just-announced new-generation Pajero based on the Triton, and the long-hinted next-generation Delica people mover based on the Delica D:X Concept shown in 2023.Mitsubishi’s local GM of Product Strategy and PR Bruce Hampel told CarsGuide the brand was considering its options for the over-3500GVM category at the launch of its Aussie-upgraded Triton Raider, but it seems unlikely this would include a completely new American-sourced model.Instead, he suggested Mitsubishi was considering either factory or a licensed local upgrade for something a bit more heavy duty than what the Triton range currently offers.In addition, it seems more likely Nissan won’t be building its American-market Frontier in right-hand drive as part of its new ladder-frame platform overhaul, instead suggesting it would choose to import the Chinese-built Frontier Pro model as a Navara/Triton alternative as a plug-in hybrid exclusive to Australia.It would be well positioned to be more competitively priced, with the capability of the GWM Cannon Alpha while chasing the breakthrough success of the BYD Shark 6.In the meantime, Mitsubishi will have its hands full in Australia as it plots the launch of its next-generation Pajero full-size SUV as a new rival to the Toyota Prado, and the launch of its fully electric joint-venture SUV with Taiwan’s Foxconn, both due before the end of 2026.Locally, Mitsubishi has felt the impact of more affordable Chinese brands encroaching on its turf, with the brand down over 25 per cent this year. However, there are promising signs for the Japanese giant, with its Triton sales up healthy percentages year-on-year as welcome updates flow through and new variants are added to its line-up.Interestingly the brand is acutely aware of the challenges it faces across the disparate markets it plays in, even showing a slide which plotted its market positioning off-set against the “market-entry difficulty for Chinese OEMs” highlighting Australia as a ‘turn around market’ with high perceived brand value for Mitsubishi, but a low bar-to-entry for affordable Chinese rivals.

Mitsubishi has confirmed its performance ambitions for the Triton - and perhaps even its upcoming Pajero - won’t end with the locally-tuned Triton Raider, as it gears up for a long-teased Ralliart revival.Mitsubishi’s local GM of Product Strategy and PR Bruce Hampel said: “We’ve got aspirations to go a step higher again in the future if this thing proves to be successful.”Hampel said that “step higher” would be for both price and capability, and would “bring back some of that more emotional brand heritage”.He’s likely talking about Mitsubishi’s long-dormant Ralliart performance name, which may hinge on the success of a car like the Triton Raider. The company’s Japanese HQ had a close interest in the Triton Raider to gage the taste for a higher-priced Triton.“There are a lot of eyes in Japan that are eagerly following the progress of this program, or have been following it since we started. But now that we’re at the point where we’re on sale, they’ll be reviewing what’s happening with an eye to understand whether this type of model, which is new for Mitsubishi using a second stage modification process, is something that they can entrust their distributorships with to deliver successfully with local expertise.“When it’s successful, there are going to be opportunities to go further and expand more, both within Australia and potentially into other global markets as well,” Hampel said.The first port-of-call for the Premcar tuned Raider could be New Zealand with an eye to going even further in the future.The Premcar-tuned Triton Raider is a significant overhaul and the new flagship for the ute’s range in Australia. It includes beefed-up suspension with custom-developed shock absorbers, an increase in ride height, a larger profile all-terrain wheel and tyre package, a 20mm overall increase in width, and various genuine accessories added on to increase the visual appeal.It costs from $74,990, moving Triton into unforeseen pricing territory, a $9400 step-up from the previously range-topping GSR trim level.So what would it take for a Ralliart model to earn its place at an even higher price-point than that? Hampel has some thoughts.“We stopped short of putting the Ralliart badge on this vehicle because we were mindful of what customer expectations are of the Ralliart brand," he said.“And the Raider, while we expect it to resonate very well with customers, it’s more typical of what customers do with typical aftermarket modifications to create the style of vehicle they will then go and modify further.“We didn’t feel it was quite worthy of the Ralliart branding. But we do have alignment with Mitsubishi Motors to continue the study and to reinstate the Ralliart brand in Australia and re-install it, properly, globally as well.“So we’re in constant discussion with them and working on those next-level programs but we’ve got to prove what we can do, and what we’ve done so far.”One thing Hampel confirmed was there would be no Ralliart without more power than is currently on offer from the Triton’s 2.4-litre turbo diesel (150kW/470Nm).“Ralliart needs more uniqueness to the vehicle in terms of its appearance, higher levels of suspension sophistication, and ideally more performance from the powertrain,” he said.“The engine is the most difficult one to not have fully done by the manufacturer, with the extensive durability testing, and it’s very expensive to go through that whole process.“Yes, Premcar can do it, but it comes at a significant cost, so to do that you really need global behind us with their view to a global market with that kind of product.”As to what that could look like? Hampel pointed to a potential hybrid solution.“With the change to electrified options as well, that opens up a different path to having a step-up in performance level,” he said.“As we transition into HEVs, PHEVs, and ultimately BEVs and these types of vehicles we could use electrification as the differentiator.”Next for Mitsubishi in Australia will be the long-awaited arrival of the next-generation ground-up Pajero 4WD, and a fully electric small SUV from its joint-venture with Taiwan’s Foxconn, both due to be on-sale before the end of 2026.